The U.S. military is warning that Iran�s government is launching ballistic missiles and attack drones from densely populated neighborhoods, a tactic officials say is placing civilians at risk and complicating efforts to avoid collateral damage during the escalating conflict.

In a statement issued Sunday, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said Iranian forces have been operating from heavily populated areas while conducting missile and drone launches.

�The Iranian regime is using heavily populated civilian areas to conduct military operations, including launching one-way attack drones and ballistic missiles,� CENTCOM said in the statement. �This dangerous decision risks the lives of all civilians in Iran since locations used for military purposes lose protected status and could become legitimate military targets under international law.�

According to CENTCOM, Iranian launches have recently occurred in the cities of Dezful, Isfahan, and Shiraz.
In what it described as a �safety warning,� the command urged civilians in those areas to remain indoors.

�U.S. forces strongly urge civilians in Iran to stay at home,� the statement said.

The military emphasized that it attempts to minimize harm to civilians during operations but warned that it cannot guarantee safety around facilities used for military purposes.

�The U.S. military takes every feasible precaution to minimize harm to civilians but cannot guarantee civilian safety in or near facilities used by the Iranian regime for military purposes,� the statement added.

U.S. officials also accused Tehran of broadening its attacks across the region, alleging that Iranian forces have targeted civilian infrastructure beyond Iran�s borders.

�The Iranian regime is knowingly endangering innocent lives,� CENTCOM said. �Additionally, Iranian forces are jeopardizing the safety of innocent people throughout the Middle East by deliberately and indiscriminately targeting civilian airports, hotels, and residential neighborhoods.�

Brad Cooper, who leads the command, sharply criticized Tehran�s conduct.

�Iran�s terrorist regime is blatantly disregarding civilian lives by attacking Gulf partners while compromising the safety of their own people,� Cooper said.

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