A report in The Wall Street Journal claims Israeli hackers infiltrated a popular Iranian prayer app, gaining access to millions of phones. As part of a broader cyber campaign, Israel reportedly sent messages to Iranian military personnel and IRGC members urging them to defect and oppose the regime.
The operation, tied to the wider “Roaring Lion” campaign in late February–early March 2026, targeted the BadeSaba prayer app, which has over 5 million downloads. The breach is considered unprecedented in modern warfare and highlights the growing role of cyber operations alongside traditional military action.
INTELLIGENCE IMPLICATIONS
The choice of a religious app was strategic. Users are more likely to include individuals connected to Iran’s security apparatus, military, and IRGC.
