The top US military commander for the Middle East has warned American troops that videos and images shared from their mobile phones could help Iran identify and target US military bases. The warning comes as the US military considers tighter restrictions on cellphone use by deployed personnel amid escalating tensions with Tehran.

According to Reuters, some troops stationed in the Middle East could soon be required to surrender their mobile phones as part of enhanced operational security measures.

Commander Warns Against Sharing Footage

In a letter dated July 28, US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Admiral Brad Cooper said Iran was using publicly available information, including news reports, photographs and videos shared online, to assess the effectiveness of its attacks.

Cooper said such material, including footage recorded by US service members, could provide valuable intelligence to Iranian forces.

“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 wrote in the letter obtained by Reuters.

He urged troops to strengthen operational security but did not specify what additional measures would be introduced.

Phone Restrictions Under Consideration

Reuters reported that some US troops stationed in Jordan have been informed that their mobile phones could be confiscated in the coming days.

Sources familiar with the matter said broader restrictions on personal devices are also being considered across the region, although no final decision has been announced.

Responding to the report, CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Timothy Hawkins said the letter served as a general reminder about the importance of operational security and reflected one of several communications issued by Admiral Cooper on operational priorities.

Social Media Posts Raise Security Concerns

Cooper referred to an incident earlier this month in which a US service member allegedly recorded and shared footage using Meta smart glasses during an Iranian missile and drone attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.

According to the letter, the video showed how troops evacuated to bunkers during the attack, potentially revealing valuable operational details.

Cooper said Iran would otherwise struggle to assess whether its missiles had successfully struck military targets because of electronic jamming and other defensive measures employed by the US military.

He warned that detailed reporting and social media content could effectively provide Iran with battle damage assessments, allowing it to adjust future attacks.

Operational Security in Focus

Since the conflict with Iran began earlier this year, the US military has repeatedly warned personnel about the risks posed by smartphones and digital applications that collect location data.

Reuters had earlier reported that commercially available location data harvested from mobile devices has been used to monitor or target US military personnel.

While cellphone restrictions vary depending on operational requirements, officials said sensitive deployments have long prohibited personal devices. Any wider ban could affect thousands of US troops in the region who rely on mobile phones to stay in contact with their families.

Cooper also cautioned that public disclosure of damage caused by Iranian strikes could assist Tehran in planning follow-up attacks, reinforcing the need for tighter control over operational information during the ongoing conflict.

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