A leaked diplomatic transcript has revealed that Hungary offered to share intelligence with Iran regarding the sophisticated pager attacks that targeted Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon in September 2024. The outreach, which occurred shortly after the explosions, raises significant questions about Budapest’s geopolitical standing and its paradoxical role as one of Israel’s most steadfast allies in Europe.
According to a government transcript of a call conducted on September 30, 2024, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto informed his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, that Hungary’s intelligence services had already initiated contact and intended to share all information gathered during their investigation into the incident. The document, which has been verified by a Western intelligence agency, suggests a level of cooperation with Tehran that contradicts Hungary’s public diplomatic alignment.
The offer came in the wake of the September 17 attacks, during which thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded simultaneously across Lebanon. The coordinated strikes resulted in at least 12 deaths and wounded nearly 3,000 people, marking one of the most unconventional intelligence operations in recent history.
The Hungarian Connection and the Pager Investigation
Hungary was unexpectedly drawn into the global spotlight following the attacks. A Taiwanese company, whose branding appeared on the devices, claimed the pagers had been manufactured by a Hungarian firm under license. This sparked immediate international scrutiny into whether Budapest had any role—witting or unwitting—in the supply chain of the compromised devices.
During the September 30 call, Szijjarto worked aggressively to distance his government from the operation. In the transcript, he is quoted as telling Araghchi that the pagers “are not produced in Hungary, they have never been to Hungary and no Hungarian company has never been related with these pagers physically. So we don’t have anything to do with it!”
Araghchi responded with gratitude for the outreach, stating he was “very grateful for you doing all of this.” This exchange indicates that while Hungary denied any involvement in the attack’s execution, it was willing to act as an information conduit for Iran, the primary backer of Hezbollah.
A Diplomatic Paradox: The ‘Rock’ of Support
The revelation that Hungary offered Iran intel on the Hezbollah pager attack sits uneasily alongside Budapest’s official foreign policy. Hungary has consistently positioned itself as one of Israel’s most reliable supporters within the European Union, frequently voting with the United States in international forums when other EU member states abstain.
This closeness is evident at the highest levels of leadership. Just last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a strong endorsement of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of the country’s upcoming elections, describing the leader as having “been like a rock.”
Similarly, the United States has maintained a visible display of support for the Orbán administration. During a recent visit to Budapest, U.S. Vice President JD Vance appeared at a pro-Orbán rally, stating he was in the city “to aid him in this campaign cycle.”
The discrepancy between these public alliances and the private offer to Tehran has prompted concern among Western officials. A former White House official noted that while Hungary may have been attempting to lower tensions with Iran following the attack, such a move runs counter to its stated pro-Israel policy.
Multi-Vector Diplomacy and Strategic Ambiguity
Analysts suggest that Hungary’s actions may be part of a broader “multi-vector” diplomatic strategy. Under Viktor Orbán, Budapest has carefully maintained ties with a diverse and often conflicting array of global powers, including Russia—a key ally of Iran—and the United States.
| Partner/Entity | Public Stance/Relationship | Reported Private Action |
|---|---|---|
| Israel | Strong strategic ally; “Rock” of support | Offering intel to Israel’s primary adversary |
| United States | Close alignment on key UN votes | Maintaining ties with sanctioned regimes |
| Iran | Official EU-level tensions | Intelligence sharing offer on Hezbollah attack |
| Russia | Ongoing diplomatic and energy ties | Coordination within the “East-opening” policy |
This approach allows Hungary to position itself as a mediator or a unique bridge between East and West, but it too creates friction with intelligence partners. The offer to share findings from a sensitive investigation into an Israeli operation with the Iranian government is seen by some as a breach of diplomatic norms among Western allies.
For Western intelligence agencies, the concern is not merely the offer itself, but the potential for sensitive investigative methods to be exposed to a hostile actor. The fact that the transcript was verified by a Western agency suggests that the communication was monitored, adding another layer of tension to Hungary’s relations with its NATO allies.
As Hungary prepares for its upcoming elections, the government’s ability to balance these contradictory relationships will be closely watched. The next major checkpoint for Budapest’s international standing will be the official election results next week, which will determine whether Orbán continues this high-wire act of diplomacy.
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