US Central Command orders phone restrictions for troops after Iran video leak
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, issued a July 28 letter warning that cellphone videos posted online can aid Iran in targeting U.S. bases in the Middle East. He said open‑source footage allows Iran to conduct near‑real‑time battle‑damage assessment, potentially endangering American service members and civilians.
Sources say some troops stationed in Jordan have already been told their phones may be confiscated in the coming days, while a broader consideration of a regional phone‑seizure policy is under review. A service member captured video with Meta smart glasses during the July 17 Iranian missile and drone attack on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, an incident that killed two U.S. soldiers. U.S. Central Command spokesperson Captain Timothy Hawkins described the memo as a general reminder to maintain operational security, without detailing specific steps.
The potential crackdown reflects mounting tension between real‑time media reporting and military efforts to limit information that could assist Iran’s targeting.
Entities: Brad Cooper · Iran · Jordan · Muwaffaq Salti Air Base · U.S. Central Command
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Some U.S. troops in Jordan have been told their phones may be confiscated in the coming days. (new)
- [● 3 SOURCES] A U.S. service member recorded video with Meta smart glasses during the July 17 Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. (new)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, warned troops that cellphone videos shared online can help Iran target American bases. (new)
- [● 2 SOURCES] In a July 28 letter, Cooper said Iran benefits from near‑real‑time observation of U.S. strikes via open‑source media. (new)
- [● 2 SOURCES] U.S. Central Command spokesperson Captain Timothy Hawkins said the memo is a general reminder on operational security. (new)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Two U.S. service members were killed in the Iranian missile and drone attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base on July 17. (new)