The United States carried out strikes against Iran on Tuesday after President Donald Trump said Tehran had downed a U.S. Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz, further clouding hopes for easing tensions between the two nations.
“They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding right now,” Trump told ABC News. “I think the response needs to be very strong, very forceful, and that’s exactly what this one is.”
Iranian state media reported that Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz was targeted and confirmed that a projectile struck the Sirik area. Explosions were also reported in eastern parts of Hormozgan, according to Iran’s Fars news agency.
Trump earlier noted that the two U.S. pilots involved were unharmed.
According to a U.S. official speaking anonymously, the Apache was taken down by a one-way Iranian attack drone.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi did not directly comment on the helicopter incident but warned that foreign forces in the region risk getting caught in accidents or unintended clashes.
“To reduce these risks, the best option is for them to leave,” he said on social media.
