Washington, D.C. – June 9, 2026

The US military conducted airstrikes targeting Iranian objectives on the afternoon of June 9, after concluding that Iranian forces had shot down a US Army Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz the day before.

According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation was carried out under the direction of President Trump and described as "defensive" and "proportionate" attacks in response to what Washington called "unprovoked aggression" from Iran.

CENTCOM stated that the attacks began at 5 PM Eastern US time.

"The objective of the operation is to respond to the downing of the US Army Apache helicopter the previous day," CENTCOM announced.

President Trump: "The US Needs to Respond"

Hours earlier, President Trump confirmed the US military's investigation results, which indicated that Iran had shot down the Apache helicopter while it was on a patrol mission over the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump wrote:

"I have just been informed by the military that Iran has shot down one of our very modern Apache helicopters while it was patrolling the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots on board, and both are safe. However, the US needs to respond to this attack."

When responding to ABC News, President Trump further emphasized:

"It is important to have a response."

However, he also stated that he does not wish for the crisis to escalate into a new full-scale war between the US and Iran.

Pilots Rescued by Unmanned Vehicle

According to information from the US military, after the helicopter was shot down, the two pilots fell into the waters of Hormuz.

A US unmanned surface vessel participated in the search and rescue operation, bringing both individuals to safety approximately two hours after the incident.

US officials confirmed that both pilots survived and were not seriously injured.

Targets Attacked

A US defense official stated that the airstrikes focused on:

  • Iranian military radar systems.

  • Air defense complexes.

  • Areas along the Strait of Hormuz believed to be used for storing or launching drones and other weapons.

Iranian state media later reported that an object struck the port city of Sirik, located near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran Claims No Intentional Downing of Helicopter

Meanwhile, Iranian officials denied intentionally attacking the US helicopter.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi suggested the incident might have been an accident.

A senior Iranian diplomatic official told Al Jazeera that foreign military forces operating near Iranian territory always face the risk of unintended incidents or becoming embroiled in regional conflicts.

However, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Tehran would respond proportionately if the US continued its military actions.

Ceasefire at Risk of Collapse

The incident occurred amid a ceasefire between the US and Iran that had been in place for about two months.

Although both Washington and Tehran declared they still prioritize diplomatic solutions, the latest confrontation is putting the negotiation process in a very fragile state.

Observers believe the coming days will be decisive for the future of the ceasefire and the negotiations concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

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