Amid rising tensions, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a stark warning this past Sunday, addressing civilians in Iran. The warning accuses the Iranian regime of jeopardizing civilian safety by launching military operations from within densely populated areas.

CENTCOM officials have reported that Iranian forces are utilizing major cities such as Dezful, Isfahan, and Shiraz to deploy one-way attack drones and ballistic missiles. In response, U.S. forces have advised Iranian civilians to stay indoors. They cautioned that areas employed for military operations might lose their protected status under international law, rendering them legitimate military targets.

Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of CENTCOM, condemned the actions of Iran’s government. “Iran’s terrorist regime is blatantly disregarding civilian lives by attacking Gulf partners while compromising the safety of their own people,” he stated unequivocally in an official release.

CENTCOM emphasized that U.S. forces are committed to taking all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians. However, they acknowledged the limitations in ensuring safety in proximity to sites used by Iran for military activities.

In a related development, missiles launched from Iran toward Israel were recently observed streaking across the sky above the West Bank city of Hebron, underscoring the escalating regional conflict. (Photo credit: Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

CENTCOM’s announcement said Tehran has launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and thousands of drones since the start of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, though launch rates have declined as U.S. and partner forces have targeted Iran’s military capabilities.

Iran has targeted civilian airports and hotels across the Middle East as part of retaliatory attacks against several Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain.

Debris of a missile fired from Iran toward Israel lies in the Beni Zeid area near Ramallah in the West Bank on March 7, 2026. (Issam Rimawi/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The UAE’s Ministry of Defense on Sunday released footage of its air defenses intercepting and destroying Iranian drones.

The ministry said 17 ballistic missiles were detected, with 16 destroyed and one falling into the sea. 

Air defenses also detected 117 drones, intercepting 113 of them while four fell within the country’s territory.

Plumes of smoke rise following reported explosions in Tehran, Iran, on March 2, 2026. (Sohrab/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Since the start of Iran’s attacks, the UAE says it has intercepted 221 ballistic missiles and 1,342 drones, along with eight cruise missiles.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed on X that Iran has not attacked “friendly and neighboring countries,” saying its strikes have been aimed at U.S. military bases and installations in the region.

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