UN chief expresses concern over civilian casualties in US strikes on Iran

UNITED NATIONS — UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over civilian casualties reported in recent US airstrikes on Iran, his spokesperson said Wednesday. Speaking at a daily briefing, Stéphane Dujarric said the secretary-general was alarmed by reports that civilians had been killed, noting that one of the strikes hit a venue in Iran where a wedding ceremony was being held. Guterres called on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and condemned attacks on civilians, Dujarric said. Iran's Red Crescent said Tuesday that a US strike on the southern city of Sirik had targeted a wedding ceremony, killing five people and wounding 68. The Iranian relief organization did not specify whether the toll covered only wedding attendees or included others in the area.