In brief
Iran’s Red Crescent reports shrapnel from a missile destroyed a wedding ceremony in southern Iran, killing four, while the US denies targeting civilians. Vice‑President JD Vance, skeptical of the claims, confirmed an inquiry. The strike prompted further Iranian attacks on US bases. BBC Verify has corroborated damage near the site, highlighting the escalating conflict.
IE Iran’s Red Crescent Society (IRCS) says shrapnel from a missile hit a wedding ceremony in Sirik, southern Iran, killing four people and injuring dozens. The Iranian state media calls the attack a “war crime.”
Vice‑President JD Vance told a White House briefing that he is “extremely sceptical” of the Iranian narrative but confirmed that the U.S. military will investigate the incident. Vance added that the U.S. routinely fires missiles to counter Iranian “attempted attacks” on American forces and that missiles “never target civilians.”
Following the alleged strike, Iran has launched fresh attacks on U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The IRCS reports 67 people were wounded when shard fragments hit the wedding, and a fifth victim died in hospital. Four victims were identified: Zarkhatoon Taheri (50), Kolsum Mallahi Nazhdnia (43), Mohammad Mallahi (16) and Amirali Karimi (4).
BBC Verify found video footage of a telecommunications tower destroyed Tuesday near Kuhestak’s coast, and other footage shows heavily damaged houses about 130 meters north of the tower. Forensic analysis places the tower 112 meters from the wedding venue, corroborating the scale of the strike.
The United States and Israel initiated a joint attack against Iran on 28 February, sparking the current conflict that has now stretched for over six months. The investigation will determine whether U.S. forces were involved and if the strike constituted a violation of international law.
