Tehran: Iran and the United States exchanged threats after one of the heaviest military confrontations in recent weeks, with Tehran accusing Washington of bombing a wedding party and labeling it a "war crime."
According to France24.com, President Donald Trump stated that US forces launched a "very heavy attack" on Iranian targets and are ready to conduct further strikes at any moment. Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary, Mohsen Rezaei, warned the US of a "new strategy" in response to the conflict, which began in late February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
In addition to the threats of further military actions, President Trump proposed renaming the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil passageway controlled by Tehran for the past six months, to "Trump Strait." However, he later clarified that the suggestion was not serious.
Following extensive US bombardment on Tuesday across Iran, Iranian forces targeted US bases in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq's Kurdistan region. Iran expressed outrage after the Iranian Red Crescent reported that four people, including a child, were killed and over 50 others injured in a US attack that struck a wedding in southern Iran.
"The truth of this unlawful war of choice -- and the true face of the war crime -- is in Sirik, where a wedding ceremony was brutally bombed as part of America's desperate struggle to conceal its failure," stated Esmaeil Baqaei, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman. Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesman Tim Hawkins emphasized that "the US military never targets civilians, unlike the IRGC," referring to Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, condemned the US for the wedding attack, calling the United States "Satan." He expressed his sentiments on social media, criticizing the United States for its actions.
The recent escalation began with US strikes on Iranian targets, marking the first known attacks in several weeks. In retaliation, Tehran targeted US troops in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, leading to unclaimed attacks on two oil tankers, resulting in the deaths of two Filipino sailors, as reported by a Saudi shipping company.
President Trump stated that the US strikes were in retaliation for an Iranian attempt to plant sea mines in the Strait and for firing missiles at a base in Jordan. The renewed hostilities have been met with regret by some Iranians, who call for a return to negotiations to prevent further suffering.
A video shared by an Iranian government account showed the aftermath of the wedding site in Sirik, depicting scenes of destruction and chaos. Ali Mallahi, the father of the bride and owner of the building hit, expressed relief that the casualties were not higher despite the tragedy.
The conflict, which began on February 28 with US-Israeli attacks that killed Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saw a brief ceasefire collapse after attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Israel's defense minister also stated that the country is prepared to respond with "great force" if Iran attacks during the Jewish high holiday season.