The latest
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it began carrying out military strikes inside Iran at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, saying the operation was launched in response to the downing of a U.S. Apache helicopter.
CENTCOM said the strikes were ordered directly by the U.S. president and described them as a “defensive” operation that constituted a “proportionate response” to what it called “unprovoked Iranian aggression.”
Details
• The operation began at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
• CENTCOM said the strikes were launched in response to the downing of a U.S. Apache attack helicopter.
• U.S. officials described the action as defensive and proportionate.
• The military has not disclosed the specific targets that were struck.
• No official information has been released on casualties or the extent of the damage.
What to watch
Attention is now focused on the targets hit by the strikes and whether Iran will respond. Direct U.S. military involvement raises the risk of a broader regional escalation.
