In brief
Vice‑President JD Vance said Washington is looking into reports that a US missile struck a wedding ceremony in southern Iran that killed at least four people, two of whom were children. The Iranian Red Crescent claimed shrapnel from the strike injured 67 people and listed four casualties, while Iranian state media called the act a "war crime." US forces denied targeting civilians and said the attack was on US bases after Iranian attempts of retaliation. Vance expressed scepticism but confirmed an investigation is underway, and Iran has launched fresh attacks on U.S. bases in Kuwait and the UAE.
Vice‑President JD Vance declared Washington is examining claims that a missile hit a wedding ceremony in southern Iran, killing four and damaging the venue.
The Iranian Red Crescent reported that shrapnel from the strike injured 67 people, including two children, and named four victims – a 50‑year‑old woman, a 43‑year‑old woman, a 16‑year‑old boy and a 4‑year‑old child – as those who died. Iranian state media branded the event a “war crime.”
U.S. forces rebutted accusations, stating that missiles fired that day were in response to attempted Iranian attacks on American bases and that they never target civilians. A spokesperson from U.S. Central Command reiterated that the strike was not aimed at civilian locations.
Vance expressed scepticism over Iranian reports, calling them "extremely unreliable" in a briefing at the White House. He confirmed that a find‑out investigation is underway to ascertain the facts of the incident.
In response, Iran launched fresh attacks on U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, escalating hostilities that have persisted for more than half a year since the joint U.S.‑Israeli assault on the country on 28 February.
BBC Verify confirmed footage and images taken near Kuhestak’s coast on Tuesday and Wednesday, showing a telecommunications tower destroyed and severely damaged houses 130 metres north of the tower, which home hosted the wedding. The tower was about 112 metres from the wedding location. The work of BBC Persian Forensics assisted in mapping the damage path.
Image source: Iranian Red Crescent Society.
