Topline
U.S. Central Command launched retaliatory strikes against Iran on Tuesday, according to a statement from the agency, responding after President Donald Trump said Iran downed a U.S. helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, which has threatened to derail a looming peace agreement.
In this U.S. Navy released handout, an F/A-18E Super Hornet prepares to take off from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic Fury.
Photo by U.S. Navy via Getty Images
Key Facts
The “self-defense strikes” were launched against Iran starting at 5 p.m. EDT, Central Command said, directly characterizing the strikes as a “response” to the downing of the U.S. Army Apache helicopter Monday.
Central Command added the strikes were a “proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.”
The U.S. helicopter downed Monday was operated by two U.S. pilots who survived and were rescued.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.