US Launches Strikes, Explosions Heard on Iran's Southern Coast

The United States has announced strikes in response to an Apache helicopter that crashed in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media reported several explosions occurred along the southern coast of Iran near the Strait of Hormuz. Local Iranian media reported that explosions were heard in several locations in Hormozgan province, including on Qeshm Island and along the coast near the strait. Some reports noted the presence of US fighter jets. Minutes later, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB said the air strikes along the southern coast of Iran near the Strait of Hormuz had stopped. The situation was reported to be calm. ‘The situation is now reported to be calm,’ IRIB said on Telegram. Earlier, the United States military launched proportionate strikes against Iran. The planned strikes were a response to the shooting down of an Apache helicopter the previous day in the Strait of Hormuz. ‘American forces began conducting defensive strikes against Iran at 5:00 p.m. ET today at the direction of the Commander in Chief, in response to the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter yesterday,’ US Central Command said in a post on X. ‘This mission is a proportionate response to Iran’s unjustified aggression,’ it added.