Iran using social media footage to target US troops, assets in Middle East

US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper warns troops that cellphone videos and social media posts help Iran assess strike damage and target American bases. Cooper's letter cites a video posted on Instagram from Meta smart glasses showing soldiers evacuating during an Iranian attack. Some troops in Jordan may have phones confiscated. The warning highlights tension between real-time reporting and operational security.

The top US commander for the Middle East, Admiral Brad Cooper, has warned troops that cellphone videos and social media posts are helping Iran target American bases and assess strike damage. In a previously unreported letter dated July 28, Cooper said Iran benefits from open-source intelligence, including news reports and online posts by journalists and troops. He specifically cited a video recorded on Meta smart glasses and posted on Instagram showing soldiers evacuating during an Iranian attack on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on July 17. Cooper warned that detailed public disclosures can enable Iran to launch more devastating follow-up attacks. Sources told Reuters that some troops in Jordan have been told their phones will be confiscated in the coming days, while a third source said such a move is under consideration. The warning underscores the tension between real-time reporting and operational security. Since the conflict with Iran began on February 28, 18 US troops have died and over 600 have been wounded.