The terrorist threat looms once again in the West, as American security services warn of the possibility that Iran may have activated “sleeper cells” in various countries. According to an ABC News report, U.S. authorities detected encrypted communications believed to originate from Iran that may function as an “operational activation signal” for covert agents or terrorist cells operating outside the country.
Encrypted message after Khamenei’s death – What the ABC News report reveals
The message was detected by American intelligence services shortly after the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, on February 28 in an American-Israeli attack.
According to a federal alert sent to law enforcement agencies and cited by ABC News, the transmission was encrypted and appeared to be directed at “hidden recipients” who possess the necessary decryption key.
As stated in the alert, the message could be “intended for the activation or provision of instructions to pre-established sleeper agents operating outside their country of origin.”
Authorities note that the transmission is “most likely of Iranian origin.”
Despite the concerns, the warning emphasizes that currently “there is no operational threat connected to any specific location.” However, American authorities are calling on security services to increase surveillance of suspicious radio frequencies, as the message was transmitted through encrypted radio communications that were retransmitted internationally.
The alert points out that “the sudden appearance of a new station with international retransmission characteristics requires heightened vigilance.”
The so-called “sleeper cells” are noted to consist of agents or members of terrorist networks who live for years in other countries without attracting attention, until they receive orders to activate.
U.S. authorities had already strengthened monitoring of potential Iranian cells since last June, when President Donald Trump ordered strikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities.
Fears of potential attacks increased following the commencement of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28.
