Following the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz region, the United States government announced the commencement of retaliatory operations against positions of the Islamic Republic. US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday evening, June 9, that Iranian forces had targeted an advanced Apache helicopter and that Washington was compelled to respond.
In an interview with ABC News, Trump also emphasized, “They targeted one of our helicopters, and we are responding right now.” He added that the US response would be “strong and powerful.”
CENTCOM Announces Commencement of Military Operations
Hours later, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces, within the framework of what was termed “self-defense,” had initiated attacks against positions of the Islamic Republic. According to the CENTCOM statement, the operation began at 5:00 PM Eastern Time, and its objective was to respond to the attack that had led to the downing of the Apache helicopter.
Air Defense Systems Targeted in Hormozgan
Concurrently with the start of the operations, the Axios news website, quoting an American official, reported that several air defense systems and radars of the Islamic Republic around the Strait of Hormuz had been targeted by US attacks.
On the other side, Iranian state media reported the sound of explosions in parts of Hormozgan Province. The Fars News Agency reported that explosions were heard in eastern regions of the province, and state media also confirmed the impact of a projectile in Sirik. Reports were also published regarding explosions heard on Qeshm Island.
Second Wave of Attacks and Expanding Reports of Explosions
In the early hours of Wednesday, June 10, further reports were published on the continuation of the US attacks. Axios, quoting American sources, reported the commencement of a second wave of attacks against the air defense and radar systems of the Islamic Republic.
At the same time, domestic Iranian media reported fresh explosions heard in Jask, Qeshm, and areas surrounding Bandar Sirik. Although Islamic Republic officials did not provide precise details regarding the targeted objectives, local reports indicated widespread air defense activity in southern Iran.
Third Wave of Attacks: Reports from Bushehr to Khuzestan
Shortly after, Axios journalist Barak Ravid announced that the US military had initiated its third wave of attacks against positions in Iran. Concurrently, reports published on social networks and news channels indicated that explosions were heard in various regions of southern Iran. Citizens reported severe tremors in Jam County in Bushehr Province, explosions in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, as well as similar sounds in Ahvaz. These reports were neither confirmed nor denied by official authorities at the time.
Destruction of Water Infrastructure in Hormozgan
During the early Wednesday morning attacks, civilian infrastructure was also damaged. Abdulhamid Hamzehpour, the CEO of the Hormozgan Water and Wastewater Company, announced that two main drinking water reservoirs in the Bemani district were destroyed as a result of a missile attack.
According to him, the 500- and 2,000-cubic-meter reservoirs, which played a major role in supplying drinking water to the Bemani district and the city of Kohistak, were “one hundred percent” destroyed. Following this attack, the drinking water distribution network was cut off in all villages of this district and the city of Kohistak.
Increased Alert Levels in Persian Gulf Nations
Simultaneously with the continuation of US military operations, reports were published regarding an increase in alert levels at United States military bases in Arab countries bordering the Persian Gulf. Iranian media also reported that explosions were heard in Bahrain and Kuwait, although precise details regarding the cause of these explosions or their potential targets were not released.
Conclusion of the Operation From Washington’s Perspective
CENTCOM ultimately issued a statement early Wednesday morning announcing that the United States’ retaliatory operation against positions of the Islamic Republic had concluded. According to the statement, US Air Force and Navy fighter jets, using guided munitions, targeted Iranian air defense systems, ground control stations, and surveillance radars near the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military described the operation as a proportionate response to attacks against American forces and threats to commercial vessels in the region, while warning that its forces remain on full alert.
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