‘Hello…Thank you for listening’: 'Mysterious' voice greets callers trying to reach Iran amid ongoing conflict

As Iran continues to grapple with a nationwide internet blackout following Israeli airstrikes, people trying to contact friends and family inside the country have encountered a strange new obstacle- pre-recorded, robotic voice messages replacing regular call connections, according to a CNN report.

In one recording obtained by CNN, a caller outside Iran expecting to hear a familiar voice was instead met with an unsettling automated message. The voice begins by thanking the caller for listening and then launches into a 90-second monologue about life’s surprises and the importance of inner strength. It even advises the listener to close their eyes and picture a peaceful, happy place. “Hello, and thank you for taking the time to listen,” the voice says, according to a caller. 

Multiple versions of these voice messages have been reported, but the one described by many callers appears to be the most commonly encountered by callers dialling Iranian mobile numbers on Wednesday and Thursday. Interestingly, the messages were only heard when calling mobile phones directly; landlines and app-based calls reportedly did not trigger the same recordings.

The phenomenon coincided with temporary restrictions on internet access across Iran, which the government said were due to national security concerns. With popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp down, many people abroad resorted to making direct phone calls to loved ones in Iran, only to be met with these unexpected and eerie messages.

Some experts suspect the recordings may be part of a broader effort by Iranian authorities to control communications during a period of heightened tension.

Meanwhile, Iran's foreign ministry said the US airstrikes on its nuclear facilities on Sunday showed that Washington "will stop at no illegality or crime" to support Israel.

"It has now become abundantly clear to all that the very regime which enjoys permanent membership in the Security Council is beholden to no principle or morality and will stop at no illegality or crime to serve the aims of a genocidal, occupying regime," the ministry said in a statement, referring to the United States and Israel respectively.