U.S. Central Command Commander Brad Cooper [EPA Yonhap News photo]

U.S. Central Command, which oversees and commands the U.S. military's "Epic Fury" operation against Iran, announced on the 8th (local time) that it had issued a "Safety Warning" to civilians in Iran.

In a statement released today, the Central Command stated, "The Iranian regime is using populated areas to conduct military operations, including the launch of expendable attack drones and missiles." It explained, "This dangerous decision puts the lives of all Iranian civilians at risk because those locations utilized for military purposes lose their protected status and can become military targets."

It added, "The Iranian military is launching attack drones and missiles from congested areas surrounded by civilians in cities such as Dezful, Isfahan, and Shiraz."

The Central Command strongly advised Iranian civilians to "stay home." It stated, "The Iranian regime is deliberately endangering innocent lives. Furthermore, the Iranian military is intentionally and indiscriminately targeting civilian airports, hotels, and residential areas, jeopardizing the safety of innocent people throughout the Middle East."

The Central Command emphasized, "While the U.S. military is taking all feasible precautions to minimize civilian casualties, we cannot guarantee the safety of civilians within or near facilities used by the Iranian regime for military purposes."

The Central Command further stated, "Unlike the Iranian regime, the U.S. military does not target civilians or intentionally endanger civilian safety."