Entry of Pagers and Walkie-Talkies into Aircraft in Iran Banned; Aftershocks of Lebanon Explosions

Iranian domestic media reported on Saturday, October 21, that a few weeks after the deadly explosions of communication devices in Lebanon attributed to Israel, the Islamic Republic banned the entry of any pager and walkie-talkie devices into aircraft in Iran. According to Jafar Yazarlu, spokesman for the Iranian Aviation Organization, the entry of any electronic communication tools except for mobile phones 'into the cockpit or in checked baggage' is prohibited. This decision comes a few weeks after the explosion of pager and walkie-talkie devices belonging to Hezbollah members, which is supported by the Islamic Republic, resulting in 39 deaths. In these unprecedented and simultaneous attacks, which the Iranian government and Hezbollah blame on Israel, dozens were killed, and nearly three thousand Hezbollah members, along with Mojtaba Amani, the Islamic Republic's ambassador to Lebanon, were injured. Emirates Airlines based in Dubai also banned the entry of pager and walkie-talkie devices into its aircraft in early October. Regional tensions have escalated since the onset of the Gaza war last October, attracting pro-Islamic Republic groups from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Following a recent missile attack by the Islamic Republic on Israel, several airlines suspended their flights to Iran. On October 1, the Iranian government retaliated for the killing of its proxy militia leaders in the region and one of the senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guard by firing about 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. Following that attack, Israel promised to respond to this action by the Islamic Republic. According to Yoav Galant, Israel's Defense Minister, the country's response will be 'deadly, precise, and surprising.' Earlier, Reuters reported on Monday, October 2, citing several senior security officials of the Islamic Republic, that following the explosion of thousands of pager and walkie-talkie devices belonging to Hezbollah-affiliated individuals, the 'Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' ordered all its members to stop using any type of communication device. One security official stated that a large-scale operation by the 'IRGC' is underway to inspect all devices, not just communication equipment. An Iranian security official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, told Reuters that the Islamic Republic is concerned about the infiltration of Israeli agents, including Iranians whom the government claims are employed by Israel, and has initiated extensive investigations into its forces, especially mid-level and senior members of the Revolutionary Guard. The investigations include reviewing bank accounts both domestically and abroad, as well as the travel history of these individuals and their families. The security official did not provide details on how the Revolutionary Guard's 190,000 personnel communicate. He stated, 'We are currently using fully encrypted messaging systems.'