EXCLUSIVE: The IRGC is attempting to keep its iron grip on the Iranian people.

15:50, Thu, Mar 5, 2026 Updated: 15:50, Thu, Mar 5, 2026

IRAN-US-ISRAEL-WAR

IRGC uses SMS text messages to threaten civilian population of Iran (Image: Getty)

Iran’s murderous Revolutionary Guard are sending text messages to civilians warning them to stay in their homes or be shot dead in the street. The terrifying mass SMS campaign is designed to deter potential demonstrators from taking to the streets in a reprise of the January rebellion which is believed to have left 40,000 mainly young people dead.

Despite the ongoing surgical attacks on Tehran from the US and Israel, which have killed the so-called “supreme leader” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the top echelons of the Revolutionary Guard, the IRGC is proving harder to eliminate than many observers expected. Iran’s cyber-units are both advanced and experienced - they have not only closed down the internet in recent weeks but have now launched the new SMS campaign.

A source close to dissident “Resistance Units” on the ground in Tehran told Express.co.uk: “They are worried about dissent, they have seen what can happen and they are sending SMS to people to tell them to stay in their homes. And if they don’t they will face the same fate as the thousands who were shot dead in January.

“They (the IRGC) are worried about what comes after, when the bombings stop.

“There will be an armed insurrection led by the MEK (Mujahedin-e-Khalq, or People's Mujahedin Organization of Iran). The groundwork is done, it’s not unchartered land but this regime is so bloodthirsty, so violent.”

As the conflict entered its sixth day today Israel launched fresh strikes on Iran and Lebanon while explosions rang out in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

British travellers were also hit after a UK‑chartered rescue flight was unable to take off because of technical problems. The plane, due to leave Oman on Wednesday night, has now been pushed back to Thursday.

The crisis deepened at sea, with the Strait of Hormuz grinding to a halt after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned it would target any non‑Iranian ship attempting to pass. At least seven vessels have already been attacked. Analysts say a prolonged shutdown could send oil prices soaring towards $150 a barrel — more than double the pre-conflicy cost.

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In Washington a bill aimed at forcing President Trump to seek congressional approval for continued involvement was voted down in the Senate, leaving US policy unchanged.

Israel meanwhile has widened its campaign in Lebanon. The Israeli military said its airforce had carried out a series of “intelligence‑based” strikes on Hezbollah command centres in Beirut. According to the IDF, the targets included two Hezbollah operatives and key infrastructure linked to the group.