Iran Sent ‘Operational Trigger’ to Activate Sleeper Cells After Khamenei’s Death, US Intelligence Reveals

Iran may have issued a coded signal intended to activate covert operatives abroad after the death of its Supreme Leader, according to a report citing US intelligence alerts. The message, reportedly intercepted by Washington, has raised fresh concerns among American security agencies as tensions continue to escalate following the ongoing military confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

The development comes amid continuing airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets, alongside retaliatory actions by Iran and its regional allies. The conflict has expanded across several fronts, including attacks involving Hezbollah in Lebanon and strikes across parts of the Gulf.

Intercepted Signal Raises Concerns About Sleeper Assets

According to ABC News, US intelligence intercepted an encrypted message that may have been intended as an "operational trigger" to activate Iranian "sleeper assets" outside the country.

The coded transmission was reportedly sent shortly after the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28. Officials believe the signal could contain instructions meant for covert operatives positioned abroad.

A federal alert shared with law enforcement agencies warned that the message could "be intended to activate or provide instructions to prepositioned sleeper assets operating outside the originating country."

The message was encrypted and designed for "clandestine recipients" who possess the correct encryption key. Such transmissions are commonly used to pass instructions to "covert operatives or sleeper assets" without relying on conventional communication systems like the internet or mobile networks.

US intelligence agencies reportedly detected a broadcast station repeatedly transmitting the message across several countries.

"While the exact contents of these transmissions cannot currently be determined, the sudden appearance of a new station with international rebroadcast characteristics warrants heightened situational awareness," the memo said.

Officials added that there is "no operational threat tied to a specific location", but law enforcement agencies have been advised to increase monitoring of unusual radio-frequency signals.

US Officials Warn of Possible Retaliation

Security experts in the United States have expressed concern that the escalating war could lead to retaliatory attacks within American territory.

"If ever there's going to be a Hezbollah cell or a Hamas cell act in the United States in a violent way, it's now," Chris Swecker, a former assistant FBI director, told Fox News shortly after the conflict began.

Following US strikes on Iranian targets on February 28, FBI Director Kash Patel said additional security measures had been put in place. Writing on X, he stated that he had ordered "counterterrorism and intelligence teams to be on high alert and mobilise all assisting security assets needed".

US President Donald Trump also acknowledged the possibility of retaliation when asked about potential attacks on the American mainland.

"I guess ... We think about it all the time. We plan for it. But yeah, you know, we expect some things. Like I said, some people will die. When you go to war, some people will die."

Major US Cities Increase Security Patrols

Authorities in several major American cities have already responded by strengthening security arrangements.

Leaders in Los Angeles, Miami and New York have announced increased patrols and surveillance around sensitive locations. These include places of worship, schools and cultural centres that authorities believe could be vulnerable in case of retaliatory attacks.

The security measures come as the broader conflict in the Middle East continues to intensify, with military exchanges between Israel, Iran and allied groups spreading across multiple regions.