According to the British Financial Times, research institutions and informed officials reported that the Iranian Government had used known loopholes in the global telecommunications network to track the location of United States military personnel in the Middle East during the preparatory phase leading up to the Iranian war and in the early stages of the conflict.
Involving SS7 Communications Agreements
Reports indicate that Iran uses Signaling Systems 7, or SS7. The agreement is long-standing for interconnection between the 2G and 3G networks and is responsible for the global transfer of calls and text messages from users.
SS7 has long been considered by the security industry to be structurally flawed. With appropriate access, the parties may identify the area where the mobile phone is located or even cross-border tracking.
We can locate bases and hotels.
According to the Mobile Surveillance Monitor study cited in the report, as well as anonymous government officials, Iran has used this approach to locate United States military personnel stationed in Iraq, Bahrain and other Middle East countries.
The locations identified include not only military bases but also hotels occupied by United States personnel. This has enabled the Iranian side to better position its targets and then conduct a strike.
Communication security risks are receiving renewed attention
Reports mention that intelligence agencies have long used SS7 deficiencies to track mobile phone activities abroad. The operation was considered to be a continuation of a similar practice, with the goal shifting to the deployment of United States forces in the Middle East conflict.
The attacks have resulted in numerous injuries. The report did not disclose additional technical details, but the incident raised renewed external concerns about the security of the old communications infrastructure, particularly in the context of military-geographical conflicts, where civilian mobile networks could be used for intelligence-gathering and targeting.