US launches strikes on Iran after Trump vows 'powerful' response to downing of helicopter
The US has launched strikes on Iran after President Donald Trump accused the country of shooting down an American helicopter.
Earlier, Trump vowed to retaliate ‘immediately’ after the helicopter was downed while patrolling the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: "There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured.
"Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack.”
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Speaking to ABC, Trump said: "We are responding as we speak.
"This is a response to what they did, they did with our helicopter last night, and I believe the response should be very strong, very powerful, and that’s what this one is."
A US official has said the Apache helicopter crashed after colliding with an Iranian drone.
It is not clear whether the collision was intentional, and official statements have only said the crash is under investigation.
The US military has since confirmed that it has begun strikes.
In a statement posted to social media, US Central Command said: “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began launching self-defense strikes against Iran at 5 p.m. ET today at the Commander in Chief’s direction, in response to yesterday’s downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter.
“The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.”
US Central Command spokesperson Captain Timothy Hawkins said that the crew were rescued from the water by a sea drone.
Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said in a social media post that the strait is ‘thousands of miles away from US shores’.
“Foreign forces in proximity to our territory are at constant risk on account of their own human errors, plain accidents, or potentially being caught in crossfire,” he wrote.
“To reduce risk, [the] best solution is for them to leave.”
Iran’s state media has said explosions and air defence sirens have been heard in several locations along the Persian Gulf coast.
Prior to accusing Iran of downing the US helicopter, Trump had expressed renewed optimism over negotiations with Iran.
‘We have a good chance’ of signing a deal in ‘two or three days’, Trump said on Monday.
He did not provide any details on why there was reason for new optimism. In the two months since the US and Iran agreed to an initial ceasefire, Trump has repeatedly predicted that a deal is near.
“We’re very close to having a very, very good, strong, powerful deal,” the president said.
Topics: US News, Donald Trump, Politics
Claire Reid