U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has accused Iran of placing rocket launchers inside civilian neighborhoods, including areas near schools and hospitals, as the conflict in the region intensifies.

Speaking during a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth stated that Iranian forces are “moving rocket launchers into civilian neighborhoods, near schools, near hospitals” in an effort to complicate U.S. targeting and deter strikes.

He further claimed that such tactics are being used to shield military ᴀssets by embedding them within populated areas, increasing the risk to civilians during ongoing

The accusation comes amid heightened scrutiny over civilian casualties in the conflict. When questioned about reported incidents involving civilian harm, Hegseth reiterated that the United States takes extensive precautions to avoid targeting non-combatants, while placing responsibility on Iran for allegedly operating within civilian zones.

However, independent verification of these specific claims remains limited, and analysts note that such allegations are difficult to confirm in real time during active conflict.

The situation continues to evolve as both sides exchange strikes, with growing international concern over the impact on civilian populations and the potential for further escalation.