Ellie, a British-Iranian residing in the UK, experienced an unsettling situation when attempting to contact her mother in Tehran. Instead of her mother’s voice, a mechanical female voice greeted her, asking, “Who is calling?” This kind of interaction has become a common occurrence for Iranians living abroad, including several from the US and UK, following Israel’s recent airstrikes in Iran.
These individuals, preferring to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, reported receiving confusing and eerie messages like the one Ellie encountered. Experts speculate that the irregularities in communication could involve low-tech artificial intelligence or a predetermined message system redirecting international calls. There’s speculation about the involvement of the Iranian government in this operation, although one expert suggested the possibility of Israeli influence.
The current geopolitical climate, marked by Israel’s military activities targeting Iranian nuclear centres, has heightened anxiety among Iranian expatriates as they struggle to reach family members amid internet blackouts imposed by Tehran. This blackout complicates communication efforts, leaving many families cut off from crucial information. With her mother’s health declining due to lack of necessary medication, Ellie finds herself desperate and unable to relay vital information or advice.
From the voices reported, some contain odd phrases, and while most include English speech, at least one was heard in Farsi. A 30-year-old woman from New York, who faced similar robotic responses, labelled the experience as “psychological warfare,” highlighting the distress caused to those trying to connect with loved ones during such tumultuous times.
Colin Crowell, a former Twitter policy official, indicates that Iranian phone companies may be diverting calls to a default message that blocks completion, aiming to prevent misinformation and panic amid emergencies. This communication strategy echoes past government responses in crisis situations, reflecting the government’s cautious stance towards information dissemination.
Some Iranians abroad have found alternative methods to contact family, with a few even getting through using Turkish SIM cards to bypass the restrictions within Iran. However, many remain unable to connect, leading to a sense of helplessness and anxiety as voice messages filled with platitudes and irrelevant advice replace heartfelt conversations.
As the conflict continues and communication remains disrupted, these bizarre messages highlight the broader struggles faced by Iranians trying to maintain ties with their families amid grave uncertainties. With ongoing military actions and government surveillance complicating the situation further, the feelings of isolation and despair among the diaspora only intensify.