Iran says family killed while US military says reports are under investigation
WASHINGTON: A US airstrike on Iran’s Qeshm Island has triggered competing claims over civilian casualties after Iranian officials alleged that a family of three was killed when a powerful bomb struck a residential home late Thursday.
According to Iranian authorities, the attack killed a couple and their two-year-old son, while two other children survived. Officials also said nearly 20 neighbouring families were displaced due to the explosion, which caused extensive damage in the surrounding area.
Meanwhile, an analysis by The New York Times, based on satellite imagery, videos and munitions fragments, suggested the strike likely involved a 2,000-pound Mark-84 conventional bomb. Weapons experts cited the size of the crater and recovered debris as indicators of the munition used.
Satellite imagery examined as questions emerge over target
The New York Times reported that it verified the strike’s location using satellite imagery and eyewitness footage, concluding that no known military installation was located near the damaged residence. Iranian authorities also did not report any military casualties from the incident.
Separately, a US official told The Jerusalem Post that Thursday’s military operation was approximately twice the scale of the previous night’s strikes, describing the campaign as broad, extensive and highly impactful.
US military says civilians are never intentionally targeted
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) acknowledged reports of civilian casualties and confirmed it had begun reviewing the incident. However, the military did not disclose the intended target, the specific weapon used or operational details surrounding the strike.
“We are aware of the reports and are looking into them,” CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said. He reiterated that the US military does not intentionally target civilians.
The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions, with scrutiny increasing over the humanitarian impact of ongoing military operations involving Iran and the United States.
