“Life Is Full of Unexpected Surprises”: Mysterious Phone Messages Puzzle Iranians During Blackout

As Iran plunged into yet another nationwide internet blackout last week, people trying to reach loved ones inside the country were met with something deeply strange—and more than a little unsettling.

Instead of connecting with family or friends, callers from abroad were greeted by a robotic voice delivering a cryptic, feel-good message:

“Hello, and thank you for taking the time to listen,” the voice begins.
“Life is full of unexpected surprises… sometimes joyful, sometimes challenging. The key is to find the strength within to overcome these challenges.”
The message continues for nearly 90 seconds, encouraging the listener to close their eyes and picture a peaceful, happy place.

Confusion and Concern as the Messages Spread

Reports of this mysterious recording began circulating widely on Wednesday and Thursday—right after Iranian authorities imposed tight nationwide restrictions on internet access, citing vague “security concerns.”

With apps like WhatsApp blocked, many people abroad turned to traditional phone calls to reach those inside Iran. That’s when the strange messages began—only when calling mobile numbers, not landlines, and notably not heard when using internet-based apps.

For many Iranians, the bizarre voicemail was a red flag. Some assumed the recordings were the result of an Israeli cyberattack. Others were convinced the Iranian government was behind it.

Experts Weigh In: Government Interference Likely

According to Alp Toker, founder of NetBlocks, a group that tracks global internet governance, this kind of message is no accident. He believes it’s part of a broader censorship strategy by the Iranian regime.

“When the internet is cut, the phones need to go somewhere—and that’s often a fallback message,” Toker explained.
“Sometimes it’s an ad for vacation packages. Sometimes, it’s just nonsense. This one looks like it was slapped together quickly, using a basic text-to-speech system.”

Toker said it fits the profile of a national gateway-level voicemail, the kind used when a call can’t be completed. In this case, though, it appears someone manually configured the message, possibly using pre-AI automation tools.

A UK-based telecom expert who analyzed the recording told CNN the call appears to be “hijacked after the second ring,” suggesting interference at the network level—before the phone even connects. The expert requested anonymity, citing safety concerns.

No Official Word from Iran or Israel

So far, neither the Iranian nor Israeli government has commented on the mysterious messages.

What’s clear is that they surfaced during a time of heightened tension and tight information control. Iran has a long history of cutting internet access during political unrest or military conflict, and these recent disruptions were no different.

Internet Access Partially Restored, But Not Fully

By Saturday, NetBlocks reported that international internet access was partially restored in Iran after nearly 62 hours of severe disruption. Still, connectivity remains far below normal levels, making it difficult for people inside the country to freely communicate or access independent news.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency initially reported that full service would be back by 8 p.m. Saturday, citing the communications minister. But in a confusing twist, Tasnim later contradicted its own report—again quoting the same minister.

According to Iran’s communications ministry, Iranians abroad are now being told to use domestic messaging apps to contact their families—though these apps are widely seen as monitored or controlled by the regime.

A Pattern of Control

This isn’t the first time Iran has tightened the digital leash. During the nationwide protests of 2022, authorities shut down the internet multiple times to stifle dissent and limit outside exposure.

Now, with tensions rising again, both inside and outside the country, it appears the playbook hasn’t changed.