IDF: Iran firing ballistic missiles and drones from densely populated civilian areas

The IDF's Persian-language spokesperson, Lt. Col. (res.) Kamal Penhasi, announced that Iran has been launching ballistic missiles and drones from 'densely populated civilian areas' in the country, deliberately putting noncombatants in danger. 'These actions deliberately and directly put Iranian civilians in danger, both when the launchers are used and when they are destroyed by the Israeli Air Force,' Penhasi said. The military published footage showing a strike on a missile launcher positioned under a bridge in a populated area. 'Once again we ask you, citizens of Iran, for your personal safety, to stay away from the missile launchers,' Penhasi added. The statement echoes a similar warning issued by the US military on Day 9. The IDF's messaging to Iranian civilians in Farsi serves multiple strategic purposes: it provides legal cover for civilian casualties near launchers, it attempts to drive a wedge between Iranian civilians and the IRGC, and it frames the conflict as the IRGC endangering its own population. The bridge footage is consistent with IRGC tactics of using civilian infrastructure as concealment for mobile launchers.