In brief
The United States has begun an investigation after Iranian reports that a missile strike hit a wedding in southern Iran, killing at least four people, including two children. Iranian officials have labeled the incident a war crime, while U.S. forces maintain that their missions never target civilians. Vice‑President JD Vance expressed extreme scepticism over the reports but confirmed an investigation would proceed. Iran has launched further attacks on U.S. bases in Kuwait and the UAE in response to the alleged strike. Verification footage shows a telecom tower destroyed nearby, with damaged houses within 130 m, indicating the strike’s proximity to the wedding venue.
The United States announced that it is looking into claims that a missile launched by Iranian forces struck a wedding ceremony in southern Iran, killing at least four people, including two children.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported that shrapnel from the missile hit the event held in Sirik, and Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei described the incident as a war crime. U.S. Central Command stated that it “never targets civilians” and emphasized that the missiles were fired in response to Iranian attacks on American forces.
Vice‑President JD Vance told a White House briefing that he was “extremely sceptical” of the reports, yet confirmed that the U.S. would investigate the matter. The Iranian government has retaliated by launching new attacks on U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
The Iranian Red Crescent said 67 people were injured when shrapnel struck the wedding, with four deaths recorded: Zarkhatoon Taheri, 50; Kolsum Mallahi Nazhdnia, 43; Mohammad Mallahi, 16; and Amirali Karimi, 4. A fifth victim, a 22‑year‑old woman, died in hospital shortly after the incident, according to Iranian state media.
BBC Verify confirmed footage from Tuesday near Kuhestak’s coast showing a telecommunications tower destroyed, with additional videos indicating severely damaged houses 130 m north of the tower, which was about 112 m from the wedding site. The ongoing conflict, which began after U.S. and Israeli forces launched a joint attack on Iran on 28 February, has led to sustained hostilities.
