U.S. Intercepts Encrypted Iranian Communications, Possible Sleeper Cell Activation
The transmissions, detected shortly after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death on February 28, were relayed across multiple countries and encoded for recipients with specific decryption keys.
WASHINGTON – U.S. intelligence has intercepted encrypted communications believed to originate from Iran, potentially serving as an "operational trigger" for sleeper cells abroad, according to The Gateway Pundit reporting on a federal alert sent to law enforcement agencies.
The transmissions, detected shortly after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death on February 28, were relayed across multiple countries and encoded for recipients with specific decryption keys. While contents remain undetermined, the alert cites "preliminary signals analysis" indicating instructions for covert operatives avoiding internet or cellular networks. Law enforcement is urged to monitor suspicious radio-frequency activity, though no specific threats are identified.
This aligns with viral videos from late February and early March 2026 of a mysterious shortwave radio signal, described as Morse code-like or numbers station broadcasts in Persian (Farsi). According to ABC News and The Telegraph, the signal—unofficially designated V32—began on 7910 kHz USB on February 28, coinciding with the conflict's start. Amateur radio operators reported it transmitting strings of numbers daily around 02:00 and 18:00 UTC, possibly from a 10 kW transmitter in Iran. Speculation includes IRGC activation of sleeper cells, per NY Post and Reddit discussions, or CIA messages to agents inside Iran, as suggested by Daily Mail sources.
The alert emphasizes heightened awareness without tying to locations, amid broader U.S. warnings of Iranian retaliation risks.
To date, the military action—entering its thirteenth day—has involved over 2,000 strikes achieving air superiority, degrading nuclear and missile sites, sinking an Iranian warship, and eliminating key regime leaders, prompting Iranian retaliations including tanker attacks, drone strikes on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, and missile barrages on Gulf allies, with seven American service members killed. Reinforcements continue, with Trump projecting four to five weeks of targeted operations to secure U.S. and allied interests.