U.S. Carries Out Strikes in Iran After Apache Helicopter Downed Near Strait of Hormuz

U.S. military forces carried out defensive strikes in Iran on Monday, according to U.S. Central Command, in response to the downing of an American Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media, including Mehr News Agency, reported hearing explosions in the Sirik Port area. The agency said the exact nature of the incidents remained unclear. President Donald Trump said the helicopter, which crashed Monday near the strategic waterway through which a significant portion of the world's oil shipments pass, had been confirmed as shot down by Iranian forces. The operation was carried out on Trump's direct orders and described as a proportional response to Iran's attack. The New York Times, citing its own sources, reported that the helicopter crew was rescued and transferred to a safe area following the crash. Iranian media had not confirmed the crew's status at the time of this reporting.