Israel Reportedly Hacked Major Iranian Prayer App to Encourage Defections

The cyber operation came as Israel and the U.S. launched strikes against Iranian targets.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 3:47pm

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Israel reportedly co-opted a popular Iranian prayer app called BadeSaba Calendar to send mass notifications urging defections from the Islamic regime. The app has over 5 million downloads, giving operators access to a vast domestic audience. Screenshots show notifications declaring 'help has arrived' and urging Iranian soldiers to abandon their posts as Israel and the U.S. launched strikes against Iranian military and leadership targets.

Why it matters

The breach of the trusted religious utility app is seen as a calculated psychological operation to bypass state-controlled media and deliver defection messaging directly to personal devices used by Iranian soldiers and civilians. It demonstrates Israel's cyber capabilities and the lengths it will go to undermine the Iranian regime.

The details

According to the Wall Street Journal, the BadeSaba Calendar app helps Iranian users track daily prayer times and religious observances. Screenshots posted online show the app was used to send Persian-language notifications declaring 'the era of the dictators is over' and urging Iranian troops to 'lay down your arms and join your people.' The cyber operation reportedly took place as Israel and the U.S. launched strikes against Iranian military and leadership targets, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

  • The cyber breach of the Iranian prayer app occurred on Saturday, March 2, 2026.
  • The joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign that resulted in Khamenei's death began prior to the app hack.

The players

Israel

The country that reportedly co-opted the Iranian prayer app to encourage defections from the regime.

BadeSaba Calendar

A popular Iranian prayer app with over 5 million downloads, which was reportedly hacked by Israel to send mass notifications urging defections.

Ali Khamenei

The Supreme Leader of Iran who was killed during the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President who confirmed Khamenei's death during the opening of the military operation.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State who briefed members of the bipartisan Gang of Eight prior to the operation.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This cyber operation demonstrates Israel's advanced capabilities to undermine the Iranian regime and deliver targeted messaging directly to Iranian citizens and soldiers, bypassing state-controlled media. It raises questions about the future of psychological warfare and the use of technology to encourage defections and resistance against authoritarian regimes.