Amid rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East, US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday issued a safety warning to civilians in Iran, urging them to stay home as military operations intensify across the region.In a statement published on X, US Central Command said Iranian forces were launching drones and ballistic missiles from densely populated civilian areas, putting local residents at risk.
US officials claimed that the Iranian government was conducting military operations from crowded neighborhoods in cities including Dezful, Isfahan and Shiraz.
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According to the US Army, sites used for military purposes may lose their protected status under international law and may become legitimate military targets.
The command said: “This dangerous decision puts the lives of all civilians in Iran at risk because sites used for military purposes lose their protected status and could become legitimate military targets under international law.”US Central Command urged Iranian civilians to remain in their homes 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
This warning comes at a time when the expanding regional conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran enters its second week. The campaign began with coordinated US and Israeli air strikes on February 28, and has since sparked a wave of retaliatory attacks across the Middle East.Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned on Sunday that Tehran may expand its attacks on US targets across the region in response to ongoing strikes.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to continue the military campaign.The conflict extended beyond Iran and Israel. Bahrain accused Iran of striking a desalination plant on Sunday, raising concerns that vital civilian infrastructure could increasingly become targets. Israeli strikes also hit an oil facility in Tehran, sending smoke rising in parts of the capital, while attacks 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. There were also reports that six American soldiers were killed.The fighting has shaken global markets, disrupted air travel and significantly weakened Iran’s military infrastructure after thousands of US and Israeli air strikes.
Oil prices are rising
At the same time, rising geopolitical tensions have pushed up energy prices. Brent crude rose to $91.84 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude rose to $89.62.
Brent has now jumped more than 24% and WTI about 32% since the conflict escalated, raising new concerns about global inflation.Earlier, Trump claimed that Iran was being “destroyed ahead of schedule,” saying that the country had effectively lost its air and air defense capabilities.However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told NBC News that Tehran has no intention of negotiating and is prepared for a possible ground invasion if the conflict escalates.