US launches strikes against Iran after helicopter shot down

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military launched fresh airstrikes against Iran hours after President Donald Trump vowed to retaliate for the shooting down of a U.S. Army helicopter.

Forces under U.S. Central Command "began launching self-defense strikes against Iran, at 5 pm ET today at the Commander in Chief's direction, in response to yesterday's downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter," Centcom said on social media.

"The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression," Centcom said.

The extent of the latest strikes wasn't immediately clear but they further undercut an already fragile ceasefire signed in April. The U.S. and Iran have traded attacks over commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz even as Trump has said they are close to signing an agreement to bring the conflict to an end.

The ceasefire was also tested by clashes between Israel and Iran over hostilities in Lebanon, where Israeli forces are battling Tehran-supported Hezbollah militants. Earlier this month, Iran attacked Kuwait and Bahrain with drone strikes.

While Trump and other officials have repeatedly said a deal was close, negotiations have dragged on and the vital Strait of Hormuz has remained shut, keeping global energy prices high and piling pressure on the White House to wind down the conflict.

_____

With assistance from John Harney and Michelle Jamrisko.

_____

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.