Iran has accused the United States of committing a “war crime” following a missile strike that resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals and left 68 others injured during a wedding celebration in a private residence in the southern coastal city of Kuhestak, Hormozgan province. This incident has heightened concerns about a potential escalation in hostilities between the two nations.
Reports from Iranian media indicate that the attack occurred late Tuesday while the wedding was in progress, with shrapnel and debris from the missile causing casualties among the attendees. Among those who lost their lives were a four-year-old boy, Amir-Ali Karimi, and a 16-year-old named Mohammad Mollahi.
Ali Mollahi, the father of the bride, expressed his devastation, stating, “It’s a terrible thing. I’m extremely worried and upset about what happened – really upset,” as reported by Mehr News.
Ahmad Nafisi, the deputy governor of the province, confirmed that emergency responders quickly arrived at the location to assist the injured and transport them to hospitals.
The spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the US missile strike as a “war crime” and warned that Iran would respond decisively to such “savage crimes.” Additionally, chief Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf highlighted the tragedy of families being affected, labeling the US as the “great Satan.” In a statement on social media platform X, he elaborated, “If a power acts like Satan, picks targets like Satan, and kills like Satan, it’s Satan. Shields a junior Satan that does the same? It’s THE Great Satan.”
This attack marked the end of a fragile month-long truce between the US and Iran, suggesting a return to a cycle of escalating tensions. The US Central Command (Centcom) reported that the strikes targeted Iranian military installations, including air defense systems, radar units, and maritime assets.
In retaliation, Iran launched drones and missiles aimed at US military bases throughout the Middle East, including locations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE. Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a military spokesperson for Iran, pledged a “heavier, broader, and more devastating” response.
Footage captured after the missile strike depicted extensive damage, with a collapsed roof, shattered windows, and debris scattered across the ground. Additionally, videos from a nearby hospital revealed attendees in wedding attire anxiously observing as injured children received medical attention.
A child who was hurt during the wedding recounted the intensity of the explosion, saying, “When we arrived there, an explosion occurred. It was very intense. Bricks, stones, and cement hit me in the face and head, and many others were injured,” according to the state-affiliated Fars news agency.
Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for Centcom, acknowledged reports concerning civilian casualties but emphasized that the US military does not target civilians, in contrast to the actions of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Earlier this year, a missile strike on an elementary school resulted in the deaths of at least 156 people, including over 120 children. Investigations indicated that the US may have conducted the strike with AI assistance, although US officials stated that the incident remains under review.
Images of shrapnel recovered from the scene of Tuesday’s attack were released by Iranian state media, showing components consistent with US munitions. Independent weapons analyst Trevor Ball identified remnants from the Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (Slam-Er), a 1,500-pound GPS-guided missile manufactured by Boeing, known for its precision.
It remains unclear whether the missile directly struck the wedding venue or if it detonated nearby, sending debris into the gathering. CCTV footage captured multiple strikes in the vicinity within a short timeframe, with one strike hitting a communications tower approximately 150 meters from the wedding location.
The United States has been concentrating on disrupting communications and radar systems along Iran’s coastline to impede its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global oil supplies. Since the onset of hostilities, Iran has effectively closed off the Strait, which has frustrated US President Donald Trump as he approaches midterm elections amid rising gas prices and inflationary pressures.
In recent weeks, US efforts have focused on degrading Iran’s capability to target vessels passing through the Strait, aiming to restore safe passage for maritime traffic.
