The US just intercepted an encrypted Iranian transmission that may have activated sleeper cells around the world, and law enforcement is on high alert

The United States has intercepted an encrypted transmission from Iran that officials believe could be an “operational trigger” meant to activate “sleeper assets” around the world. This has put law enforcement agencies on high alert. The development comes as the conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran continues to grow.

According to The Independent, the intercepted communications are believed to be of Iranian origin. The message was sent shortly after the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on February 28. Officials are concerned the transmission may be intended to activate or give instructions to pre-positioned sleeper assets operating outside Iran.

The alert specifically noted the “sudden appearance of a new station with international rebroadcast characteristics,” which was flagged as warranting heightened situational awareness. The U.S. is urging law enforcement to increase monitoring of suspicious radio frequencies. The alert also noted there is currently “no operational threat tied to a specific location.”

Sleeper cells are a long-standing concern for US officials whenever tensions rise with Iran

Sleeper assets, or sleeper cells, are spies or operatives who live quietly in other countries, often blending in for years, waiting for a signal to activate them. The conflict with Iran escalated sharply on February 28, when U.S. and Israeli military airstrikes hit Iran, killing dozens of Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was quickly named as his successor.

Since those strikes, the conflict has expanded widely. Iran has retaliated against both Israel and U.S. military bases and allies across the region, with strikes and drone attacks targeting at least 10 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. 

Iranian forces have also targeted U.S. assets or bases in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. At least 1,230 people have been killed in Iran, and seven U.S. service members have also lost their lives. This is not the first time U.S. authorities have raised the alert level for potential Iranian sleeper cell activity. 

Last June, after Trump ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear sites without congressional approval, there was a similar increase in vigilance from law enforcement. The move drew pushback from both parties, who pushed for greater accountability.

President Trump recently commented on the state of the conflict, saying he believes the U.S. and Israeli campaign in Iran could conclude sooner than he originally expected. He stated that the war is “very complete, pretty much,” pointing to Iran’s lack of a navy, communications, and air force. 

Trump had previously boasted about Iran’s military being wiped out just days into the war, rating the operation “12 to 15 out of 10.” He also said the U.S. is now “very far” ahead of the four to five-week timeline he had previously given for ending the conflict.