- By Ajeet Kumar
- Sat, 21 Jun 2025 04:31 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
As tensions between Iran and Israel soar, Iranians living abroad are facing a mysterious problem- when they try to call their loved ones in Iran, they hear strange robotic voices instead of real people. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press, this began after Israeli airstrikes on Iran and during a major internet and phone blackout imposed by the Iranian government. Many families are now scared and frustrated, unable to find out if their relatives are safe.
The issue began soon after the airstrikes, with callers hearing a voice calling itself "Alyssia" and speaking broken English. The robotic message replaces real conversations, leaving people feeling confused and alarmed- pointing fingers towards Israel's potential "psychological warfare".
What is Psychological warfare?
Psychological warfare is a strategy used to influence, confuse, or frighten people, usually during conflict, by targeting their thoughts, emotions, or behavior. Instead of using physical force, it uses messages, fear, or misleading information to:
- Weaken people's confidence
- Create confusion or panic
- Break trust between people and their leaders or allies
Could Be AI or Pre-Recorded Messages
Citing experts, it said the voice might come from simple artificial intelligence, a chatbot, or a pre-recorded message.However, no concrete evidence popped up until now which could ascertain for sure who is behind it. Some experts believe it's the Iranian government, while others believe it could be Israel using psychological tactics or psychological warfare. The messages are often strange, confusing, or unsettling, with no clear purpose.
(A man reacts as relatives and friends attend the funeral of four members of a family who were killed during a missile attack from Iran on Israel | REUTERS)
“It would be hard for anybody else to hack. Of course, it is possible it is Israeli. But I don’t think they have an incentive to do this,” Mehdi Yahyanejad, a tech entrepreneur and internet freedom activist, told AP.
Internet Blackouts Make It Worse
The Iranian government says it cut off internet and phone services to protect the country, but this has made it nearly impossible for people inside Iran to connect with the outside world. Since the government controls most phone and internet services, many Iranians abroad believe this is another way to control communication, especially in times of crisis.
People Feel Helpless
Some, like a woman named Ellie, have found creative ways to talk to family. She uses a friend near the Iran-Turkey border with two phones, one with a Turkish SIM card and one with an Iranian one, to connect the calls.
“The last time we spoke to her, we told her about the AI voice that is answering all her calls,” Ellie, whose family members are living in Iran told AP. “She was shocked. She said her phone hasn’t rung at all.” “The last time we spoke to her, we told her about the AI voice that is answering all her calls,” said Ellie. “She was shocked. She said her phone hasn’t rung at all.”
Elon Musk's satellite internet service, Starlink, has also been switched on in Iran, but only a few people have access to it, and using it is risky. For most people, these robotic messages, sometimes offering odd life advice or calming words, only add to the fear and helplessness, as they continue to wait for news from loved ones in a country under attack.
(With inputs from agency)