The US military is investigating Iranian claims that its strikes killed at least four people, including two children, at a wedding in southern Iran, Vice-President JD Vance has said. He expressed 'extreme skepticism' over the reports, citing the unreliability of Iranian state media.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) reported that shrapnel from a missile hit a family wedding ceremony at a home in Sirik on Tuesday, prompting Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei to label it a 'war crime'. The US Central Command, however, insisted it 'never targets civilians'.

The US strikes were launched in response to 'attempted attacks' by Iran on American forces. Speaking at a White House briefing on Thursday, Vance said: 'Iranian state media has not been a very good scribe about what's happened in the conflict thus far. So I'm extremely skeptical of this. I know that we're investigating.'

In retaliation, Iran has launched fresh attacks on US bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The IRCS said 67 people were wounded when shrapnel hit the wedding, killing at least four. Iranian state media reported a fifth victim, a 22-year-old woman, died in hospital shortly after.

The deceased were identified as Zarkhatoon Taheri, 50; Kolsum Mallahi Nazhdnia, 43; Mohammad Mallahi, 16; and Amirali Karimi, four. BBC Verify confirmed videos and images showing a destroyed telecommunications tower and severely damaged houses about 130 meters north of it. BBC Persian Forensics found the tower was only 112 meters from the wedding venue.

The conflict with Iran has persisted for over six months since the US and Israel launched a joint attack on the country on February 28. The incident raises concerns about civilian casualties and the escalating tensions in the region, with the US regime's actions coming under scrutiny.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk