U.S. Central Command Completes Strikes on Iranian Targets Following Apache Helicopter Downing

STRAIT OF HORMUZ — U.S. Central Command forces completed strikes against Iran on June 9 targeting air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz.

The strikes were in response to the downing of a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter on June 8 at 7:33 p.m. ET while patrolling near the coast of Oman.

Two crew members were rescued safely within approximately two hours and remained in stable condition. The mission used precision munitions from U.S. Air Force and Navy fighter jets.

U.S. officials characterized the action as self-defense and a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression. Strikes were completed the same day, with no U.S. casualties reported in connection with the operation.

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued an updated security alert on June 9 lifting shelter-in-place orders for U.S. government employees and family members while keeping some travel restrictions in place across Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

Embassy consular sections were scheduled to open for routine and emergency services on June 10, with Ben Gurion Airport operating normally for commercial flights.

The June 8 Helicopter Downing and Rescue

On June 8 at 7:33 p.m. ET, the AH-64 Apache went down during a patrol near the coast of Oman. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, supported by U.S. Air Force and Navy units including 5th Fleet Task Force 59, led rescue efforts.

The two soldiers were recovered by an unmanned drone boat and transferred for medical evaluation. Their condition was reported as stable with no injuries. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

President Donald J. Trump stated: “I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz.

There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack.”

Iranian Response and Claims

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on June 9 that no attack or threat against Iran will go unanswered and that foreign forces are at constant risk due to their own errors and should leave the region because Iran will never be hospitable to their presence.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it launched strikes toward U.S. targets in the region, including drone attacks on the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and missile strikes on bases in Jordan including the Al-Azraq airbase targeting F-35 hangars and command centers as well as facilities in Kuwait, in response to the U.S. action.

Official Statements

U.S. Central Command, June 9 statement on completed strikes: “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces completed self-defense strikes against Iran, June 9, at the Commander in Chief’s direction in response to yesterday’s downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter. CENTCOM forces struck Iranian air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz with precision munitions from U.S. Air Force and Navy fighter jets. The operation was a proportional response to recent attacks on U.S. forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters. U.S. forces remain vigilant and postured to defend against unjustified Iranian aggression.”

U.S. Central Command, June 9 statement on launch of strikes: “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.”

U.S. Central Command, June 9 statement on crew rescue: “At 7:33 p.m. ET on June 8, two crew members from a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache were rescued by American forces after their helicopter went down near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters. The Soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition. The cause of the incident is under investigation.”

President Donald J. Trump statement: “I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, June 9 statement: “no attack or threat against Iran will go unanswered” and “foreign forces are at constant risk due to their own errors and should leave the region because Iran will never be hospitable to their presence.”

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claim via state-linked media: The IRGC stated it launched a drone attack on the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and struck U.S. military bases in Jordan including the Al-Azraq airbase targeting F-35 hangars and command centers as well as facilities in Kuwait, in response to U.S. strikes.