US investigating if missile hit Iran wedding, Vance says

September 3, 2026

Vice-President JD Vance announced that the US military is investigating Iranian allegations that American missile strikes killed at least four people, including two children, at a wedding ceremony in Sirik, southern Iran on Tuesday. While Vance expressed strong skepticism about Iran's claims and questioned the reliability of Iranian state media, he confirmed an investigation would proceed. The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported that missile shrapnel injured 67 additional people at the family gathering, and Iran has characterized the incident as a war crime while launching retaliatory attacks on US bases in Kuwait and the UAE.

Who is affected

Four deceased individuals: Zarkhatoon Taheri (50), Kolsum Mallahi Nazhdnia (43), Mohammad Mallahi (16), and Amirali Karimi (4)
A fifth victim, a 22-year-old woman, who later died in hospital
67 people injured at the wedding ceremony
US forces at bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (targeted by Iranian retaliatory attacks)
Family members and guests attending the wedding in Sirik, Iran

What action is being taken

The US military is investigating Iranian claims about the alleged strike on the wedding
Iran is launching fresh attacks on US bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in response to the alleged strike
BBC Verify and BBC Persian Forensics are analyzing video and image evidence from the scene

Why it matters

This incident represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran that has lasted over six months, potentially involving civilian casualties that could constitute a war crime if confirmed. The alleged strike on a wedding ceremony heightens international tensions and raises serious questions about civilian protection during military operations, while Iranian retaliation against US bases threatens to further expand the conflict across the region.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC