US President Donald Trump said the American military response to Iran's downing of a US Army Apache helicopter would be "very strong, very powerful," as US Central Command confirmed it had launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian territory on Tuesday.
Speaking to ABC News journalist Jonathan Karl by phone as CENTCOM's announcement was made public, Trump said, "I think it's very important to respond. They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding as we speak."
-
Ramesh Damani Remains Bullish On India For Next 20-30 Years, Sees Bargains Amid Weakness -
Can India Mobilise Its Savings To Power Its Own Growth Story? Ben Flags Biggest Challenge -
"I Am A Material Man In A Material World': Quantum Advisors' Ajit Dayal On NDTV Profit Ignite -
Structurally Positive On India In The Long-term:Ben Powell, On NDTV Profit Ignite -
Why Tamannaah Bhatia Is Taking The Long Route To Scale Her Jewellery Business -
'I Am My Own Intern': Tamannaah Bhatia On NDTV Profit Ignite -
Indian Mkt Will Return With The 'Smart Mkt' Story: NSE MD & CEO Ashishkumar Chauhan On NDTV Profit I -
India Lacks An AI Story But Has IT 'Workhorses': Why NSE CEO Sees Foreign Money Returning -
NDTV Profit Ignite 2026 Live Updates: Test Of Markets Is How They Finance, Say SEBI Chief -
NDTV Ignite, The Trillion-Dollar Trajectory: India's Road to 2030
He added, "This is a response to what they did with our helicopter last night, and I believe the response should be very strong, very powerful, and that's what this one is."
Also Read | Layoffs Are Rising In Tech, But These Skills Are Helping People Unlock Better Pay
I was on the phone with Trump as CENTCOM announced US retaliatory strikes against Iran. Here's what he said:
— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) June 9, 2026
"I think it's very important to respond. They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding as we speak."
He added: "This is a response to what they did they did with…
CENTCOM confirmed the strikes began at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday at the President's direction, describing them as "self-defence strikes" that were "a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression."
بدأت قوات القيادة المركزية الأمريكية #سنتكوم في شن ضربات دفاعاً عن النفس ضد إيران في الساعة الخامسة مساءً بتوقيت شرق الولايات المتحدة اليوم، وذلك بتوجيه من القائد العام، رداً على إسقاط مروحية أباتشي تابعة للجيش الأمريكي يوم أمس. تُعد هذه المهمة رداً متناسباً على عدوان إيراني غير…
— U.S. Central Command - Arabic (@CENTCOMArabic) June 9, 2026
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who said he had been in the White House Situation Room with Trump and top officials ahead of the operation, described the strikes as "proportional and limited," targeting Iranian radar, missile, and command-and-control sites.
JUST IN: Speaker Mike Johnson says he was in the White House Situation Room with President Trump and top officials before U.S. forces launched what were described as self-defense strikes against Iran.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 9, 2026
Johnson calls the operation “proportional and limited,” targeting radar,… pic.twitter.com/HPXdoz3MfR
ALSO READ: US Launches Strikes On Iran In Response To Apache Helicopter Downing Near Hormuz
The trigger for the strikes was the downing of a US Army AH-64 Apache helicopter near the coast of Oman on Monday evening. CENTCOM said an unmanned boat rescued both crew members, who were reported in stable condition.
A second wave of strikes followed the initial operation, with Iranian media reporting explosions and air defence activations across Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Sirik County, and Jask in southern Iran — all strategic locations near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state television IRIB reported two water reservoirs in the Bemani district were also struck.
ALSO READ: 'US Must Respond': Trump Vows Retaliation After Iran Shoots Down Apache Helicopter
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi responded defiantly, warning that Tehran's armed forces would leave "no attack or threat unanswered" and calling on the US to "leave our region" if it wanted to be safe.
The exchange marks the latest escalation in a conflict that has been ongoing since late February 2026, when the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran under Operation Epic Fury. A nominally active ceasefire has been repeatedly violated by both sides in the months since.
Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
