By Ghazali Ibrahim
The United States military has carried out airstrikes on Iranian military installations near the Strait of Hormuz following the downing of a US Apache helicopter in the strategic waterway.
The strikes, which targeted air defence systems, surveillance radar facilities and ground control stations, were confirmed on Tuesday by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). The military described the operation as a series of “self-defence strikes” in response to the helicopter attack that occurred a day earlier.
According to US officials, the Apache helicopter was shot down on Monday while conducting a patrol mission over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes. Both crew members were reportedly rescued shortly after the incident by an American sea drone.
Speaking on the military response, US President Donald Trump defended the operation, saying Washington could not overlook an attack on its forces.
“I think it’s very important to respond. They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding as we speak,” Trump said in an interview with ABC News.
Earlier, however, Trump appeared to minimise the incident during an interview with The Wall Street Journal, describing it as “not a big deal” and noting that the pilot had survived.
Iran strongly condemned the US strikes, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warning that Tehran would retaliate against what it described as aggression.
“Despite its defeats on the battlefield, the U.S. opted to test our determination. Our powerful armed forces will leave no attack or threat unanswered,” Araghchi said.
Although he did not directly address the helicopter incident, Araghchi urged foreign military forces operating in the region to withdraw if they wished to avoid further escalation.
The latest exchange has heightened tensions in the Gulf region, raising concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies and the risk of a wider military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
