The United States launched military strikes against targets in southern Iran after an American Apache helicopter was reportedly shot down during a patrol near the Strait of Hormuz, according to US officials.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation was ordered by President Donald Trump and described the strikes as a "self-defense response" to what it called an unprovoked Iranian attack. The strikes reportedly targeted areas in Iran's Hormozgan Province, including locations near Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, and Sirik.

President Trump defended the operation, stating that the US was responding directly to the helicopter incident. American officials said the helicopter crew was rescued near the coast of Oman and is in stable condition.

Iranian officials condemned the strikes and warned that any attack on Iranian territory would be met with a response. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later announced missile and drone launches toward US targets in the region.

The escalation comes despite ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran, with both sides previously expressing interest in reaching a broader