Iran labels wedding-hall strike a war crime as US denies targeting civilians
Iran's foreign ministry called the death of four civilians, including two children, at a wedding in Sirik county a war crime, while the US said it does not target civilians and is reviewing the incident.
Four people, including two children, were killed and 67 injured when shrapnel from a missile struck a house hosting a wedding ceremony in Kuhestak, Sirik county, southern Iran, the Iranian Red Crescent Society said. The society wrote to the International Criminal Court, calling for an independent investigation and describing the incident as a possible breach of international humanitarian law. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei called the strike a "war crime" and part of an "unlawful war of choice" by the United States.
The US Central Command acknowledged reports of the strike and said the military does not target civilians, adding that it is reviewing Iranian media reports. A weapons expert consulted by BBC Verify noted that images posted online show fragments consistent with a US-used cruise missile.
In response to recent US actions, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on American interests in Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq and Bahrain, marking a notable escalation in the conflict. The latest exchanges follow earlier US strikes on Iranian rocket launchers and Iran's accusations that the United States has breached a memorandum of understanding signed in June.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking on Fox News, urged an end to trade with Iran, saying sanctions would "asphyxiate the regime." Meanwhile, Iranian central bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati downplayed the risk of hyperinflation but acknowledged rising inflation and economic hardship.