US Airstrike Hits Wedding in Southern Iran, Killing Five

TEHRAN — A United States military airstrike on a wedding ceremony in southern Iran killed five people and wounded 68 others on Tuesday evening, prompting sharp condemnation from Iranian officials who labeled the incident an attack on civilians. The bombing occurred around 8 p.m. local time in Kouhestak, a village in Sirik County within Hormozgan Province.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf addressed the nation shortly after the incident, describing the strike as a deliberate assault on a gathering of families celebrating a marriage. "The American military has committed a war crime by targeting a civilian wedding," Qalibaf stated during a televised address. He confirmed that five individuals lost their lives in the explosion and that dozens more were injured, with emergency crews rushing to the site to treat the wounded.

The attack took place at a venue where guests had gathered for the festivities. Witnesses described a sudden explosion that devastated the area, causing panic among attendees. Local authorities reported that rescue teams are currently working to clear debris and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. The scale of the destruction has raised immediate questions regarding the nature of the target and the precision of the strike.

The United States military has not yet issued a formal statement detailing the rationale behind the operation or acknowledging the specific location as a wedding venue. No official explanation has been provided regarding whether the site was mistaken for a military installation or if the strike was intended to target individuals present at the gathering. The lack of immediate clarification from Washington has fueled speculation and outrage across Iran.

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have remained high in recent months, though this incident marks a significant escalation involving direct strikes on civilian gatherings. Iranian officials have vowed to hold the United States accountable for the deaths, with Qalibaf calling for international intervention to address what he termed an act of aggression. The Foreign Ministry has summoned the US ambassador to protest the attack.

As night fell over Kouhestak, families searched for missing relatives while medical facilities struggled to cope with the influx of trauma cases. The identities of the deceased have not been released, and the full extent of the injuries remains under assessment. Questions linger regarding how a civilian celebration became the target of a military operation, and whether further retaliation or diplomatic fallout will follow the incident. The situation remains fluid as both nations navigate the immediate aftermath of the deadly strike.