The top U.S. commander for the Middle East has issued a warning to troops that sharing videos online via cellphones could aid Iran in targeting American military bases. Sources told Reuters that some personnel already deployed might soon be instructed to surrender their phones.
Any restrictions on mobile device use would introduce a new challenge for the thousands of U.S. troops in the region, many of whom still depend on their phones to stay in touch with loved ones and reassure them of their safety.
Admiral Brad Cooper, in a previously undisclosed letter, highlighted how Iran benefits from real-time insights into its strikes’ outcomes by analyzing news reports or posts by journalists that include “reactions, photos, and footage from the cellphones of our troops.”
“The immediate, unavoidable cost of this open-source intelligence could be measured in the lives of American service members and civilians living in the Gulf,” Cooper, who heads U.S. Central Command, wrote on July 28, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters.
He urged troops to “redouble our focus on operational security” but did not specify particular measures in the memo.
This warning emphasizes the increasing tension between real-time war reporting—often supported by satellite imagery and first-person accounts—and the military’s effort to limit information that could help Iran target U.S. forces.
In Jordan, which has frequently been targeted by Iranian strikes, some soldiers have been told their phones will be confiscated in the coming days, according to two sources familiar with the situation. A third source suggested this move is under consideration due to security concerns but did not confirm it as certain.
When asked for comment, U.S. Central Command spokesperson Captain Timothy Hawkins said, “The message is a general reminder to our service members about the importance of operational security. This is one of many ways Admiral Cooper has communicated operational priorities.”
Running for Shelter During Iran Attack
A recent online video shows U.S. soldiers rushing for safety during a deadly Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on July 17. Cooper referenced the footage in his letter, noting it was captured using Meta smart glasses with an integrated camera.
“Video taken from a service member’s Meta glasses was posted on Instagram, showing how and where they evacuated to a bunker amid missile and drone strikes,” Cooper stated.
Iran might find it difficult to accurately assess the success or failure of its strikes without such accounts, Cooper explained, as U.S. electronic jamming and other tactics in war zones obscure strike outcomes.
“While Iran is aware that weapons were fired, they can’t tell if they missed by 50 meters, hit an empty tarmac, or successfully attacked a crowded target,” he said. “Detailed reports, descriptions, and analyses from news outlets essentially serve as Iran’s Battle Damage Assessment—free of charge.”
Since February 28, around 18 U.S. service members have died in conflicts with Iran, and more than 600 have been wounded. These casualties have deepened American concerns over a potential war, which only about a third of the U.S. population supports.
Democratic lawmakers are demanding more information about the conflict, including data on damage to U.S. infrastructure at bases—covering radar towers, barracks, and aircraft hangars—and are calling for the release of a U.S. military investigation into an incident involving a suspected strike on a girls’ school in Iran, first reported by Reuters at the war’s outset.
Is Cell Phone Seizure on the Horizon?
Rules governing cell phone use among deployed troops differ widely across military branches. Many service members are required to lock away their phones, and in highly sensitive missions—like special operations—cell phones can even be banned altogether.
The possibility of confiscating phones has caused anxiety among some families, who are already on edge due to Iranian claims of deadly strikes on bases across the Middle East over recent months.
U.S. officials have long warned that certain mobile applications, such as fitness trackers, could be exploited by adversaries to gather location data and aid in targeting. Reuters reported in May that commercially available location data from smartphones has been used to monitor or target U.S. forces.
At the same time, the Pentagon has been cautious about releasing detailed information about Iranian attacks or incidents involving U.S. casualties, citing operational security.
Cooper emphasized that details about strikes could help Iran plan subsequent, potentially more destructive attacks.
“Publicly sharing detailed information can serve as a green light for Iran to launch secondary attacks that could be far more devastating,” he said.