US launches second wave of airstrikes against Iran after helicopter downing

WASHINGTON, United States — The U.S. military launched a second wave of airstrikes against Iranian territory on Wednesday in retaliation for the downing of an Apache helicopter near the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, a U.S. official said, according to Reuters. The new strikes targeted air defense systems and radar sites in southern Iran. Iranian media reported attacks in the Hormozgan provincial city of Jask. U.S. Central Command said the operations, ordered by President Donald Trump, began at 5 p.m. local time and were described as "defensive" and "proportional." Washington justified the action by accusing Iran of shooting down the AH-64 Apache helicopter. On the Iranian side, explosions were reported near Qom, Sirik, Minab and Bandar Abbas. Iranian state television later said the situation in Qom, Sirik and Jask had calmed following the U.S. strikes. U.S. officials said the military operations were being carried out independently of ongoing negotiations with Iran, while Trump maintained that a deal with Tehran remained possible.