Iran news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
US strikes hit a wedding in Kuhestak, killing four and wounding 68. The attack escalates a conflict that began in February.
Background
The US and Iran have been engaged in military conflict since February 2026, with a recent month-long lull broken by new strikes. The US says its strikes target military assets, while Iran reports civilian casualties, including a wedding party hit in Kuhestak. The conflict has drawn in regional actors and raised concerns over civilian safety and oil shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
How it unfolded
- Feb 27, 2026US and Israel launched military operations against Iran, starting the conflict.
- Aug 30, 2026US strikes Iranian targets, including rocket launchers on Larak Island, after a month of no military action.
- Sep 1, 2026US launches 'large and powerful' strikes on Iran, with Trump citing retaliation for sea mines and missile attacks.
- Sep 2, 2026Iranian media report a US strike hit a wedding in Kuhestak, killing four and wounding 68. Iran retaliates with missile attacks on Jordan and claims tanker hits.
- Sep 4, 2026US and Iran continue trading strikes, with US hitting Iranian oil tankers and Iran attacking commercial vessels.
Who’s saying what
- US
- US military says it never targets civilians and is investigating the wedding strike, while warning of stronger retaliation if Iran responds.
- Iran
- Iranian officials call the strikes 'economic terrorism' and violations of sovereignty, vowing resistance.
- UN
- UN Secretary-General Guterres condemns the escalation and expresses concern over civilian casualties.
- Analysts
- Analysts note Iran's resilience and suggest Tehran is watching US midterm elections to inflict maximum political pain.
Still unverified
The death toll from the wedding strike was initially reported as five by a deputy governor, later revised to four by state media. The US military is investigating the incident.