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.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)