US probes Iranian claims of missile strike on wedding
The US is investigating Iranian claims that an American strike killed at least five people, including children, at a wedding in southern Iran. Vice-President JD Vance said he was sceptical of Tehran's account but confirmed a probe was under way.
US Vice-President JD Vance has said American forces are investigating Iranian claims that a US strike killed at least four people, including two children, at a wedding ceremony in the town of Sirik in southern Iran.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society said shrapnel from a missile struck a home hosting the wedding on Tuesday, injuring 67 people. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei described the incident as a war crime. State media later reported that a fifth victim, a 22-year-old woman, died in hospital. Those killed were named locally as Zarkhatoon Taheri, 50; Kolsum Mallahi Nazhdnia, 43; Mohammad Mallahi, 16; and Amirali Karimi, four.
A US Central Command spokesperson said American forces never target civilians. Speaking at a White House briefing on Thursday, Vance said he was "extremely sceptical" of the Iranian account, noting that Iranian state media had not been a reliable source of information throughout the conflict. He nonetheless confirmed that an investigation was under way.
The US missiles were launched on Tuesday in response to what officials described as attempted Iranian attacks on American forces. Following the alleged strike on the wedding, Iran launched fresh attacks on US bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
Independent verification
BBC Verify confirmed footage and images from Tuesday showing a telecommunications tower near the coast of Kuhestak being destroyed, along with later videos showing severely damaged houses roughly 130m north of the tower. Analysis by BBC Persian Forensics found the tower stood about 112m from the house where the wedding was taking place.
Hostilities with Iran have continued for more than six months since the US and Israel launched a joint attack on the country on 28 February.
