U.S. Central Command Warns Troops That Social-Media Footage May Aid Iran

In a letter dated July 28, Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, warned that videos and photos posted by service members can give Iran real-time insight into the success or failure of its strikes. He cited a video captured on Meta smart glasses and shared on Instagram that showed a soldier evacuating to a bunker during the July 17 Iranian missile and drone attack on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Cooper argued that such open-source material allows Iran to conduct its own battle-damage assessment, potentially guiding follow-up attacks.

Reuters

Sources said some troops stationed in Jordan have been told their phones may be confiscated in the coming days, and a separate source indicated that a broader regional seizure is under consideration. The move would represent a new operational-security measure for the thousands of U.S. personnel deployed across the Middle East, many of whom rely on phones to contact families.

Reuters

Since the conflict began on Feb. 28, 18 U.S. service members have been killed and more than 600 wounded. Public-opinion surveys indicate that roughly one in three Americans support the war. Democratic lawmakers have called for greater transparency about damage to U.S. infrastructure on bases and for the release of a military investigation into a reported strike on a girls’ school in Iran on the war’s opening day.

Reuters

Captain Timothy Hawkins, the Central Command spokesperson, framed the warning as a general reminder of the importance of operational security and noted that it reflects one of several opportunities Cooper has used to convey priorities.

Reuters

• “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,” — Admiral Brad Cooper

Reuters

• “Detailed lists, descriptions, and analyses of what was hit, openly published by news outlets are essentially performing Iran’s Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) for them, free of charge,” — Admiral Brad Cooper

Reuters

• “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.” — Captain Timothy Hawkins, central command spokesperson

Reuters