Iran using social media footage to target US troops, assets in Middle East

US troops in the Middle East may soon be ordered to surrender their mobile phones as Iran uses social media footage to target American bases and assets. Admiral Brad Cooper, the top US commander for the region, warned that cellphone videos shared online provide Iran with near real-time information on the success or failure of its strikes.

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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.

In a letter obtained by Reuters, Cooper, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), stated 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." He urged troops to "redouble our focus on operational security."

The warning highlights the tension between real-time news reporting, often aided by satellite imagery and firsthand accounts, and the US military's need to restrict information that could aid Iran. Some troops in Jordan, a frequent target of Iranian strikes, have reportedly been told their phones will be confiscated soon. A broader confiscation across the region is being considered due to operational security concerns.

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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.

CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Timothy Hawkins described Cooper's message as a "general reminder to our service members on the importance of maintaining operational security." He added that this is one of many opportunities Admiral Cooper uses to convey operational priorities. The move comes after a US service member recorded and posted a video on Instagram showing soldiers running for shelter during a deadly Iranian attack on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on July 17.

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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.