CENTCOM: Iran Firing Missiles and Drones From Civilian Areas in Dezful, Isfahan, Shiraz

US Central Command issued an explicit public safety warning naming three Iranian cities where the regime is conducting missile and drone launches from densely populated civilian areas: Dezful, Isfahan, and Shiraz. '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,' CENTCOM stated. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, was quoted: 'Iran's terrorist regime is blatantly disregarding civilian lives by attacking Gulf partners while compromising the safety of their own people.' CENTCOM added that Iranian forces are 'jeopardizing the safety of innocent people throughout the Middle East by deliberately and indiscriminately targeting civilian airports, hotels, and residential neighborhoods.' The warning serves two functions: (1) a genuine humanitarian caution to Iranian civilians to move away from launch sites; and (2) a legal and public affairs pre-justification for strikes on those cities — if Iran is conducting military operations there, they are legitimate targets under the laws of armed conflict. The naming of Dezful, Isfahan, and Shiraz signals these cities are likely to be struck in coming hours or days.