US and Iran Carry Out Reciprocal Strikes After Helicopter Incident Near Strait of Hormuz

June 10, 2026

Mintesinot Nigussie

The United States Central Command said its airstrikes on Iranian targets were completed on Tuesday at 17:00 ET (21:00 GMT), following an escalation triggered by the downing of a US Apache helicopter operating over the Strait of Hormuz.

The US described its military action as a “proportional response”, with Centcom stating that the operation targeted Iranian air defence systems, surveillance radar sites and ground control facilities near the strategic waterway.

Two crew members from the downed helicopter were rescued by an American sea drone, according to Centcom, marking the first publicly confirmed use of such a system in a recovery mission. Both personnel were reported safe and uninjured after the incident.

In parallel developments, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it carried out strikes against two US military installations in the region, identifying them as bases in Bahrain and Jordan, while Kuwaiti authorities reported intercepting incoming attacks.

Iranian officials said US strikes caused damage to infrastructure including a telecommunications tower and water tanks located in Jask and Sirik, as well as on Qeshem island, while the US side reported that its initial strike was completed within hours of launch.

The helicopter at the centre of the escalation was operating patrol duties over the Strait of Hormuz, according to US President Donald Trump, who said Washington would respond after the aircraft was brought down.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would not leave any attack unanswered, warning that foreign forces in the region face risk from “human errors”, accidents or crossfire.