Washington Describes Action as Defensive Response
The United States carried out military strikes against Iranian targets on Tuesday evening following the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
CENTCOM described the operation as a series of “self-defense strikes” and said the action represented a proportional response to what it called unjustified Iranian aggression. The military stated that US Air Force and Navy fighter jets used precision-guided munitions to target Iranian air defense systems, surveillance radar installations, and ground control stations positioned near the strategic waterway.
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump signaled a response, stating that Washington could not ignore the incident involving the Apache helicopter. Trump said the aircraft was conducting patrol operations over the Strait of Hormuz when it was brought down.
Meanwhile, a US official told international media outlets that the strikes were intended as a warning and were not expected to derail ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the broader conflict.
Iran Rejects Responsibility and Issues Warning
Several hours after the initial operation, reports emerged of explosions in the southern Iranian cities of Jask and Bandar Abbas. Subsequently, additional blasts were reported on Qeshm Island, prompting speculation that further rounds of strikes had taken place.
However, Iranian officials strongly denied responsibility for the helicopter incident. Iran’s deputy foreign minister stated that Tehran had no involvement in the attack, while state media quoted military sources as saying no Iranian air operations had been conducted in the Strait of Hormuz during the previous 24 hours.
At the same time, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Tehran would respond to any threat or attack against the country. He urged foreign military forces to leave the region if they sought to avoid confrontation.
The latest exchange has heightened tensions in the Gulf region, raising fresh concerns about the stability of ongoing diplomatic efforts and the possibility of further military escalation.
