U.S. Launches Airstrikes Against Iran Amid Escalating Tensions
BAGHDAD, Iraq — Early Wednesday, the U.S. conducted airstrikes against Iranian targets in response to a helicopter crash blamed on Tehran.
According to U.S. Central Command, the airstrikes targeted air defense and surveillance sites in Iran. The strikes came after an American AH-64 Apache helicopter collided with an Iranian drone near the Strait of Hormuz. The incident is under investigation.
Iran retaliated by launching missiles aimed at U.S. positions in Bahrain and Kuwait, prompting both nations to activate air defense systems, though no injuries were reported. Jordan reported intercepting five missiles targeting Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which hosts U.S. forces.
The conflict has intensified after the U.S. and Israel began operations against Iranian forces on February 28, raising global energy prices. Brent crude oil reached over $91 a barrel, a 25% increase since the conflict began.
Central Command stated the U.S. operation was a “proportional response” to ongoing threats. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that foreign military forces near Iran face “constant risk,” pledging a response to the U.S. strikes.
In a separate incident, guards aboard a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden repelled an attack from armed gunmen in a small boat. The responsible group remains unidentified, but Yemen's Houthi rebels have threatened to target vessels linked to Israel.
As tensions rise, U.S. officials continue to pursue negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear program, though both sides maintain hardline positions, complicating the prospect of a diplomatic resolution.