WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has opened an investigation into a deadly explosion at a wedding ceremony in southern Iran after a US strike on September 1.
The Washington Post reported that US officials are investigating whether an American bomb missed its intended target and struck the building where the wedding was taking place.
The investigation is also examining whether an Iranian air-defense missile could have caused the blast. However, early evidence has raised the possibility that a US munition hit the wedding venue.
US strike targeted communications site
The US military carried out strikes against Iranian military and communications targets on September 1.
According to the Washington Post report, US aircraft dropped six bombs during an attack on a communications facility. One munition may have missed its intended target.
The report said the US used glide bombs with 500-pound warheads in the operation. Investigators are now working to determine exactly what caused the deadly explosion.
Reuters separately reported that weapons experts who reviewed verified images and videos found the damage was likely caused by a direct hit from a US munition. The analysis pointed to a 500-pound air-dropped bomb.
Wedding venue near the intended target
The wedding took place in Kuhestak, in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province.
The building hosting the ceremony stood close to a telecommunications facility targeted by US forces. Reuters reported that the wedding venue was about 135 metres from the targeted communications tower.
Iranian state media initially reported different casualty figures. Later reports said four people, including a child, were killed and at least 68 others were injured.
US officials investigate civilian casualties
US Vice President JD Vance said the United States was investigating the incident.
The Pentagon’s inquiry will seek to establish whether the US strike caused the explosion and, if so, how the munition reached the wedding venue.
The investigation could also examine the choice of weapon, the intended target and the measures taken to avoid civilian casualties
