The US military is considering ordering some troops deployed in the Middle East to surrender their cellphones, amid growing concerns that Iran is mining social media posts for near-real-time intelligence, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions.
Admiral Brad Cooper, a senior US commander, warned that photos and videos posted online by service members could provide Iran with battle-damage assessments that might endanger American lives. The concern is serious enough that top officials are weighing the seizure of personal devices to prevent sensitive information from being leaked through social media platforms like Instagram.
The move comes as tensions between the US and Iran remain high, with American forces stationed in the region on high alert. Officials fear that even seemingly innocuous posts—such as images from a military base or a soldier's location—could be exploited by Iranian intelligence to track troop movements or assess the effectiveness of attacks.
The discussions, first reported by Reuters and later confirmed by Fox News, indicate that the proposal is under active consideration but has not yet been finalized. If implemented, it would mark a significant escalation in operational security measures for US troops deployed in volatile areas.
The military has long warned service members about the risks of oversharing on social media, but this potential phone seizure represents a more aggressive step to counter what officials describe as an evolving threat from Iran's intelligence-gathering capabilities.