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Vance expressed doubts over reports from Iranian state media, saying he was “extremely sceptical” of its coverage of the conflict.
US Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House. (AFP photo)
US Vice President JD Vance said Washington is investigating an alleged American strike on a wedding gathering in Iran that reportedly killed four civilians, including a child, while casting doubt on Tehran’s account of the incident.
Speaking at a White House briefing on Thursday, Vance said the US was looking into reports that a strike on a wedding in the coastal town of Kuhestak had killed four people and wounded dozens.
“We’re investigating it because obviously we care. We want to know,” Vance said.
However, he expressed doubts over reports from Iranian state media, saying he was “extremely sceptical” of its coverage of the conflict.
Iranian officials said the strike hit a home during a wedding gathering. Four people were initially reported killed, including a child, while nearly 70 others were wounded. Iranian state television later reported that a 22-year-old woman had died in hospital, taking the reported death toll to five.
The Iranian Red Crescent also said the attack on Tuesday night left more than 50 people injured.
Vance Says Civilians Are Not Targets
Vance strongly rejected any suggestion that the US deliberately targets civilians.
“What I can say with 100% confidence is that, unlike the IRGC, the United States never targets civilians in combat,” he said, adding that Washington “never will do that”.
He acknowledged that civilian casualties can occur during military operations, saying that “sometimes things happen”. If US forces make mistakes, he said, they investigate them and use the findings to improve future operations.
Iranian Health Ministry spokesman Hossein Kermanpour said at least 18 people had been killed and 142 injured in US airstrikes between August 30 and September 2.
The reported casualties included people in Sirik and Khuzestan, as well as members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij forces.
Vance Rules Out Talks For Now
The latest reports come amid an escalation in the six-month conflict. Fighting intensified after US raids began on Sunday, while Iran has maintained pressure on shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Vance said Washington was not negotiating with Tehran and would not return to talks unless Iran stopped attacks on commercial vessels.
“The president’s been very clear: we’re not talking to them, and we’re not going to talk to them unless they stop shooting at commercial shipping,” he said.
“The message to the Iranians is simple,” he said. “You’ve got to stop shooting at commercial shipping.”
He said the US was using military, economic and diplomatic pressure to protect commercial shipping and keep oil and gas moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
Quick Answers
Ask News18It is not yet known if the US investigation will confirm Iran’s claims, as US officials state they do not currently have enough information to determine what happened. Vice President JD Vance has expressed extreme scepticism regarding the reports from Iranian state media, though he noted that the US will investigate and learn from the incident if its military is found to have made a mistake.
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