US considers confiscating soldiers' phones to block Iran's intelligence gathering

US military leaders are weighing a drastic measure: confiscating soldiers' mobile phones in the Middle East. The move aims to prevent Iran from exploiting information shared by troops on social media to gauge the success of its attacks.

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The direct, unavoidable cost of this open-source intelligence can be measured in the lives of American soldiers and civilians in the Persian Gulf countries.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), warned in a July 28 letter that Iran could monitor its strikes in near real-time. He cited reports from journalists using "reactions, photos, and videos from our soldiers' mobile phones." Cooper stressed that intelligence gathered from open sources can cost American lives in the Persian Gulf.

While Cooper's letter urged increased operational security, it did not specify new restrictions. However, two sources told Reuters that some US soldiers in Jordan have already been informed their phones might be confiscated soon. A third source indicated similar measures are under consideration elsewhere in the region, though no final decision has been made.

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This message is a general reminder to our soldiers about the importance of maintaining operational security. This is one of many occasions Admiral Cooper has taken to communicate operational priorities.

CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Timothy Hawkins stated that Cooper's letter was primarily a reminder of existing rules. He emphasized it was one of many instances where the admiral communicates operational priorities. The concern was heightened by a video posted online in July, reportedly captured by Meta smart glasses worn by a US soldier. The footage showed soldiers fleeing to a bunker during a fatal Iranian attack on the Muwaffaq Salti air base in Jordan on July 17, detailing their evacuation route.

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The video recorded by a soldier's Meta glasses was posted on Instagram, showing where and how an individual evacuated to a bunker during an Iranian rocket and drone attack.