Israel Strikes Iran Leaders Using Bodyguards’ Mobile Phones: NYT Report Reveals Security Breach
By DAYO ADESULU
Israel strikes Iran leaders by exploiting a major security lapse involving their bodyguards’ mobile phones, killing top generals and nuclear scientists, according to a New York Times report.
Israel Strikes Iran Leaders: A Devastating First Blow
According to a New York Times investigation published on Saturday, August 30, 2025, Israel successfully eliminated some of Iran’s most senior political and military leaders, as well as nuclear scientists, by exploiting a surprising vulnerability: the mobile phones of their bodyguards and drivers.
The revelation sheds new light on how Israel’s military intelligence pulled off one of the most precise and crippling campaigns against Iran in decades.
In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched a coordinated wave of strikes on Iran, targeting high-ranking officials. Those killed included:
- Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, Commander of the Revolutionary Guards
- Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of the Armed Forces
- Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Leader of Iran’s missile program
The strikes left Tehran paralyzed for hours, as its top leadership struggled to regroup.
How Mobile Phones Betrayed Iranian Officials
While Iran’s senior leaders carefully avoided using smartphones, their security details were less disciplined. Guards and drivers frequently carried mobile phones, unknowingly leaving digital trails that exposed sensitive movements.
A former Iranian strategist admitted that this oversight gave Israel a critical opening. Even worse, some security guards posted updates on social media, further aiding Israeli surveillance.
Ironically, Iran had increased protection for its leaders before the war, deploying larger security entourages. But with more guards came more devices to track, turning security measures into vulnerabilities.
As one Israeli defense official explained, “The reliance on numerous bodyguards became a weakness that worked in our favor.”
Bunker Strike: Technology Turns the Tide
Following the assassinations, Tehran ordered guards to abandon mobile phones and rely on walkie-talkies. Yet compliance was inconsistent.
On June 16, Israel reportedly tracked signals leading to a secret bunker meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. A strike followed.
- President Masoud Pezeshkian was injured in the leg.
- Several guards were killed.
- Senior leaders narrowly escaped.
Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, now head of the Revolutionary Guards, later admitted:
“The enemy gets most of its intelligence through technology, satellites, and electronic data. They can find people, hear voices, capture images, and zoom in on precise locations.”
Impact of Israel’s Targeted Campaign
By the end of the 12-day conflict, Israel claimed responsibility for killing:
- Dozens of senior Iranian officials
- At least 11 nuclear scientists
Experts described the operation as the biggest blow to Iran’s leadership since the Iran-Iraq war.
Iran retaliated with missile and drone salvos, killing dozens of Israelis. However, the conflict ended on June 24, under a negotiated ceasefire.
Iran’s Crackdown and Regional Fallout
In the aftermath, Tehran launched sweeping crackdowns on suspected informants, executing several accused of aiding Israel.
Meanwhile, Western intelligence agencies credited Israel’s success to years of groundwork by Mossad and Military Intelligence, which had invested heavily in electronic surveillance capabilities.
Iran continues to insist it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, despite enriching uranium beyond civilian needs. Israel, however, maintains that Tehran is edging closer to weaponization, framing its strikes as a pre-emptive defense.
Global Reactions and Rising Tensions
Diplomatic efforts to restrain Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain stalled. Just last week, Britain, France, and Germany triggered a UN “snapback” sanctions mechanism, citing Iranian violations of the 2015 nuclear deal.
Iran responded with fresh threats, warning of retaliation. The Middle East now faces heightened uncertainty, as both Tehran and Jerusalem prepare for the next phase of confrontation.
Conclusion
The Israel strikes on Iran leaders, enabled by the bodyguards’ mobile phone security breach, demonstrate how technology has reshaped modern warfare. What began as a routine reliance on mobile communication turned into a fatal vulnerability for Iran’s most powerful officials.
With sanctions tightening, diplomacy faltering, and Israel’s intelligence edge on display, the region remains on a knife’s edge.
