US strike kills 4 in Iran wedding
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The gist
US strike killed 4 at a wedding in Kuhestak, Iran, wounding 68.
Iran retaliated against US bases, escalating Gulf conflict.
Background
The US has been conducting strikes against Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets near the Strait of Hormuz, accusing them of attempted attacks on shipping. On September 1, 2026, a US strike hit a residential home in Kuhestak, Sirik county, where a wedding was taking place, killing four people including a child and wounding over 50. Iran condemned the strike as a war crime and retaliated by attacking US bases in the region.
How it unfolded
- Sep 1, 2026US Central Command began striking IRGC targets at 12:00 ET, accusing them of attempted attacks on shipping. A strike hit a wedding in Kuhestak, killing four and wounding dozens.
- Sep 2, 2026Iranian Red Crescent reported four killed and over 50 injured. Deputy governor later said five killed and 68 injured. Iran accused the US of a war crime.
- Sep 2, 2026Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US bases in the Middle East, including in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
Who’s saying what
- Iran
- Iranian officials and Red Crescent called the strike a war crime, with top negotiator Ghalibaf calling the US 'Satan'.
- US
- CENTCOM spokesman Tim Hawkins said 'the U.S. military never targets civilians, unlike the IRGC.'
Still unverified
The exact number of casualties is disputed: initial reports said four killed, deputy governor later said five, with no explanation for the change. A weapons expert told AP that fragments indicated an American air-delivered guided weapon, but this is not officially confirmed.