The US has launched strikes on Iran after US President Donald Trump reported that Tehran shot down an American military helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.
Modern.az reports that, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), American military forces launched attacks last night in response to the helicopter being shot down.
CENTCOM's statement reads: “This operation is a proportionate response to Iran's unjustified aggression.”
The “Axios” publication, citing a US official, reports that American military forces struck several of Iran's air defense systems and radars.
US President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that Iran shot down an American Apache attack helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz area a day earlier.
“Our military just informed me that last night the Iranians shot down one of our high-tech Apache helicopters patrolling in the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote on his “Truth Social” platform. “There were two pilots in the helicopter, and both are safe and sound. However, the US must respond to this attack.”
In an interview with ABC News, Trump warned that retaliatory strikes on Iran would be “very powerful.”
“We are responding right now,” said the US president, adding: “This is a response to what they did to our helicopter last night, and I believe the response must be very strong and effective. And it is.”
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi commented on the new US strikes on the social network X.
“Despite their defeats on the battlefield, the US has decided to test our resolve. Our strong armed forces will not leave any attack or threat unanswered,” he wrote, adding: “If you want to be safe, leave our region.”
Later, the "Tasnim" agency published a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The statement said that Iran had sent missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles to US facilities in the region.
The "New York Times" newspaper first reported on the helicopter crash near the Strait of Hormuz last night Washington time (morning in Europe), citing anonymous sources. Soon after, Trump also confirmed the fact of the crash, but neither the newspaper nor the president disclosed why the helicopter went down.
Iran has not officially stated that the American helicopter was shot down by its forces. However, some time after Trump's statement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi called on foreign military forces to leave the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding areas, stating that they could face danger.
“The Strait of Hormuz is not international waters, but an area under joint control between Iran and Oman... Foreign forces close to our territory are constantly at risk due to their human errors, ordinary accidents, or the risk of remaining in the line of fire,” he wrote.
“Therefore, the best way to reduce risks is for them to leave here,” he added.
