In brief
The United States is conducting an inquiry into claims that a missile fired by US forces struck a wedding ceremony in Sirik, southern Iran, killing four people, including two children. Iran’s Red Crescent Society, in coordination with state media, has called the incident a war crime, while the US Central Command maintains that civilian targets are not aimed for. Vice‑President J.D. Vance expressed skepticism about the claims but confirmed an investigation. Forensic evidence—including BBC Verification reports—suggests a telecom tower nearby may have been involved in the strike. The incident occurs against the backdrop of a six‑month conflict that began after a US‑Israeli joint assault on February 28, 2026, with both sides exchanging retaliatory blows since then.
The United States has confirmed it is investigating reports that a missile fired from U.S. airspace struck a wedding ceremony at a home in Sirik, southern Iran, killing at least four people, including two children. The incident was reported by the Iranian Red Crescent Society and was declared a "war crime" by the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei.
The U.S. Central Command, however, states that its missiles are fired only in response to "attempted attacks" by Iran on American forces and that the force “never targets civilians.” Vice‑President J. D. Vance, speaking at a White House briefing, advised that he was "extremely skeptical" of the Iranian claims but confirmed the U.S. was proceeding with an investigation.
According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, 67 people were injured when shrapnel from the missile hit the wedding ceremony, and four individuals – Zarkhatoon Taheri (50), Kolsum Mallahi Nazhdnia (43), Mohammad Mallahi (16) and Amirali Karimi (4) – were killed. Iranian state media also reported that a 22‑year‑old woman died later in hospital.
BBC Verify confirmed separate footage from Tuesday showing a telecommunications tower destroyed by a missile strike near Kuhestak’s coast, with additional videos showing heavily damaged houses approximately 130 m (427 ft) north of the tower. BBC Persian Forensics estimated the tower was about 112 m (367 ft) from the wedding house.
The conflict between Iran and U.S.‑led forces has continued for over six months since the U.S. and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran on 28 February 2026. Iran has responded by launching fresh attacks on U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Vice‑President Vance said the U.S. was "investigating" the incident while noting that the U.S. had not yet confirmed if any missile landed on the wedding location.
The alleged strike and subsequent Iranian retaliation highlight the fragile and volatile nature of the ongoing war, raising questions over civilian safety and the legitimate use of force in the region. The U.S. investigation will determine, after reviewing missile trajectory data, whether U.S. forces inadvertently struck the wedding venue or if the incident was attributable to other causes. The international community watches closely for both sides to adhere to international humanitarian law in the conflict.
