In brief
In a rapidly escalating conflict, the US military has announced that it is investigating claims that a missile hit a wedding ceremony in the Sirik district of southern Iran, potentially killing four people, including two children. Iranian officials described the incident as a war crime and the Iranian Red Crescent Society reported heavy casualties. U.S. Vice‑President JD Vance expressed deep skepticism about the reports but confirmed an investigation would be carried out. The incident followed several Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in Kuwait and the UAE, marking yet another flare in the months‑long standoff that began with joint U.S. and Israeli action in February.
On Tuesday, Iranian authorities reported that shrapnel from a missile struck a wedding ceremony in Sirik, southern Iran, reportedly killing at least four people, including two children, and injuring 67 others.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society said the explosion damaged a residential building hosting the celebration. In response, the Iranian foreign ministry called the event a "war crime", while the United States said its missiles were fired only in defense of American forces and that "civilian areas were never targeted".
Vice‑President JD Vance told a White‑House briefing that he was "extremely skeptical" of the Iranian claims but confirmed that the U.S. will investigate the incident. Iran has since launched new attacks on U.S. bases in Kuwait and the UAE after the alleged strike.
BBC Verify confirmed video evidence of a destroyed telecommunications tower near the wedding site and heavily damaged houses, supporting the claim that the strike occurred in that vicinity.
Both sides have blamed each other for the ongoing conflict that began with a joint U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran in February, with further escalations occurring frequently.
