U.S. strikes Iranian sites after Apache helicopter crash, prompting regional retaliations

The United States carried out airstrikes early Wednesday against Iranian air-defense, ground-control and surveillance radar sites after blaming Tehran for the crash of an American AH-64 Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes, conducted by U.S. Air Force and Navy fighter jets, were described by Central Command as a proportional response to recent attacks on U.S. forces and commercial vessels in regional waters.

Iran responded by firing missiles at locations in Bahrain and Kuwait, prompting alerts and air-defence activations in both countries. Jordan reported intercepting and shooting down five missiles that Iran said were aimed at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which hosts U.S. F-35 fighters and other aircraft. No injuries were reported in Jordan.

Iranian state television later said Israeli attacks had killed at least two members of Iran’s air-defence units, marking the first exchange of fire between Iran and Israel since a fragile cease-fire took effect. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that foreign military forces near Iran’s territory “are at constant risk” and pledged that “no attack or threat will be left unanswered.”

U.S. officials said the Apache helicopter collided with an Iranian drone during a patrol off Oman; the crew was rescued by a drone-powered boat and later transferred to a helicopter, with President Trump stating the aviators were “safe and uninjured.”

The incidents come amid stalled negotiations to end the broader conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, and as Israel intensifies operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.