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Dubai: Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the US military is taking a major step to secure its operations. According to a recent internal report, personal mobile phones of American troops deployed in sensitive areas of the Middle East could be confiscated.

This decision comes after soldiers inadvertently shared photos and videos on social media, providing Iran with intelligence about US bases. Videos of soldiers are becoming Iran’s weapon. Admiral Brad Cooper, the Supreme Commander of US Central Command, issued a stern warning to soldiers in an internal letter. According to the commander, soldiers have posted videos on Instagram and other social media platforms, which are helping Iran assess the damage caused by the attack. Furthermore, when Iran or its pro-American groups launch missile or drone attacks on US bases, the exact damage is not immediately known. However, the reels and photos posted by soldiers while hiding in bunkers or immediately after the attack reveal where the missiles landed and the extent of the damage. However, Iran is using this information to make its subsequent attacks more precise and destructive.

Smart glass incident sparks controversy

The matter became more serious when an American soldier used his camera goggles during an Iranian attack on Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. The soldier recorded a video of security personnel rushing to the bunker and uploaded it to Instagram, exposing the base’s security strategy and internal situation.

Preparation for phone confiscation and anxiety in families

According to a Reuters report, some US troops stationed in Jordan have already been notified that their personal phones and electronic gadgets may be confiscated in the coming days. This ban is planned to apply to thousands of troops deployed across the Middle East region. However, this decision has raised concerns among front-line soldiers and their families living in the US, who rely heavily on their phones to maintain contact and keep abreast of their well-being.

Advertising and roaming signals also pose a risk of tracking.

Additionally, US intelligence agencies are concerned that Iranian hackers are continuously tracking soldiers’ phone roaming signals through the Middle East’s outdated telecom networks and mobile advertisements, revealing their live locations. These twin threats have forced the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) to tighten operational security regulations.