TLDR
- U.S. forces struck Iranian air defense and radar targets after an Apache helicopter was downed.
- The two pilots aboard the U.S. Apache were rescued safely and were not injured.
- Iran reportedly used a Shahed drone in the strike near Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iranian state media later reported drone attacks on U.S. military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait.
- The exchange has created uncertainty around U.S.-Iran talks that Trump recently described as near completion.
U.S. Central Command said American forces carried out retaliatory self-defense strikes against targets inside Iran after a U.S. AH-64 Apache helicopter was downed near Oman and the Strait of Hormuz. The operation was conducted under President Donald Trump’s direction, according to reports citing U.S. officials.
The helicopter was reportedly struck by an Iranian-made Shahed drone while on patrol on Monday. U.S. Central Command said the two pilots aboard the aircraft were rescued safely within about two hours and were not injured.
The U.S. military described the strikes as a response to what officials called unprovoked Iranian aggression. Officials said the operation was intended to be proportional and was not designed to expand into a wider war.
Iranian Air Defenses Targeted
A U.S. official told CBS News that American forces hit nearly 20 Iranian targets during the operation. The targets included air defense sites, ground control stations and surveillance radar facilities, according to U.S. Central Command.
Trump later told ABC News that he believed the response should be “very strong” and “very powerful.” His remarks came after he had recently said U.S.-Iran peace negotiations were in their final stage and that an agreement could be possible within days.
The helicopter incident has placed renewed uncertainty over those negotiations. It remains unclear whether diplomatic contacts continued after the strikes and Iran’s reported response.
Iran Reports Regional Drone Attacks
Iranian state media said Iran launched drone attacks early Wednesday local time against U.S. military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait. The reported targets included the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
Kuwait’s military said its air defense systems were intercepting hostile aerial targets. There was no immediate confirmation that any Iranian drones reached their intended targets.
Jordan said it shot down five missiles launched by Iran toward Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which has hosted U.S. military aircraft. Jordanian state media reported that there were no injuries and that explosives experts examined debris from the interceptions.
Iran’s foreign ministry also warned Gulf countries that they had a legal and moral responsibility to prevent U.S. and Israeli operations from using regional territory or facilities. The exchange of strikes has increased concern across the Gulf as governments monitor airspace, military bases and shipping routes near the Strait of Hormuz.
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