The US military carried out a ‘self-defense attack’ in response to the downing of a US Apache helicopter, and Iran later retaliated against US targets in neighboring countries.
New clashes have led to a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, with the two sides attacking each other following the downing of a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter on June 8, 2026. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) described the U.S. airstrikes as “a proportional response to unprovoked Iranian attacks.”
Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump pledged retaliation after admitting that the Apache fighter jet was actually shot down. Iran later launched its own retaliation, targeting U.S. facilities in the neighboring country.
Apache shot down
A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz on the evening of June 8, 2026. The two crew members were later safely rescued near the coast of Oman by the Saronic Technologies Corsair unmanned surface vessel (USV) operated by the U.S. Navy Task Force 59.
The cause of the incident was initially unknown and officials said it was already under investigation. However, a few hours later, President Trump announced on social media that Iran had “shot down” the helicopter and pledged revenge.
Unnamed officials later said Iran’s Shahed drone was believed to be responsible for the attack, and it was not yet clear whether it was a deliberate targeted action or an accidental collision. Iran has refuted claims that the shooting down was intentional.
This incident was the first time an Apache was lost during Operation Epic Fury, and the first time a U.S. Army Apache was shot down since the Iraq War. U.S. Apache helicopters have been operating in the region for several months on armed patrol missions to support freedom of navigation.
american strike
In response to President Trump’s statement, CENTCOM began a series of “self-defense strikes against Iran” on the evening of June 9, beginning at 5:00 PM ET/12:30 AM Iranian time. The statement said the attack was a proportionate response to Iran’s unprovoked attack on the downed Apache helicopter.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces launched a self-defense attack against Iran at 5 PM ET today under the direction of the Supreme Commander in response to the downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter that occurred yesterday. This mission is a proportional response to the unjustified Iran.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 9, 2026
Four hours later, CENTCOM announced the strike was complete. The statement said U.S. forces “attacked Iranian air defense, ground control, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz with precision weapons from U.S. Air Force and Navy fighter jets.”
https://t.co/nmeOOVXAcD
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 10, 2026
Officials later detailed that a total of nearly 20 targets were hit. According to open source reports, the targets appear to be primarily located off the coast of Iran and the island of Qeshm near the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States has struck nearly 20 targets in Iran, U.S. officials said.
— Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) June 10, 2026
Officials later said. CNN The attack was intended as a ‘warning shot’ to Iran and is not believed to disrupt ongoing negotiations to end the conflict.
US and Iranian attacks have been reported through tonight as Hormuz is once again embattled. pic.twitter.com/2s5Bt92p3p
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 10, 2026
Iran’s Retaliation
Iran said the U.S. airstrikes were a clear violation of its sovereignty and warned that neighboring countries hosting U.S. facilities could be targeted. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has already launched retaliatory attacks on American targets in neighboring countries.
The IRGC claimed that it attacked Jordan’s Muwafak Salti Air Base with long-range solid-fuel missiles and attacked U.S. 5th Fleet facilities in Bahrain with drones. Sirens were also sounded in Kuwait and there was a possibility of an attack targeting the Ali Al Salem air base.
It was reported that several Iranian ballistic missiles were launched from Khomein just minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/zWY6NDCMkn
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 10, 2026
U.S. officials later said they were not aware of any U.S. casualties or damage to U.S. facilities, adding that nearly all missiles and drones had been intercepted. The three targeted countries issued similar statements, saying they had intercepted a number of Iranian weapons without reports of casualties or damage.
U.S. officials said they were not currently aware of any reports of harm to U.S. personnel or known damage to U.S. locations. Only a number of missiles and drones launched by Iran have been intercepted and evaluations are ongoing.
— Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) June 10, 2026
The video showed Iran launching at least some ballistic missiles. Likewise, some videos showed air defenses in action, possibly involving Patriot interceptors.
PATRIOT SAM systems are engaging Iranian ballistic missiles entering the skies over Bahrain this morning. pic.twitter.com/J9tipyyccZ
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 10, 2026
aftermath
After the strike, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Bagai said Iran was “reviewing” negotiations with the United States. He accused the United States and Israel of “repeated ceasefire violations.”
“Unfortunately, the United States is undermining this process through contradictory messages, frequent changes in positions and demands, and repeated ceasefire violations,” he said, adding, “Israel has also shown its malice through repeated attacks on Lebanon.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly had a phone call with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Türkiye after the U.S. airstrike. CNN. Meanwhile, Egypt, Qatar and the UAE condemned the Iranian airstrikes.
The United States has not yet issued any new official statements beyond CENTCOM’s statement. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the strike “became necessary” after the decision to launch airstrikes, adding, “The United States is going to have to take care of this business.”
