By Pishtaz | 2026-07-27

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) increasingly operates from locations that also serve civilian purposes, placing nearby workers, residents and travelers at greater risk during conflict.

International humanitarian law protects civilian objects unless they are used for military purposes, at which point they may become lawful military objectives.

Recent fighting highlighted that reality along the road connecting Roudan and Bandar Abbas, where strikes damaged bridge infrastructure on July 18.

Military officials also identified the surveillance tower at Shahid Kalantari Port as supporting IRGC maritime operations before it was targeted.

Facilities supporting military logistics, surveillance, weapons storage or command functions can lose civilian protection when used for military operations.

The decision to integrate military capabilities into civilian infrastructure increases danger for everyone working, traveling or living nearby during armed conflict.

Roads, ports, communications towers and industrial facilities serving both civilian and military functions deserve increased awareness during periods of heightened tensions.

Workers should remain alert for locations supporting IRGC vehicles, surveillance equipment, weapons movement or other military activities alongside normal civilian operations.

Choosing military convenience over separating forces from civilians exposes ordinary people to unnecessary danger when military operations target those facilities.

Practice identifying dual-use facilities before an emergency develops, and avoid spending unnecessary time around locations supporting military operations.

If you work on or near infrastructure used for military purposes, leave the area whenever it is safe to do so.

Distance from dual-use facilities can reduce personal risk when military objectives become targets during armed conflict.