U.S. launches strikes against Iran after Apache helicopter shot down

The United States has launched strikes against Iran after an Iranian attack brought down a U.S. Army Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. officials.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes began at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday at President Trump’s direction. CENTCOM described the operation as self-defense strikes and “a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.”

The strikes came after a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache went down near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters. CENTCOM earlier said the helicopter went down at 7:33 p.m. ET on Monday and that the cause of the incident was under investigation.

“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 said in a post earlier Tuesday. “There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack.”

CENTCOM said the two soldiers were rescued by American forces within about two hours. The rescue was led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from U.S. Air Force and Navy units.

Trump told the Wall Street Journal earlier Tuesday that the incident “wasn’t a big deal,” adding that “the pilot is fine.”

As CENTCOM announced the strikes, Trump told ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl that the operation was underway.

“I think it’s very important to respond,” Trump said. “They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding as we speak.”

“This is a response to what they did with our helicopter last night, and I believe the response should be very strong, very powerful, and that’s what this one is,” Trump added.

Iranian semi-official state media reported that multiple locations had been hit. Details on the targets were not immediately available.