US launches strikes against Iran after helicopter downing

The United States has initiated "self-defense strikes" against Iran, with President Donald Trump holding Tehran responsible for downing a U.S. Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes, directed by Trump, began Tuesday at 10 p.m. UK time, targeting radar and air defense facilities along the crucial waterway, according to U.S. Central Command (Centcom) and media reports citing White House officials.

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The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.

Centcom described the mission as a "proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression," signaling that Washington is not seeking a full-scale war. Iran has not yet responded to the strikes. The incident has jeopardized a shaky ceasefire that was announced between the two nations in April.

In a separate development, the two crew members of the downed Apache helicopter were rescued using an unmanned drone boat, a first for the U.S. military at sea. Trump, however, downplayed the helicopter incident in an interview, calling it "wasn't a big deal" and stating the pilot was unharmed. Military officials are investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred during a patrol off the coast of Oman.

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The pilot is fine.

The downing of the helicopter follows recent Iran-Israel exchanges that have shaken the global economy, driving up energy and food prices. Officials have struggled to translate the April ceasefire into a permanent peace deal, especially as Israel expands its military campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah. The U.S. military uses Apache helicopters to enforce a blockade on Iranian oil shipments, aiming to pressure Tehran into a deal.

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It was the first known drone rescue at sea by the U.S. military.