US carries out 'self-defense' strikes on Iran after Apache helicopter loss

The United States launched strikes against Iranian military targets on Tuesday after an American Army Apache attack helicopter was brought down near the Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command said American forces carried out what it described as “self-defense strikes” against Iranian air defense systems, ground control stations and surveillance radar sites near the strategic waterway at the direction of President Donald Trump.

"CENTCOM forces completed self-defense strikes against Iran" on Monday, the military command said in a statement, adding that the operation was a "proportional response" to recent attacks on US forces and commercial shipping in regional waters.

“US forces remain vigilant and postured to defend against unjustified Iranian aggression,” it said.

The strikes came a day after Iran shot down a US Army AH-64 Apache helicopter that was patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz, according to US officials.

President Donald Trump confirmed the incident on social media, saying the aircraft had been brought down overnight but that the two pilots aboard were unharmed.

"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," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack."

A US official said the helicopter went down after colliding with an Iranian drone, reported Associated Press.

It remained unclear whether the collision was intentional. Official statements have said only that the crash is under investigation.

The latest exchange further strained a two-month ceasefire between Iran and Israel that has repeatedly come under pressure.

The truce was tested again this week after Iran and Israel exchanged fire for the first time since the ceasefire took effect.

Iranian state television reported Tuesday that Israeli strikes killed at least two members of the country's air-defense units.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Tehran would retaliate against any further military action.

"Iranian forces will leave no attack or threat unanswered," Araghchi wrote on X. "Leave our region if you want to be safe."

The conflict has rattled global markets, disrupted energy supplies and driven up oil and food prices worldwide.

Efforts to transform an April ceasefire into a lasting peace agreement have stalled, particularly as Israel has intensified military operations against Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon.