U.S. Launches Strikes on Iran After Trump Blames Tehran for Downing Apache Helicopter

U.S. Retaliatory Strikes Begin

The United States launched military strikes against Iran on Tuesday evening, hours after President Donald Trump blamed Tehran for shooting down a U.S. Army Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command confirmed that operations began at 5 p.m. Eastern Time “at the Commander in Chief’s direction,” framing the action as “a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.”

The helicopter incident occurred Monday when an AH-64 Apache went down off the coast of Oman. Both crew members were rescued within two hours by a Task Force 59 unmanned surface vessel and were reported to be in stable condition with no life-threatening injuries.

Conflicting Accounts Emerge

A U.S. official speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the helicopter went down after colliding with an Iranian drone — though it remains unclear whether the collision was deliberate. Another U.S. official stressed that current indications point to an Iranian drone being responsible for the crash. An official investigation remains underway.

Trump, posting on Truth Social, stated: “I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack.”

Explosions Reported Across Southern Iran

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported multiple explosions were heard in Sirik and Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz region, approximately 80 kilometers from Minab. The broadcaster acknowledged the U.S. had claimed responsibility for “this military aggression” while noting that contrary to rumors, no impacts had been reported in Tehran, Minab, or Bandar Abbas.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded defiantly, posting on X that “foreign forces in proximity to our territory are at constant risk on account of their own human errors, plain accidents, or potentially being caught in crossfire. To reduce risk, the best solution is for them to leave. We prefer the language of diplomacy but speak other languages too.”

Ceasefire Talks in Jeopardy

The strikes cast serious doubt over the fragile ceasefire that has been in effect since April between the U.S. and Iran. Trump had repeatedly claimed a peace deal was imminent, telling reporters Tuesday: “We’re in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal that will not allow in any way, shape or form nuclear weapons. The strait will open up right away.”

He said an agreement could be reached within “two or three days” and even suggested it could be done “in one hour, if you want to know the truth.” The president added: “I don’t think there are any sticking points. I think we’re very close to having a very, very good, strong, powerful deal.”

However, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf struck a more combative tone, posting on X: “We prefer the language of diplomacy, but we speak other languages far more fluently. Break your commitments, and we’ll switch to what we speak best.”

Strait of Hormuz Crisis Deepens

The Strait of Hormuz — which carries approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply — has become a critical flashpoint. The latest escalation comes after weeks of heightened tensions, including Iranian missile attacks on Israel and Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Last week, Trump was asked what his red line was for the ceasefire and he responded that it would be if American troops were killed.

Oil prices climbed following news of the U.S. strikes, with markets reacting to the potential disruption of shipping through the vital waterway. Trump emphasized he intended to restore full traffic through the strait as part of any negotiated settlement.

The situation remains volatile, with the U.S. framing the strikes as self-defense and Iran vowing that its “Powerful Armed Forces will leave no attack or threat unanswered.”

Sources: Associated Press, NPR, CENTCOM, Republic World, IRIB

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