Key facts
- The U.S. is investigating a strike on an Iranian wedding that killed at least five people, including children.
- Weapons experts analyzing verified images and video suggest the strike was likely a direct hit by a U.S. munition.
- The U.S. military stated it does not target civilians.
- The incident occurred during U.S. airstrikes targeting military sites along the Strait of Hormuz coast.
- Iran responded to the U.S. strikes with attacks on U.S. bases in multiple countries.
The United States is investigating claims that its airstrikes on Tuesday, targeting military sites along the Strait of Hormuz coast, resulted in civilian casualties at a wedding celebration. An analysis by weapons experts, reviewing images and video verified by Reuters, suggests the explosion was likely a direct hit by a U.S. munition, rather than a ricochet or an errant Iranian air defense missile.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance confirmed the investigation, stating the U.S. cares and wants to know what happened, adding that the military learns from mistakes. However, the U.S. military has maintained it "never targets civilians." Iranian state television reported that a 22-year-old woman died in hospital following the strike, bringing the total death toll to five, with nearly 70 wounded. Funeral services were held for victims, with one child identified as a martyr.
The incident follows a missile strike on a primary school six months prior, for which an initial U.S. military investigation suggested U.S. forces were likely responsible. In response to the Tuesday airstrikes, Iran launched attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain, with Kuwait reporting its air defenses intercepted missiles and drones. The escalation has caused oil prices to surge, with Brent crude futures exceeding $96 a barrel.