Amid rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday issued a safety warning to civilians in Iran, urging them to remain indoors as military operations intensify across the region.
In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said Iranian forces were launching drones and ballistic missiles from densely populated civilian areas, putting local populations at risk.
US officials alleged that the Iranian government has been conducting military operations from crowded neighbourhoods in cities including Dezful, Isfahan and Shiraz.
According to the US military, locations used for military purposes could lose their protected status under international law and may become legitimate military targets.
“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 command said.
CENTCOM urged Iranian civilians to stay at home while operations continue, adding that the US military takes “every feasible precaution to minimize harm to civilians” but cannot guarantee safety near facilities used for military activity.
Rising tensions in the Middle East
The warning comes as a widening regional conflict between Israel, the United States and Iran enters its second week. The campaign began with coordinated US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28 and has since triggered a wave of retaliatory attacks across the Middle East.
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian warned on Sunday that Tehran could expand attacks on American targets across the region in response to ongoing strikes. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have vowed to continue the military campaign.
The conflict has spread beyond Iran and Israel. Bahrain accused Iran of striking a desalination plant on Sunday, raising concerns that critical civilian infrastructure could increasingly become targets. Israeli strikes have also hit an oil facility in Tehran, sending smoke billowing across parts of the capital, while attacks have continued in Lebanon.
According to officials, the conflict has killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, 397 in Lebanon and 11 in Israel so far. Six US troops have also been reported killed.
The fighting has rattled global markets, disrupted air travel and significantly weakened Iran’s military infrastructure after thousands of US and Israeli airstrikes.
Oil prices surge
Meanwhile, rising geopolitical tensions have pushed up energy prices. Brent crude surged to $91.84 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate climbed to USD 89.62. Brent has now jumped more than 24% and WTI about 32% since the conflict escalated, fuelling fresh concerns over global inflation.
Earlier, Trump claimed Iran was being “demolished ahead of schedule,” saying the country had effectively lost its air force and air defence capabilities.
However, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Tehran had no intention of negotiating and was prepared for a possible ground invasion if the conflict deepens.
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