Iranian Red Crescent Asks ICC to Review Alleged U.S. Strike

Iranian Red Crescent Society submitted a communication to the International Criminal Court prosecutor concerning an alleged U.S. strike on a wedding in the province of Hormozgan, killing at least four people and wounding 67 people.

In the letter dated Sept. 2, the society stated that based on initial reports, the strike took place at around 9:30 p.m. local time in Kuhestak, Sirik County, with U.S. forces implementing the strike.

According to the letter, some of the wounded are reported to be in critical conditions and the number of victims is likely to increase after the full investigation is conducted.

Since the event happened in a place allegedly hosting a family wedding, the society believes that such an incident raises serious concerns according to international humanitarian law. Therefore, it requested the start of an independent, impartial, comprehensive and efficient investigation.

The submission referred to Articles 48, 51 and 57 of Additional Protocol I and customary international humanitarian law. The submission relied upon the principles of distinction, proportionality and feasible precautionary measures to minimize harm to civilians.

Moreover, the letter mentioned Article 8 of the Rome Statute. Intentional attacking civilians and civilian objects can be considered a war crime if all the necessary elements are proved.

Separately, the United States Central Command announced that its forces have carried out strikes on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in Iran on Sept. 1. Among the targets there are air defense, radar, maritime, mine-laying and communications systems.

CENTCOM attributed its operation to recent attempted IRGC attacks against commercial shipping and American service members. Its statement did not mention a wedding ceremony or report civilian casualties.

The provided information does not show that the alleged wedding strike is connected to the CENTCOM’s operation. No reaction of the U.S. authorities on the Iranian Red Crescent’s allegation was provided in it.