The United States has launched a fresh wave of military strikes against Iran. The action follows a direct warning from US President Donald Trump, who held Iran responsible for shooting down an American helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes were executed just hours after the accusation was made.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the development on Wednesday. In a post on social media platform X, CENTCOM stated that the strikes commenced at 5:15 PM US Eastern Time (after midnight Thursday, local time in Iran).
CENTCOM further stated that the military action was taken in response to Iran's "unprovoked and continued aggression." However, the exact locations targeted within Iran were not explicitly disclosed.
According to Iranian media reports, loud explosions were heard in the port city of Bandar Abbas. Blasts were also reported in Qeshm Island, Gorgan, Sirik, and towns south of Minab.
Iran's Mehr News Agency reported that authorities activated air defense systems in the western sector of the capital, Tehran. Information regarding casualties or the extent of damage remains unavailable at this stage.
Response to "Unjustified Aggression"
US Central Command reiterated that the operation was a direct response to Iran's unjustified aggression. Explosions have been widely reported across the coasts of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Furthermore, CENTCOM revealed that the two crew members of the downed US Apache helicopter were rescued using an American sea drone. This marks the first time the US military has officially acknowledged the deployment of such an unmanned vessel in a rescue operation.
"There were two pilots; both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States had to respond to this attack," President Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
US officials maintain that Iran carried out the attack using a drone. However, an anonymous US official speaking to CBS News (the BBC's US partner) stated that it remains unclear whether the Iranian drone intentionally targeted the helicopter.
Iranian state media confirmed the downing of the helicopter but noted that the semi-official Mehr News Agency reported Iran has not claimed responsibility for the incident. Hours later, CENTCOM announced the retaliatory strikes, describing them as a proportionate response to Iran's actions.
According to the US news website Axios, the fresh strikes specifically targeted Iran's defense and radar systems.
Leaders React to Escalation
In a telephone interview with ABC News, President Trump squarely blamed Iran for the situation.
"This is a response to what they did to our helicopter last night. I believe the reaction should be very strong and powerful, and that is exactly what this strike is," Trump said.
Returning to Washington, House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that he was present when President Trump made the decision to resume strikes on Iran. "It is unfortunate that this became necessary, but this is a situation we must handle," the top Republican leader added.
In response, Iran's Foreign Minister issued a stern warning to the US, declaring that no attack or threat would go unanswered. Writing on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated:
Broader Regional Conflict
The potential for US military action against Iran loomed large on Tuesday as Israeli forces carried out strikes across southern Lebanon. Tehran had previously warned that Israeli actions in southern Lebanon would trigger a new wave of counterattacks.
On Tuesday, Araghchi remarked that foreign forces operating near Iranian territory are always at risk due to "human error, simple accidents, or mistaken gunfire." He added, "The best solution to reduce risk is for them to leave the region."
Minutes before Trump commented on Tuesday’s helicopter downing, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf—Iran’s top negotiator in peace talks with Washington—hinted at retaliation on social media.
"We prefer the language of diplomacy, but we know how to speak other languages very well. If you break your promises, we will speak in the best language at our disposal," Qalibaf wrote.
The developments mark a resumption of hostilities between Israel and Iran, following a ceasefire in April that had concluded weeks of tit-for-tat strikes. Trump had publicly urged both nations to halt firing immediately, warning that they were jeopardizing a broader regional deal aimed at ending the conflict between Tehran and Washington.
On Truth Social, Trump noted that while Israel and Iran sought an "immediate ceasefire," "ignorance or stupidity" was blocking the path to peace. He told reporters on Tuesday, "We are at the very final stages of a deal that will be very good." He added that it could take "two or three days" to finalize, after which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened.
Details of the Rescue Operation
In an earlier statement on Tuesday, CENTCOM disclosed that the two crew members of the downed Apache helicopter were rescued at 7:33 PM local time on Monday.
The rescue operation was led by US Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, supported by US Air Force and Navy assets, including the US Fifth Fleet's Task Force 59.
A CENTCOM spokesperson told the BBC that an unmanned surface drone operated by the Bahrain-based Task Force 59 recovered the crew members. The drone transported the personnel to another maritime location, where they were subsequently airlifted by a helicopter.
Sources: ABC News, BBC, Euro News, The Guardian
