US Central Command launched precision strikes against Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites on June 10, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two nations.
The strikes were authorized by President Trump in response to the downing of a US Army AH-64 Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz and threats against commercial shipping in the region. Trump warned that further military action could follow if negotiations continued to stall.
From Operation Epic Fury to open confrontation
The current conflict reignited on February 28, 2026, when US and Israeli forces launched Operation Epic Fury, a series of surprise attacks targeting Iranian military infrastructure. That operation triggered a cycle of escalation and retaliation that has now culminated in direct strikes on Iranian soil.
The downing of the Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints, added a layer of urgency. Roughly 20% of the world’s petroleum passes through that narrow waterway.
