--- title: "US Response to Apache Shootdown: Trump Authorizes Strikes on Iran Amid Deal Negotiations" description: "The US has begun striking Iran in response to the downing of an Apache helicopter. Donald Trump called the response \"decisive\" and \"powerful,\" despite the fact that negotiations on a deal were previously in the final stage. 🇺🇸🇮🇷💥" date: 2026-06-09T21:56:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/us-response-to-apache-shootdown-trump-authorizes-strikes-on-iran tags: [] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # US Response to Apache Shootdown: Trump Authorizes Strikes on Iran Amid Deal Negotiations ![Donald Trump in a business suit with a red tie, raising his fist in a gesture of determination against a backdrop of green trees](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/10/otvet-ssha-na-sbitie-apache-udary-po-iranu/otvet-ssha-na-sbitie-apache-udary-po-iranu-1.webp) In the early hours of June 10 Kyiv time, the United States launched a large-scale military operation against Iran. The trigger for the strikes was the downing of an American Apache helicopter by Iranian forces the previous evening. The operation was personally authorized by US President Donald Trump. ### Strikes in Self-Defense The US Central Command (CENTCOM) officially confirmed the start of the attack in a post on the social network X. According to the department's statement, command forces began striking at 17:00 Eastern Time. The document emphasizes that the actions are an act of self-defense and a proportional response to "unjustified Iranian aggression". As reported by The New York Times, explosions and air raid sirens were heard in several locations along the Persian Gulf coast. The cities of Bandar Abbas, as well as the islands of Kish and Sirak, were targeted. Specifically, Sirak and Kish were attacked multiple times, although details regarding the scale of destruction have not yet been disclosed. ### Donald Trump's Position US President Donald Trump commented on the situation in a brief interview with ABC News, which he gave immediately before announcing the start of the attack. The head of state emphasized the need for a harsh and decisive response to Tehran's actions. "I think it is very important to respond. They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding right now. I think we need to respond decisively... This is a response to what they did to our helicopter last night, and I think the response must be very strong, very powerful, and that is exactly what it is," Trump stated. At the same time, the President added that the US had a "good deal" with Iran, and it would likely remain so, despite the escalation of the conflict. ### Attack Targets and Iran's Response According to Axios journalist Barak Ravid, citing a US official, military actions were directed against several Iranian air defense systems and radar complexes in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz area. In response to Washington's actions, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the launch of missiles and drones against US targets in the Middle East. Iranian media also reported that two reservoirs in the south of the country were hit as a result of American strikes. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that no attack would go unanswered; however, independent sources have not yet confirmed reports of Iranian missile launches or the consequences of explosions on US territory. ### Context: From Negotiations to War The escalation occurred against the backdrop of a tense diplomatic situation. As recently as Tuesday, June 9, Donald Trump stated that negotiations with Iran on the deal were in the "final stage" and could be concluded within the next few days. However, later that same day, it became known that on Monday evening, an Iranian "Shahed" drone had shot down an American Apache helicopter. This incident became the trigger for Washington's immediate military response.