US Forces Target 20 Sites in Iran in Early Morning Strikes

A senior US official told Fox News that American forces targeted about 20 sites inside Iran at dawn on Wednesday as part of strikes carried out in response to Iran shooting down a US helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.

The official clarified that although the US Central Command announced the conclusion of the strikes, the situation on the ground remains "active." The US military is fully prepared to respond should Iran take any retaliatory actions.

The US Central Command (Centcom) declared the completion of strikes against targets in Iran, ordered by President Donald Trump, following the downing of an Apache helicopter belonging to the US Army near the Strait of Hormuz.

Centcom stated that US forces employed precision munitions launched by fighter aircraft from the Air Force and Navy, targeting Iranian air defense sites, ground control stations, and surveillance radar installations near the Strait of Hormuz.

The operation was described as a "proportional response" to recent attacks against US forces and international commercial vessels in regional waters. The US military affirmed it remains vigilant and ready to counter any "unjustified Iranian aggression."

The United States launched the attack on Iran in reaction to what it labeled as "aggression" following the incident involving the downing of the US helicopter, although the pilots were rescued safely.

The US strikes focused on areas surrounding the Strait of Hormuz where the Apache helicopter was shot down, including Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, and Sirik Port.

According to Fox News, Iranian air defense systems and radar facilities were among the targets hit.

President Donald Trump told ABC network, "This is a response to what they did to our helicopter last night, and I think the response will be very strong, and it already is." Meanwhile, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard warned, "The Iranian response to this hostility will begin soon."

A report by CNN, citing a senior US official, indicated that the strikes on Iran were intended as a warning message to Tehran.

The report added that Washington believes this action will not harm ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the conflict with Iran.