US Commander Warns Troops in Middle East: Phones May Be Confiscated

It has been stated that the cell phones of some US soldiers in Jordan may be confiscated in the coming days. The US's highest-ranking commander in the Middle East, Admiral Brad Cooper, told troops in a message that photos taken with cell phones could help Iran target US bases. Cooper stated that Iran benefits from photos, responses to news, and videos shared online to determine the location of troops.

The notification is a general reminder to our service members about the importance of maintaining operational security. This is one of the options Admiral Cooper uses to convey operational priorities.

Sources told the agency that troops may be asked to hand over their cell phones, which would add a new dimension to the conflict for thousands of US soldiers in the region. Admiral Cooper also asked the troops to focus twice as much on operational security. Two sources reported that some soldiers in Jordan were told that their phones would be confiscated in the coming days. US Central Command spokesperson Captain Timothy Hawkins confirmed the message. Cooper referred to these images, stating that they were recorded with Meta smart glasses with a built-in camera. Officials say that rules for cell phone use by soldiers on duty may change significantly across the army. Many soldiers are forced to lock their phones, and cell phones can be banned, especially for sensitive tasks, by special operations forces.