WhatsApp users report account lockouts after messaging contacts in Iran

A growing number of WhatsApp users are reporting sudden account lockouts after sending messages to contacts in Iran, raising concerns over potential surveillance or security vulnerabilities linked to the platform.

According to user reports, the issue begins shortly after initiating conversations with Iranian phone numbers. Users often receive strange replies, followed by an inability to log back into their accounts. WhatsApp displays messages such as “Try again in 1 hour,” which may later escalate to “Try again in 24 hours,” with no explanation for the suspension.

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While some users have been able to restore access by switching to WhatsApp Business or reinstalling the standard app, the risk of repeated lockouts persists, particularly for those who continue communicating with Iranian contacts.

The warnings come amid increased digital censorship in Iran, where authorities have banned numerous global messaging apps like Telegram. The clampdown on electronic communication has intensified alongside rising tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv.

Cybersecurity experts have yet to determine whether the issue is due to automated security triggers, coordinated cyberattacks, or WhatsApp’s internal monitoring systems. Until more is known, users are advised to exercise caution when initiating contact with numbers based in Iran.