The United States has launched military strikes on Iran after President Donald Trump accused Tehran of shooting down a US helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.
According to US Central Command (Centcom), the operation began at 17:00 EST (22:00 BST) on Tuesday and was carried out as a response to what it described as Iranian aggression.
“The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression,” Centcom said in a statement.
Earlier, the US military confirmed that the two crew members aboard the downed Apache helicopter were safely rescued by an American sea drone.
“There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack.”
Iranian state television reported explosions and air defence activity in several areas along the Persian Gulf coast, including Bandar Abbas, Qeshm and Sirik, following the strikes.
According to Axios, citing a US official, the attacks targeted multiple Iranian defence and radar systems.
Speaking to ABC News before the operation, Trump said the US response would be “very strong, very powerful” and stressed that action was necessary after the helicopter was brought down.
“We are responding as we speak,” he said.
“This is a response to what they did with our helicopter last night, and I believe the response should be very strong, very powerful, and that’s what this one is.”
US House Speaker Mike Johnson also confirmed that top American officials approved the strikes during a meeting in the Situation Room.
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Johnson described the military action as “proportional and limited” and said it was aimed at addressing “unjustified Iranian aggression”.
“We lament that it became necessary,” he said, adding that “we’re gonna have to take care of this business.”
Johnson disclosed that President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth were among officials present when the decision to launch the strikes was made.
The latest escalation marks a significant rise in tensions between Washington and Tehran, with concerns growing over the potential for wider conflict in the region.
