The US military struck Iranian targets on June 9 after President Donald Trump accused Iranian forces of shooting down a US Army AH-64 Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM characterized the airstrikes as a proportional, self-defense response to what it called unjustified aggression.
Both pilots survived the shootdown and were rescued unharmed after roughly two hours in the water. The rescue itself was notable: an unmanned drone boat retrieved the crew, marking the first known instance of such a maritime recovery by US forces.
A ceasefire in tatters
This escalation comes during what was supposed to be a fragile two-month ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran, established after a 12-day war in June 2025. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically significant chokepoints on Earth. Roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through it daily.
CENTCOM stated that the airstrikes were directed by President Trump and targeted Iranian military positions.
