The United States has carried out air strikes on Iran after President Donald Trump accused Tehran of being responsible for the downing of a US Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.
According to US Central Command, the strikes were described as a “proportional response” following what Trump called an “unjustified attack” on American forces. Iranian state media later reported explosions on Qeshm Island, a key area near the strategically important shipping route.
Trump claimed on social media that Iran had shot down an AH-64 Apache helicopter while it was on patrol over the strait. However, US officials later revealed the aircraft may have collided with an Iranian drone, with investigations still ongoing into whether the crash was intentional.
The two American service members onboard survived after being rescued in what officials described as the first known US military drone rescue at sea. A 24-foot unmanned vessel reportedly located the pilots before they were later picked up by a helicopter.
Iran strongly denied responsibility for directly targeting the aircraft but warned that foreign military forces operating near its territory were “at constant risk.” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi vowed that Tehran would not leave any attacks unanswered.
The incident has further strained an already fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel, with fresh violence erupting across the region in recent days. Iranian state television also reported that Israeli strikes killed members of the country’s air-defense units.
Meanwhile, global concerns continue to grow over the wider conflict, which has already impacted energy prices and international shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit corridors.
Despite the escalating tensions, Trump claimed negotiations for a possible deal with Iran were still ongoing and suggested an agreement could potentially be reached within days.
