The commander of US Central Command stated that the Islamic Republic regime is targeting civilian infrastructure to mask its failing military capabilities.

Admiral Brad Cooper characterized these recent actions as a sign of deep desperation following weeks of heavy losses during the ongoing Operation Epic Fury.

The Islamic Republic regime has increasingly shifted its focus toward soft targets as its conventional forces continue to suffer significant and rapid degradation.

This strategic pivot aims to project strength while the actual military effectiveness of the Islamic Republic continues to decline under sustained international pressure.

Admiral Cooper emphasized that US military forces are attacking the regime specifically and not the wonderful people of Iran.

Human shields protect leadership in bunkers

Admiral Cooper highlighted that leaders of the regime remain safely tucked away in reinforced underground bunkers while leaving the general population exposed.

The Islamic Republic has failed to provide its citizens with formal civil defense systems, emergency sirens or any accessible public bomb shelters for protection.

Instead, the regime reportedly embeds military assets within schools and residential areas to use innocent civilians as effective human shields.

This tactic seeks to deter retaliatory strikes by raising the potential for high casualty counts that would lead to widespread international condemnation.

Furthermore, the Basij militia allegedly forces people into the streets during attacks to manufacture images of a loyal population for state-controlled media outlets.

Economic coercion and dual-use facilities

The Islamic Republic is also utilizing civilian ports and energy facilities to launch missile attacks against various regional neighbors and global trade interests.

By utilizing these sites, the regime attempts to grant them dual-use status to complicate military targeting and claim potential war crimes.

Attacks on regional airports, hotels and desalination plants are designed to puncture the image of stability and inflict massive costs on the global economy.

The regime hopes that spiking energy prices will pressure Western leaders into seeking a quick resolution to the current conflict.

Officials noted that the Islamic Republic remains reckless, endangering its own populace to preserve the power of a leadership hiding in safety.

This self-serving behavior by the regime continues to erode its remaining authority and domestic support during this period of crisis.