The Apache Revenge: Mapping the U.S. Strikes on Iran
Only a few hours after President Trump vowed to retaliate for the downing of an Apache helicopter, a new wave of reciprocal strikes between the United States and Iran erupted.
Early today, the United States launched strikes against Iran after President Donald Trump stated that Tehran had shot down a U.S. Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, deepening doubts about the prospects for a peace agreement and increasing tensions surrounding the fragile ceasefire.
Subsequently, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan announced that they had intercepted Iranian missiles.
A U.S. official speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity said that preliminary assessments indicated that nearly all missiles and drones launched by Iran had been intercepted.
This marks one of the largest armed confrontations since Iran and the United States reached a ceasefire agreement in April.
The latest U.S. strikes lasted approximately four hours before the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced their completion shortly before 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (1:00 a.m. GMT on Wednesday).
According to observers, the escalation of violence further increases uncertainty regarding the possibility of reaching an agreement to end the war that began on February 28.
What is the map of the U.S. strikes?
Reuters, citing an unnamed U.S. official, reported that approximately twenty Iranian targets were struck.
For its part, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that aircraft from the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy targeted Iranian air defense systems, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Iranian state television reported that explosions and air-defense sirens were heard in several coastal cities, including Sirik and Qeshm Island.
Other Iranian media outlets, citing local sources and residents, also reported explosions in Bandar Abbas and later around Jask County near the entrance to the Strait.
In a statement, U.S. Central Command described the strikes as “self-defense operations” carried out on the orders of President Donald Trump.
President Trump had accused Iran on Tuesday of shooting down the helicopter, writing on his Truth Social platform: “The United States must, by necessity, respond to this attack.”
These clashes between the United States and Iran followed an escalation of Israel’s offensive against southern Lebanon on Tuesday, including the major city of Tyre, where reports indicated that at least eight people had been killed.
