US launches 'self-defence strikes' against Iran, as Tehran vows to respond
The strikes were launched in response to the downing of a US helicopter yesterday, according to US Central Command
President Trump has begun launching “self-defence strikes” against Iran, according to the US military.
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Explosions have been heard in several areas of Iran, including attacks on the island of Qeshm and Bandar Abbas, according to state media. The strikes began around 5pm Eastern Time (10pm in the UK) on Tuesday.
"Several explosions" were heard in eastern areas of Hormozgan, including Kohstak, Sirik, and Minab, the Fars news agency said, adding that "local sources also report defence activity in some parts of the province”.
Tehran has vowed to respond to the attacks, as Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, took to X to claim that the US has "opted to test our determination" despite "defeats on the battlefield".
"Leave our region if you want to be safe," he writes, adding: "Our powerful armed forces will leave no attack or threat unanswered."
Read more: Trump says US will ‘respond’ after accusing Iran of downing Apache helicopter over Hormuz
The strikes were carried out under Trump’s direction "in response to the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter" yesterday, according to a statement from US Central Command.
The statement added: "The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression”.
The US military attacked several Iranian air defence and radar systems around the Strait of Hormuz, according to Axios reports, which cite a senior US official.
President Trump described the strikes as "very strong" and "very powerful", telling ABC News: "I think it's very important to respond. They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding as we speak”.
"I believe in responding in a strong manner. I always have throughout my life. This is a response to what they did with our helicopter last night, and I believe the response should be very strong, very powerful, and that's what this one is."
President Donald Trump previously warned the US would “respond” after accusing Iran of shooting down the aircraft while it was patrolling the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the two pilots on board “are safe and uninjured” but added: “Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack.”
Earlier on Tuesday, US Central Command said an American AH-64 Apache had gone down “near the coast of Oman” on Monday evening.
Centcom did not initially blame Iran, saying only that the incident remains under investigation.
The two soldiers aboard were rescued within about two hours by US Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, according to Centcom.
The incident happened a day after Iran and Israel said they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from Trump, though Tehran warned it would resume hostilities if Israel continued to hit Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The AH-64 Apache, which costs roughly $35 million to $40 million, has been used by the US military in operations around the Strait of Hormuz, where American forces maintain a major presence and have helped police a blockade of Iranian ports.
The resumption of the tenuous ceasefire comes as Washington tries to reach an agreement with Tehran to end their more than three-month-old war.
Trump also told reporters he could have "an idea" for an Iran deal within a few days, without elaborating.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 9, 2026
The weekend saw the most direct confrontation between Iran and Israel since a ceasefire in April.
Tehran had fired missiles towards Israeli territory late on Sunday, calling the strikes retaliation for attacks on the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia on the outskirts of Beirut.
Israel then hit Iranian air defence systems and a petrochemical plant that it said was used to produce ballistic missiles.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it retaliated with a strike aimed at a similar Israeli plant in the city of Haifa.
No deaths were reported by authorities on either side.
US and Israeli officials said Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Monday.