The leading U.S. military commander in the Middle East has alerted troops about the risks posed by cellphone videos shared online, which could potentially aid Iran in targeting American military bases. Sources informed Reuters that some deployed personnel might soon be required to give up their phones. Restricting mobile communications could significantly affect the thousands of U.S. troops in the region, many of whom depend on their phones to communicate with family and provide updates on their well-being.
In a previously undisclosed letter, Admiral Brad Cooper noted that Iran has been exploiting the ability to assess the outcomes of its strikes almost instantaneously by checking news reports or online content from journalists, which often include “reactions, photos, and footage from the cellphones of our troops.”
“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,” wrote Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, in a letter dated July 28, obtained by Reuters.
He urged troops to “redouble our focus on operational security,” without outlining specific measures in the memo. This warning highlights the growing tension between real-time news coverage of the conflict, often supported by satellite imagery and firsthand accounts, and the U.S. military’s desire to limit information that could assist Iran in harming U.S. personnel.
In Jordan, where Iranian strikes have been frequent, some troops have been informed that their phones will be taken away in the coming days, according to two sources familiar with the situation who spoke to Reuters.
A third source mentioned that such measures were being considered in the region due to concerns about operational security, though the confiscation was not yet certain.
When asked for a comment, U.S. Central Command spokesperson Captain Timothy Hawkins stated: “The message is 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.”
RUNNING FOR SHELTER DURING IRAN ATTACK
This month, a video surfaced online showing U.S. soldiers running for cover during a deadly Iranian attack on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on July 17. Cooper referred to this footage in his letter, noting it was captured using Meta smart glasses equipped with a camera.
“Video captured from a service member’s Meta glasses was posted on Instagram showing where and how the individual had evacuated to a bunker during an Iranian missile and drone attack,” Cooper wrote.
According to Cooper, without such accounts, Iran would find it challenging to evaluate the effectiveness of its strikes, particularly given the U.S. military’s use of electronic jamming and other war zone tactics.
“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 stated. “Detailed lists, descriptions, and analyses of what was hit, openly published by news outlets are essentially performing Iran’s Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) for them, free of charge,” Cooper said.
Since the conflict with Iran began on Feb. 28, 18 U.S. troops have died and over 600 have been injured, raising concerns among Americans about a war that only one in three Americans support.
Democratic lawmakers have requested more information about the conflict, including details on damage to U.S. infrastructure at bases such as radar towers, barracks, and aircraft hangars. They have also called for the release of a U.S. military investigation into a likely U.S. strike on a girls’ school in Iran, initially reported by Reuters on the war’s opening day, Feb. 28.
CELL PHONES BEING TAKEN?
Military officials state that rules regarding cell phone use for deployed troops can vary greatly. Many troops must lock their phones away, and cell phones can be prohibited during particularly sensitive missions, such as those conducted by special operations forces.
However, the potential seizure of phones has caused anxiety among some family members, already on edge due to recent reports of deadly Iranian strikes on bases in the Middle East, according to two sources. U.S. officials have warned for years that certain mobile applications, like fitness apps, can be exploited by adversaries for targeting purposes by utilizing location data. In May, Reuters reported that commercially available location data from smartphones or other devices had been used to target or monitor U.S. forces.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has been cautious in releasing information, citing operational security concerns. It often refrains from commenting on Iranian attack claims or detailing specific incidents that result in U.S. troop injuries. Cooper mentioned that details about strikes could enable Iran to launch follow-up attacks. “Detailed public disclosures can become an immediate green light for Iranian forces to launch a secondary, much more devastating wave of attacks,” he said. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Don Durfee and Sanjeev Miglani)
