The top U.S. commander for the Middle East has warned troops that cellphone videos shared online can help Iran target American bases, and sources indicate that some deployed personnel could soon be ordered to surrender their phones. This potential measure would introduce a new layer of complexity for the thousands of U.S. service members in the region, many of whom rely on their phones to communicate with loved ones.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, stated in a July 28 letter that Iran benefits from near real-time intelligence on the success or failure of its strikes by monitoring news reports or online posts that include photos and footage from troops' cellphones. He wrote that the "direct, unavoidable cost of this open-source intelligence could be measured in the lives of American service members and civilian residents in targeted Gulf countries."
Cooper urged troops to "redouble our focus on operational security," though his letter did not specify concrete steps. The warning highlights the tension between immediate news reporting, often enhanced by satellite imagery and firsthand accounts, and the military's objective to limit information that could aid Iran in targeting U.S. forces.
In Jordan, a frequent target of Iranian strikes, some troops have been informed that their phones will be confiscated in the coming days, according to two sources familiar with the matter. A third source confirmed that such a move is under consideration due to operational security concerns, though not as a certainty.
U.S. Central Command spokesperson Captain Timothy Hawkins commented that the message was a "general reminder to our service members on the importance of maintaining operational security. This is one of many opportunities Admiral Cooper has used to convey operational priorities."
A video posted online this month, allegedly recorded by a U.S. service member during an Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on July 17, appears to have prompted Cooper's letter. He referenced footage captured on Meta smart glasses with a built-in camera, stating it was posted on Instagram and showed personnel evacuating to a bunker during an Iranian missile and drone attack.
Cooper explained that without such firsthand accounts, Iran would struggle to determine the effectiveness of its strikes, especially given U.S. military tactics like electronic jamming in war zones. "Iran knows the weapons were fired; however, their forces do not know if they missed by 50 meters, hit an empty tarmac, or successfully struck a crowded facility," he wrote. He added that detailed assessments published by news outlets effectively provide Iran with free Battle Damage Assessment (BDA).
As of the reporting, approximately 18 U.S. troops have died and over 600 have been wounded in the conflict with Iran, which began on Feb. 28. These casualties have amplified public concerns about the war.
Rules regarding cell phone usage for deployed troops can vary significantly. While phones are often stored away, and special operations forces may have them banned during sensitive missions, the potential confiscation of phones has caused anxiety among some military families. U.S. officials have previously warned that applications on mobile devices, such as fitness trackers, can be exploited for targeting purposes due to location data. Reuters reported in May that commercially available location data from smartphones has been used to target or surveil U.S. forces.
The Pentagon has maintained a policy of controlling information release due to operational security concerns, frequently declining to comment on Iran's attack claims or provide details on incidents resulting in troop injuries. Cooper emphasized that details on strikes can directly facilitate follow-up attacks by Iran, stating, "Detailed public disclosures can become an immediate green light for Iranian forces to launch a secondary, much more devastating wave of attacks."