CENTCOM: U.S. launches military strikes on Iran in response to downing of helicopter
OAN Staff Sophia Flores
3:04 PM – Tuesday, July 9, 2026
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that the U.S. military has launched “self-defense strikes against Iran” in retaliation for the downing of an American helicopter and the deaths of two of its pilots, on the orders of President Donald Trump.
On Tuesday, CENTCOM released a statement on social media confirming the strikes.
“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,” Trump told ABC News.
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