US military: Iran firing missiles from populated areas, Iranian civilians should stay home

The US military warns that Iran’s regime is firing ballistic missiles and drones from heavily populated civilian areas, and is urging civilians to stay home to avoid being harmed.

“The Iranian regime is using heavily populated civilian areas to conduct military operations, including launching one-way attack drones and ballistic missiles. 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,” the US Central Command (CENTCOM) says.

“The US 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 CENTCOM statement adds.

Such launches are occurring in the cities of Dezful, Esfahan and Shiraz, US CENTCOM says in a “safety warning.” It adds: “US forces strongly urge civilians in Iran to stay at home.”

“The Iranian regime is knowingly endangering innocent lives. 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,” CENTCOM adds.

“Iran’s terrorist regime is blatantly disregarding civilian lives by attacking Gulf partners while compromising the safety of their own people,” says Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM.