Iran's foreign minister warns US to leave the region after Hormuz strikes

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Washington to withdraw its forces from the region following US strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, saying any attack or threat against Iran would not go unanswered. In a statement on Wednesday, Araghchi said US forces should leave the area if they want to remain safe. The comments came after US Central Command carried out strikes on Iranian positions near the strait. American officials described the operations as "defensive" and "proportional," carried out in response to the downing of an Apache helicopter. They said the airstrikes targeted air defense systems and radars in southern Iran. Iranian media reported explosions in the Kashem, Sirik, Minab and Bandar Abbas areas of Hormozgan province, but said the situation returned to normal afterward. Tensions persist as US and Iranian negotiators, mediated by Pakistan, hold talks aimed at a broader agreement covering the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions.