Pentagon accuses Tehran of using civilian areas for missile launches

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), accused the Iranian government of putting civilians at risk by launching missiles and drones from populated areas, citing incidents in Bushehr, Shiraz, Bandar Abbas, Abu Musa, Konarak, Jask, and Chabahar.

He said senior military officials are protected in secure shelters, while ordinary forces and civilians remain “unprotected.”

Speaking in his first interview since the outbreak of hostilities with Iran International, Admiral Cooper emphasised that the US is targeting the Iranian regime, not its people. He added that the Islamic Republic could end the conflict immediately by halting its attacks.

The CENTCOM chief also claimed that Iran has targeted more than 300 civilian sites and called for an immediate stop to these attacks.

He urged the people of Iran to follow safety warnings and remain in secure locations until the situation changes.

By Aghakazim Guliyev