US launches strikes against Iran after Apache helicopter incident: CENTCOM

Washington DC [US], June 10 (HBTV): US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces have begun launching self-defence strikes against Iran in response to what it described as ‘unjustified Iranian aggression’ following the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter.

CENTCOM said the strikes were carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief as a ‘proportional response’ to the incident.

In a post on X on Tuesday (local time), CENTCOM stated, ‘U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began launching self-defence strikes against Iran at 5 p.m. ET today at the Commander in Chief's direction, in response to yesterday's downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter. The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.’

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said an Iranian strike had brought down a US Apache helicopter patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz.

He said both pilots were safe and uninjured, but warned that Washington would respond to the attack.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, ‘I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter!’

His remarks came amid a fresh escalation in hostilities involving Iran and Israel, including reported attacks on an Iranian petrochemical facility and Israeli military bases.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that foreign military forces operating near the Strait of Hormuz should leave the area or remain ‘at constant risk’.

In a post on X, Araghchi said, ‘Foreign forces in proximity to our territory are at constant risk on account of their own human errors, plain accidents, or potentially being caught in crossfire. To reduce risk, best solution is for them to leave. We prefer language of diplomacy but speak other languages too.’

The developments mark a further escalation of tensions in the region amid ongoing exchanges between Iran and Israel. (ANI)