Iranian officials criticized for wearing smartwatches amid security risks

by@IranIntl_En

Summary

Senior Iranian military and security officials have come under scrutiny for wearing smartwatches, which critics argue undermine security protocols amid ongoing threats from adversaries like Israel. The images, shared by commentator Ali Gholhaki, depict Gholamreza Jalali, head of the Passive Defense Organization, Reza Farahi from the Defense Ministry, and the recently deceased Ali Shamkhani, who was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike in February 2026. Gholhaki emphasized that smartwatches pose significant risks due to their ability to transmit location and activity data, a concern highlighted by a prior directive from Iran's Cyber Security Command that banned such devices after realizing they could facilitate targeted assassinations. This controversy reflects broader intelligence lapses in Iranian security practices, particularly given that bodyguards were often exempt from device restrictions, allowing enemies to track high-ranking officials.

Analysis

Reza Farahi: Reza Farahi serves as a Defense Ministry official in Iran. He is shown wearing a smartwatch in photographs posted online that have ignited debate within Iranian security circles about device usage by senior personnel. The images tie directly into broader concerns over electronic vulnerabilities exploited in past targeted operations. Ali Gholhaki: Ali Gholhaki is a conservative commentator with connections to Iran's security establishment and is described by some outlets as close to parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf. He posted the smartwatch images on X, sparking the current row and linking the issue to repeated intelligence failures against Israel and the United States. Gholhaki has advocated for stricter security protocols and a postwar inquiry into past lapses. Ali Shamkhani: Ali Shamkhani previously served as secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. The posted images include him wearing a smartwatch, highlighting ongoing discussions about security lapses despite his death in US-Israeli airstrikes on February 28 at the outset of the current conflict. He had earlier survived an Israeli strike in June 2025. Gholamreza Jalali: Gholamreza Jalali heads Iran's Passive Defense Organization, the government body responsible for protecting the country's critical infrastructure. In the current news, he appears in recently circulated images wearing a smartwatch, prompting internal criticism over security risks given Israel's history of tracking Iranian officials via electronic devices. Jalali defended the device by comparing it to ordinary smart televisions when questioned by reporters. Device risks: Smartwatches can transmit location and activity data via GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or paired phones, with some models including microphones and other sensors that raise security concerns. Intelligence lapses: Iran's Cyber Security Command previously banned officials from using devices connected to public networks after concerns that mobile tracking enabled targeted assassinations. Bodyguard exemptions: Bodyguards and drivers for senior officials were often exempt from strict device bans, allowing adversaries to locate commanders through their phones even during secure meetings.

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