US launches military strikes against Iran after downing of helicopter

The U.S. military launched "self defense" attacks against Iran on Tuesday evening in response to the downing of an American helicopter, officials said.

"U.S. Central Command forces began launching self-defense 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," CENTCOM posted on X. "The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned his country will retaliate against the U.S. strikes, stating "no attack or threat" will be left "unanswered."

"Despite its defeats on the battlefield, the U.S. opted to test our determination," Araghchi posted on X. "Our Powerful Armed Forces will leave no attack or threat unanswered.

Leave our region if you want to be safe."

The move comes after President Donald Trump warned Iran that the U.S. would need to retaliate after an Apache helicopter was downed overnight near the Strait of Hormuz. The crew was successfully rescued and no one was harmed in the crash. 

The downed aircraft is the first Apache helicopter known to be lost in the conflict with Iran. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.