US commander warns troops over phone use amid Iran war

A senior US commander has warned deployed American troops that videos filmed on their phones could help Iran assess attacks in near real time. Admiral Bradford Cooper, who oversees the US military response in the conflict, said footage posted online could reveal whether missiles or drones had hit their intended targets. The warning comes as commanders consider tighter restrictions on device use at some bases across the Middle East.

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Cooper said the consequences of apparently routine phone use could be serious, arguing that open-source material could be measured in the lives of US service members and civilians in targeted Gulf countries. According to the report, troops at some bases may be ordered to hand over their devices while deployed. Jordan was mentioned as a possible early location for restrictions, with sources saying devices there could be confiscated within days.

The warning follows the deaths of four US troops in recent weeks, according to the supplied material. It also comes after fighting resumed following the collapse of a ceasefire with Iran. The report cites a video posted online this month that appeared to show a service member filming as troops ran for shelter during a deadly Iranian attack on a base in Jordan on 17 July.

The incident underlines how battlefield information can be exposed through ordinary digital behaviour. Cooper said footage from the scene could help Iranian forces work out whether a strike missed, hit an empty area, or reached a crowded facility. That kind of detail can be valuable in assessing the effectiveness of attacks and planning future ones, especially in a conflict where drones and missiles are being used.

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The broader concern for the US military is that thousands of deployed personnel rely on phones to stay in contact with family while serving abroad. That creates a tension between morale and operational security, particularly in areas where Iranian attacks have already been reported. Jordan has become a frequent target of Iranian drone and missile strikes, making it one of the places where commanders are said to be considering the strictest measures.

What remains unclear is how widely any new restrictions will be applied and whether they will be temporary or longer term. It is also not yet clear which other bases may be affected or how quickly commanders will act. The next developments to watch are whether device handovers are ordered in Jordan and whether the US military expands similar rules elsewhere in the region.

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