Trump launches strikes against Iran after downing of US army helicopter

The United States launched strikes against Iran on June 9, 2026, after President Donald Trump blamed Tehran for downing a US army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. This action jeopardized a fragile ceasefire that had been established between the two nations in April. In response to the US strikes, Iran initiated retaliatory attacks on Wednesday morning, targeting Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, according to statements from Tehran. The US army helicopter, an Apache gunship, was reportedly shot down, but its crew was successfully rescued by a drone operating in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between the US and Iran, potentially disrupting regional stability following the recent peace agreement.