Vance casts doubt on reports of U.S. strike hitting Iranian wedding
Vice President Vance said Thursday he is highly doubtful of Iranian state media reports that a U.S. missile killed civilians at a wedding in southern Iran, citing the regime's unreliable record. He confirmed the U.S. is investigating the Tuesday strike in Kuhestak, which reportedly killed at least five and injured dozens, while insisting the U.S. never deliberately targets civilians. The strike was part of broader U.S. military action against Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in the area.
The Tuesday strike in Kuhestak occurred amid a broader U.S. military campaign against Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps positions, with Central Command listing air defense, radar, maritime, mine-laying, and communications infrastructure among the targeted assets. The New York Times reported the missile originated from U.S. forces engaging nearby military sites.
Vance acknowledged the investigation is ongoing while noting Iranian state media's credibility issues throughout the conflict. He maintained the U.S. does not deliberately target civilians, though he conceded "sometimes things happen." Separately, Vance characterized the current hostilities as something short of a formal war, noting no active shooting is underway.
The discrepancy between U.S. and Iranian accounts of civilian casualties could shape public perception of American military operations in the region. Families in coastal Iranian communities near strategic waterways may face heightened anxiety as strikes continue, while domestic audiences may weigh assurances of precision targeting against reports of civilian harm. The incident could also influence diplomatic tensions and international scrutiny of U.S. rules of engagement.