Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Recently, Iran was said to be activating Sleeper Cells as a form of counter-attack for the United States attack several days ago.
This heightened vigilance was based on intelligence indicating the presence of encrypted communications believed to originate from Iran. These transmissions allegedly served as operational triggers for sleeper assets stationed abroad, raising speculation about counter-plans or covert operations.
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However, what are sleeper cells? It is a term referring to enemy agents or terrorists who live inconspicuously among civilians in a target area.
They lead ordinary daily lives and do not arouse suspicion until they are activated by a controller or other authority.
At this point of activation, sleeper cells can carry out a variety of covert operations, ranging from espionage and data theft to extreme acts of violence such as suicide bombings or other forms of terrorism.
Knows More About Sleeper Cells
A “sleeper cell” refers to a terrorist group or secret agent whose members hide and operate covertly in an area, awaiting orders to act.
They remain inactive or “sleeper” until they receive specific instructions or find the right opportunity to act.
The concept has been around for a long time, with the term “sleeper agent” appearing in 1948 and “sleeper cell” since at least 1968, with its use increasing after the attacks of September 11, 2001.
Another definition is that a sleeper cell is an enemy agent who infiltrates a target country, obtains a job and identity, and then blends into everyday life as a normal citizen.
They do not communicate with their sponsor or other agents, and do not seek information beyond that which is publicly available, until they receive a prearranged signal from their sponsor.
The key difference from undercover agents is that sleeper cells remain inactive for very long periods of time, waiting for a specific trigger.
The primary objectives of sleeper cell operations can vary, including espionage to gather sensitive information, sabotage of critical infrastructure, or committing acts of terrorism to create chaos and fear.
Their organizational structure is often part of a clandestine cell system, where each cell consists of a small number of individuals who have little or no information about the organization's assets outside their own cell.
Alleged Activation of Iranian Sleeper Cells in March 2026
In March 2026, several news reports indicated serious concerns about the potential activation of Iranian sleeper cells.
The United States reportedly intercepted encrypted communications believed to originate from Iran, which may have served as "operational triggers" for "sleeper assets" abroad.
These transmissions were broadcast internationally shortly after the death of Iran's former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28.
While the exact content of the transmissions cannot be confirmed, the emergence of these new stations with international rebroadcast characteristics "warranted heightened situational awareness" and may have been intended to activate or instruct pre-positioned sleeper assets.
The FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security have raised their vigilance against Iran-Hezbollah terror plots in the US, as experts warn of the potential activation of Iranian sleeper cells across the West amid ongoing US-Israeli military action.
In response to retaliatory threats, Iran has previously threatened to activate sleeper cells in the US in response to any attack.
Security has been increased in London, and an SAS team has reportedly been relocated to London amid concerns that Iranian sleeper cells in the UK could launch a series of terrorist attacks.
Additionally, Qatar also announced the arrest of 10 suspects said to be part of two cells operating for Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, with seven tasked with spying on vital military facilities and three for sabotage operations.