The United States has launched military strikes against Iran following the downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter, marking a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran.
In a statement posted on its verified X account on Monday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces began carrying out what it described as “self-defense strikes” against Iranian targets at 5 p.m. Eastern Time under the direction of President Donald Trump.
According to CENTCOM, the operation was launched in response to the destruction of an American Apache helicopter a day earlier. The military command described the action as a “proportional response” to what it called “unjustified Iranian aggression.”
“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) 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,” the statement read.
The command did not immediately provide details on the targets hit, the scale of the operation, or the extent of any damage inflicted during the strikes. It also did not specify where the Apache helicopter was brought down or how many personnel were aboard the aircraft at the time of the incident.
The latest development comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, with both countries exchanging accusations over security incidents in the region. Analysts warn that the military action could further increase instability in the Middle East if diplomatic efforts fail to contain the crisis.
Iranian authorities had not issued an immediate response to CENTCOM’s announcement at the time of filing this report.
The strikes represent one of the most direct U.S. military responses against Iran in recent months and are expected to draw close attention from international leaders concerned about the potential for a broader regional conflict.