US launches new strikes on Iran after helicopter downing
Washington, June 10
US forces launched strikes against Iran after the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter a day earlier, the United States Central Command said.
The US strikes were "very strong, very powerful," US President Donald Trump told ABC News after the operation began.
The strikes started at 5 p.m. US Eastern Time (2100 GMT) at the president's direction, CENTCOM wrote on X.
Following the US announcement several explosions were heard early Wednesday and air defence were activated in the port city of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Sirik County and Jask County in southern Iran, Xinhua news agency reported quoting Iranian media.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that six explosions were heard in Sirik, Qeshm Island and the southern city of Minab, adding that areas in the three regions were attacked by US fighter jets.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump accused Iran of shooting down a US Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz and vowed to respond.
"I have just been informed ... that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache helicopters while (it was) patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz," he said in a post on Truth Social.
Two pilots onboard the aircraft "are safe and uninjured," Trump said, adding "Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack."
The aircraft crashed, and the two crew members were rescued.
The balance is extremely precarious, as confirmed by Israeli army commander Eyal Zamir during a visit to a military exercise in the north of the country. He said the recent wave of attacks against Iran was "just a preparation for a much more significant and powerful blow. The IDF are prepared to act again and inflict another harsh and far-reaching blow against Iran," adding that the Israeli armed forces "continue to maintain the highest level of readiness and preparation to resume operations in Iran."
The US strikes came as Israel renewed attacks in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, following days of tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran and adding to already heightened tensions across the region.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As an American living in India, I'm really worried about this. Trump's impulsive style might have worked for stocks but not for geopolitics. The Iran deal was working and now we're back to brinkmanship. My Indian friends keep asking me why America can't just stay out of these conflicts.
Look at Israel's general practically salivating at the prospect of more war. "Just a preparation for a much more significant blow" - this is madness. India has always advocated for dialogue and diplomacy. The Strait of Hormuz is our lifeline for oil imports. If this escalates, petrol prices in India will skyrocket and our common man will suffer. India must take a neutral position and push for peace.
Can't believe how quickly things have deteriorated. Just a few months ago there was hope of normalization. Now US is bombing Iran again and Israel is attacking Lebanon. Meanwhile, India is stuck between our strategic partnership with Israel, our energy dependence on the Gulf, and our historical friendship with Iran. Diplomatic tightrope walk for our government.
Trump says "very strong, very powerful" strikes like it's a product launch. But real people will die. The helicopter incident seems questionable too - two pilots rescued safely but that justifies bombing multiple Iranian cities? India should formally call for restraint at the UN. We have too many citizens in both Iran and the Gulf to take sides.
I'm no fan of Iran's regime but this is clearly disproportionate response. A helicopter goes down (pilots safe) and you bomb 6 targets across 3 provinces? And Israel is openly saying they want more war. India must remember how the
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