The U.S. commander responsible for U.S. forces in the Middle East warns that cellphone videos and other content posted online can increase Iran’s ability to target American bases. Multiple outlets, citing sources and a Reuters report, say Admiral Brad Cooper delivered the message to deployed troops, emphasizing operational security risks from sharing images or video that could be used for targeting. Sources told Reuters that some deployed personnel could soon be ordered to surrender their mobile phones as part of efforts to limit exposure. The reports note that this could affect thousands of U.S. troops in the region, many of whom use phones to communicate with family and friends.
The articles also describe concern that Iran may use publicly available images to assess strike effectiveness in near real time, reinforcing the U.S. view that online content can have battlefield value. The reporting indicates that any new phone restrictions or crackdowns would add a separate dimension to how U.S. troops operate and communicate while deployed.
