WASHINGTON DC: The United States (US) has carried out military strikes against targets in Iran in response to the downing of an American helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US military.
US Central Command (Centcom) said the operation began at 5:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday and described the strikes as a “proportional response” to what it called Iranian aggression. Reports citing US officials said the attacks targeted Iranian air defence and radar installations in the southern part of the country.
The military action followed an incident in which a US Apache helicopter was brought down near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Both crew members were rescued by an American unmanned maritime vehicle, officials said.
Reacting to the strikes, Iran’s Foreign Minister warned that the country would respond to any attack or threat. In a message posted on social media, he stated that Iran’s armed forces would not leave any hostile action unanswered.
The latest escalation comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East. It follows Israeli attacks on positions linked to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon earlier this week, raising concerns about the possibility of broader regional instability.
(Inputs from BBC)
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