The United States conducted retaliatory strikes in southern Iran on Tuesday evening, hours after the US military confirmed that an Army AH-64 Apache helicopter gunship went down near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.
According to local media, explosions were reported in the Sirik area along the Strait of Hormuz. Additional blasts were also reportedly heard in Bandar Abbas and on Qeshm Island.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the attack, stating that forces began launching self-defense strikes against Iran at 5 p.m. ET today in response to yesterday's downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter.
US President Donald Trump blamed Iran for shooting down an American Apache helicopter overnight off the coast of Oman, saying the United States must respond to this attack.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi responded, noting that the Strait of Hormuz is thousands of miles away from US shores and that foreign forces in proximity to their territory are at constant risk.
