US Bombs Iran In Retaliation For Downed Apache Helicopter

(Photo by Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto via AP)

The U.S. military bombed Iran on Tuesday in “self defense operations” following mixed signals from President Donald Trump after an Iranian drone shot down a U.S. Apache helicopter.

“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began launching self-defense strikes against Iran at 5 p.m. ET today at the Commander in Chief’s direction, in response to yesterday’s downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter. The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression,” announced CENTCOM.

Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday midday, “I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

The Wall Street Journal reported several hours later, however, a seemingly contradictory message from Trump:

In a phone call with The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, Trump said the blockade was making Iran “very poor” and said he would keep it in place as long as necessary. He sought to play down the helicopter incident, saying that it “wasn’t a big deal” and stressing that “the pilot is fine.”

Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst reported on the downing of the helicopter earlier on Tuesday morning and offered some details about the unprecedented rescue of the pilots. “We’re also tracking another major development. A U.S. Apache helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Now, according to U.S. Central Command, in a statement, the soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition. The cause of the incident is under investigation,” Yingst reported, adding:

CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins confirmed to Fox News the U.S. crew members were rescued by an unmanned surface vehicle, a sea drone. This was an operational first for the U.S. Military, Hawkins told Fox News.

Yingst noted at the time how the Apache that went down was still unknown, but added that the incident endangers an already fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. “It does come as the ceasefire with Iran is holding and the region braces to see what comes next,” Yingst concluded.

This is a developing story and has been updated.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!