U.S. intelligence agencies are reviewing an encrypted communication believed to have originated inside Iran that may have been intended for covert operatives abroad, according to an alert reported by ABC News.
The message was described by officials as a possible “operational trigger” directed at what analysts refer to as sleeper assets — individuals embedded in foreign countries who maintain low profiles until receiving instructions.
The transmission was detected shortly after the reported killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike in Tehran on Feb. 28. Iranian authorities later elevated his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, to the position of supreme leader.
According to the intelligence alert, the encrypted signal was transmitted across multiple countries and flagged by U.S. monitoring systems. Analysts assessed that the communication was likely of Iranian origin and may have been intended for clandestine recipients who could decode the message using predetermined passcodes.
Officials said the transmission showed characteristics consistent with “international rebroadcast characteristics,” which can be used to distribute coded instructions over long distances without relying on internet-based communications.
The alert indicated that the transmissions resemble methods historically used to convey instructions to “covert operatives or sleeper assets” without relying on internet communications.
The signals could “be intended to activate or provide instructions to prepositioned sleeper assets operating outside the originating country,” the alert said, according to ABC News.
Concerns among security officials have increased regarding the potential presence of Iranian sleeper cells within the United States, especially as the conflict enters its second week.
Last year, the Daily Mail reported on what it termed a “passport pipeline” involving operatives linked to Iran traveling through Venezuela before reaching Western countries. This pathway could allow networks to establish a foothold close to the U.S.
Tensions have escalated as fighting intensifies between Iran, the United States, and Israel. Relations between Washington and Jerusalem have reportedly become strained after Israeli forces bombed Iranian oil depots. This action raised alarms among White House officials, who fear that such strikes could lead to an increase in gasoline prices for Americans.
Security experts caution that the threat could stem from both lone individuals sympathetic to Tehran and organized sleeper networks that are waiting for orders to act.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, former adviser to the Department of Homeland Security and Secret Service supervisor Charles Marino stated that the United States could be facing a “convergence” of threats.
“Is it possible you have 10, 15, 20 people in the country that are part of a cell that then go out and carry out simultaneous or near-simultaneous attacks? Yes,” Marino said.
He cautioned that terrorists aiming for the highest number of casualties would likely target “soft” locations, such as concerts, sporting events, public venues, and other crowded gatherings.
One significant concern is the upcoming World Cup, which has been classified as a National Special Security Event and is anticipated to attract large international crowds.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt praised President Trump’s military actions against Iran over the weekend, describing the administration’s efforts as “a resounding success” following what officials said were threats to U.S. security amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Leavitt made the remarks as the United States continues operations under Operation Epic Fury, a campaign aimed at Iranian missile facilities, nuclear program, and leadership.
“Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, the rogue Iranian terrorist regime is being absolutely crushed,” Leavitt said during a news briefing on Wednesday afternoon, adding that more than 2,000 targets have been hit so far. “Iran’s murderous, terrorist leaders are paying for their crimes against America — and they are paying in blood.”
Leavitt also said that Trump is “correcting decades of cowardice” regarding U.S. foreign policy towards Iran, adding that the current commander-in-chief is committed to eliminating the threat once and for all.
“President Trump is finally the man of action. President Trump does not bluff,” she said.