US Central Command denies targeting civilians after reported wedding strike in Iran

A reported US airstrike struck a residence in Sirik County, Iran, during a wedding celebration on September 1, killing at least four people and wounding dozens more, according to Iranian state media. US Central Command responded by asserting that it does not target civilians, framing the strike as part of ongoing operations against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. What happened in Kuhestak The strike hit a location in Kuhestak, a settlement in Sirik County within Iran’s Hormozgan province, while a wedding celebration was underway. Iranian media and officials reported between four and five people killed, with around 68 to 70 individuals wounded. Among the identified victims were Amir Ali Karimi, a four-year-old child, alongside Mohammad Malahi, aged 16, Kolsoum Malahi, aged 43, and Zarkhatoun Taheri, also 43. Iranian officials said the majority of the wounded were women and children. Hormozgan province sits along Iran’s southern coast, facing the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through that narrow channel. CENTCOM’s statement was blunt in its denial. “The U.S. military never targets civilians, unlike the IRGC,” the command said. CENTCOM chara...