The United States military has commenced what it described as “self-defense strikes” against Iran following the reported downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces began the operation at about 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the directive of President Donald Trump, citing the helicopter incident as the trigger for the action.
According to CENTCOM, the strikes are intended as a measured response to what it termed “Iranian aggression” after the Apache helicopter was allegedly shot down during a patrol mission in the strategic waterway.
“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began launching self-defense strikes against Iran at 5 p.m. ET today at the Commander in Chief’s direction, in response to yesterday’s downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter. The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression,” CENTCOM wrote on X.
The military action comes a day after President Trump disclosed that he had been briefed on the helicopter incident, which reportedly occurred overnight.
Trump said the aircraft was hit while on patrol but noted that the two pilots on board survived without injuries. He also vowed that the United States would respond to the attack.
The latest development marks a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the U.S. military now carrying out direct operations in response to the helicopter’s downing.
