The U.S. strikes Iran following downing of Apache helicopter

The United States launched retaliatory strikes against targets in Iran after an American Apache attack helicopter was shot down over the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. President Donald Trump. The strikes commenced Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced, describing the operation as a "proportionate response to unwarranted Iranian aggression."

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This mission is a proportionate response to unwarranted Iranian aggression.

President Trump confirmed the incident on his Truth Social platform, stating that Iranian forces downed the "high-tech Apache helicopter" during a patrol mission. While two pilots were on board and unharmed, Trump asserted that the U.S. "must respond to this attack" with a "very tough and powerful" reaction. CENTCOM reported that the helicopter's pilots were successfully rescued by a maritime drone operated by Task Force 59, based in Bahrain, and were later transferred to safety.

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Our military just informed me that last night the Iranians shot down one of our high-tech Apache helicopters. There were two pilots on board, both unharmed. However, the United States must respond to this attack.

The incident marks the first confirmed loss of an Apache helicopter since February 28, a period marked by heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran. In response to the U.S. strikes, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the action, vowing retaliation. "Our armed forces will not leave any attack or threat unanswered," Araghchi stated on X, also warning Washington to "Leave our region if you want to be safe."

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We are responding right now. This is a reaction to what they did to our helicopter last night. I believe the response should be very tough and powerful.

Iran's Tasnim news agency later reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes against U.S. targets in the region. The New York Times initially reported the helicopter crash, citing anonymous sources, before Trump's confirmation. Tehran has not directly admitted responsibility for downing the helicopter, but Araghchi's call for foreign forces to leave the Strait of Hormuz area shortly after Trump's statement suggests a tense standoff.

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Despite their battlefield defeats, the U.S. has decided to test our resolve. Our armed forces will not leave any attack or threat unanswered.