The United States on Tuesday launched a new round of military strikes against Iran in retaliation for the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The operation began around 5 p.m. Eastern Time, according to US Central Command, which described the attacks as “self-defence strikes” and a “proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.”
President Donald Trump defended the action, saying the United States had no choice but to respond.
“They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding as we speak,” Trump told ABC News. “The response is very strong, very powerful.”
The president had earlier stated on social media that although the two crew members survived the incident, the attack required a military response.
According to US officials, the Apache helicopter was brought down Monday off the coast of Oman by what intelligence assessments indicate was an Iranian-made Shahed drone.
However, one official said it remains unclear whether the aircraft was deliberately targeted or struck inadvertently during ongoing military operations in the region.
The helicopter’s pilot and gunner were rescued unharmed after an unmanned US naval drone vessel reached them in the water and transferred them to safety.
Initial American strikes reportedly targeted military facilities around the Strait of Hormuz, with officials indicating that additional operations could follow depending on developments.
Shortly after the attacks began, reports emerged of explosions in several locations across southern Iran.
Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency reported that residents in the coastal city of Sirik heard multiple explosions, while similar reports came from Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, both strategically located near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian authorities had not immediately provided details on the nature of the blasts or possible damage.
A US official familiar with the operation said Washington views the strikes as a warning to Tehran rather than the start of a broader campaign.
The source added that the United States does not believe the military response will derail ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
The latest confrontation comes amid growing instability across the Middle East, where fighting has intensified on several fronts.
Israeli forces have also launched new attacks in southern Lebanon, including strikes around the city of Tyre, while Iran continues to warn against further Israeli military operations targeting Hezbollah.
The downing of the Apache helicopter and the subsequent US strikes underscore the fragile security situation in the Gulf region, raising fears that the conflict could widen despite continuing diplomatic efforts to prevent a larger war.
