US Central Command began retaliatory strikes at 5 p.m. ET Tuesday after Iran shot down an American Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Both pilots were rescued safely.
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The United States launched strikes against Iran on Tuesday in response to Iran's downing of an American Apache attack helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, US Central Command announced.
CENTCOM forces began the strikes at 5 p.m. ET Tuesday at the direction of the Commander in Chief. The command described the operation as "a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression."
President Trump confirmed Tuesday that Iran had shot down the Apache helicopter. According to Trump, the aircraft was patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz when it was downed. Two pilots were aboard the helicopter; both were recovered safely and uninjured. The aircraft crashed near the coast of Oman, and the occupants were rescued at 7:33 p.m. ET, according to US Central Command.
Trump had threatened retaliation earlier Tuesday following the helicopter shootdown. In a statement, Trump said he had been informed by armed forces about the incident and stated that "the United States must, by necessity, respond to this attack."
The helicopter downing occurred amid broader tensions in the Middle East. Israeli airstrikes struck Tyre in southern Lebanon after the military ordered the entire city to evacuate. Trump also stated that a Middle East peace deal is in the "final throes" and said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen immediately after a deal is sealed.
The US conducted strikes on Iranian military sites over the weekend in response to a downed drone. Iran then targeted a US base in Kuwait with ballistic missiles, which were intercepted.
President Trump accused Iran of downing a U.S. military helicopter during patrol operations. Both pilots were rescued safely and remain uninjured.
The U.S. military struck an Iranian military facility Wednesday, targeting a site deemed a threat to American forces and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. military conducted defensive strikes Wednesday on an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas, downing four drones near the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump postponed a military strike scheduled for Tuesday following requests from leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates amid ongoing negotiations.
The United Arab Emirates carried out retaliatory military strikes against Iran, including an attack on Lavan Island refinery that caused a large fire, just as a cease-fire was being solidified.