LONDON/WASHINGTON, D.C.: An explosion at a wedding gathering in southern Iran that killed four people and injured at least 68 others on September 1 was caused by a U.S. munition directly hitting the building, rather than by a weapon that had first struck another target.

A review of photographs and videos verified by Reuters has raised fresh concerns about civilian casualties in the U.S. campaign against Iran. It is the most serious incident since a missile hit a primary school in Minab in February, killing more than 175 children and teachers, according to Iranian officials.

U.S. Central Command said American forces carried out strikes in southern Iran on September 1. The targets included air defense positions belonging to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, along with radar and communications facilities. The attacks followed Iranian strikes on U.S. military positions around the Gulf.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on September 3 that American authorities were examining what happened at the wedding. "We're investigating it because obviously we care. We want to know," he said at a White House briefing.

The U.S. military said it was aware of the reports and was investigating them. Iran's UN mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Witnesses said many people had gathered at a home for a wedding ceremony when the explosion occurred. Images reviewed by Reuters show that a munition probably struck the roof of the house. Weapons experts said the evidence was consistent with a direct strike.

Gareth Collett, a retired British Army brigadier and explosives expert, said the weapon could have missed its intended target. He said even advanced weapons can sometimes miss their targets.

The aftermath showed destruction. Blood-covered shoes were seen among the rubble, while wedding decorations lay scattered across the damaged area. An eyewitness told Reuters that several houses had been destroyed and people were trapped under the debris.

Two U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, said American forces had conducted strikes near Kuhestak on September 1 and targeted a telecommunications tower. Satellite images put the tower about 135 meters from the wedding location. Iranian media reported that the tower was hit at about 9:30 pm local time.

The official said U.S. authorities were considering several explanations for the deaths and injuries. These included a direct U.S. strike, an Iranian air defense missile that may have ricocheted, or an interceptor that went off course.

The death and injury figures were reported by the Balochestan Human Rights Documentation Network and Haalvsh, organizations that monitor rights abuses. They identified three victims as wedding guests: Kolsoom Mollahi Najhandania, 43, Zarkhatoon Taheri, 50, and four-year-old Amir Mohammad Karimi. The fourth victim, 16-year-old Mohammad Mallahi, was reportedly riding a motorcycle near the communications tower when he was killed. Iranian media confirmed the names.

The blast came more than six months after the Minab school strike on February 28, shortly after U.S. and Israeli attacks began the current conflict. That earlier strike caused a far higher civilian death toll, according to Iranian authorities.