U.S. Central Command Reviews Civilian Casualties from Strike During Iranian Wedding

<p>U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is conducting an internal review of a civilian casualty incident at a wedding during the strikes in Iran last Tuesday, according to U.S. officials. </p><p><strong>Background:</strong> The incident has not yet been confirmed as resulting from a U.S. strike, but it is noted as one of the significant civilian casualty incidents since the war began six months ago. </p><hr /><ul><li>The most significant civilian casualty incident occurred on the first day of the war when a U.S. strike hit a school, resulting in the deaths of 150 people, most of whom were children. </li><li>A U.S. military investigation into that incident is expected to be finalized soon, according to a U.S. official. </li></ul><p><strong>Details of the Incident:</strong> The Iranian Red Crescent, a humanitarian network, reported that five people were killed and 67 wounded in the blast that struck the home where the wedding was taking place.</p><ul><li>Iranian officials have accused the U.S. of conducting the strike that killed civilians. </li><li>On Wednesday, CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper ordered an internal review of the strike, according to U.S. officials.</li><li>CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins stated, "We're aware of the reports, which originated from Iranian state media, and we are looking into them. The U.S. military never targets civilians, unlike the IRGC." </li></ul><p><strong>Official Statements:</strong> Vice President JD Vance commented during a White House press briefing, "We're investigating it because obviously we care. We want to know, and if we do make mistakes, again, this is a big difference between us and Iran. When our military makes mistakes, they learn from them to try to get better from them. So we're investigating it very fully."</p><p><strong>Investigation Details:</strong> U.S. officials indicated that the strike targeted a communication tower used for both civilian and military communications. </p><ul><li>As part of the preliminary investigation, CENTCOM is reviewing drone footage that monitored the area during the strike and the procedures used to identify the target, according to U.S. officials.</li><li>A U.S. official mentioned that the investigation will check whether munitions fired by the U.S. hit the wedding and will also consider the possibility that an errant Iranian munition fell near the home. </li></ul>