Kathmandu— The Iranian Red Crescent Society has urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate a deadly missile strike by the United States that hit a wedding party in the southern town of Kuhestak, killing at least four people and wounding 67 others. The attack took place on Tuesday night local time and is described as a potential war crime due to its impact on civilians.

Red Crescent's Call for Investigation

In a letter sent to the ICC, the Iranian Red Crescent Society emphasized that the location of the attack was civilian in nature. The group called for an independent and impartial investigation into the incident, noting that international law prohibits attacks against civilians or objects with known potential for causing disproportionate harm.

US Central Command's Response

The US Central Command acknowledged reports of the attack but stated that it does not target civilians. However, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed this claim, citing past instances where the United States has attacked civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan.

ICC's Potential Role

Although neither the US nor Iran are signatories to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, a human rights group named Dawn suggested that Iran could still accept ad hoc jurisdiction over crimes committed on its territory from a specific date. This would allow the ICC to investigate any strikes on Iranian soil.

UN Security Council Appeal

Iran’s envoy to the United Nations, Gholamhossein Darzi, has called for the UN Security Council to condemn the attack in Kuhestak. He emphasized that targeting and killing civilians constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.