US Probes Deadly Strike On Iranian Wedding

The United States is investigating a deadly strike that hit a wedding gathering in southern Iran after a Reuters analysis found that the explosion was likely caused by a direct hit from a US munition.

US Vice President JD Vance said Washington was examining the incident after Iranian authorities reported that a home hosting the wedding was struck during US airstrikes on Tuesday. “We’re investigating it because obviously we care. We want to know,” Vance told reporters on Thursday.

The reported death toll rose to five after Iranian state television said a 22-year-old woman died in hospital. Iranian officials said nearly 70 people were wounded.

The US has not accepted responsibility for the incident. The US military said it was aware of the reports and maintained that it “never targets civilians”. A US official, speaking anonymously, said authorities were considering several possible explanations, including a US strike, a ricochet from an Iranian air-defence missile or an errant interceptor.

However, four weapons experts who reviewed Reuters-verified images and video said the damage was consistent with a direct hit rather than secondary damage. Three of the experts said the weapon was likely American.

Funeral ceremonies were held on Thursday in Kuhestak village in Sirik County, where mourners gathered to bury victims of the strike.The incident followed US airstrikes along Iran’s southern coast, which Washington said targeted military facilities in response to Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The circumstances surrounding the strike and responsibility for the deaths remain under investigation.

SOURCE: Reuters