Iran live updates: US launches strikes against Iran over downed helicopter, CENTCOM says

By David Brennan, Nadine El-Bawab, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: June 9, 2026, 3:43 PM MDT

Trump on retaliatory strikes: 'I think it's very important to respond'

ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl was on the phone with President Donald Trump just as CENTCOM announced the retaliatory attack against Iran.

"I think it's very important to respond. They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding as we speak," Trump said.

"I believe in responding in a strong manner. I always have throughout my life. And we have a deal that was very good, and probably will [still be]," the president continued. "This is a response to what they did 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."

As the call ended, CENTCOM announced the attack.

US launches 'self-defense' strikes against Iran: CENTCOM

U.S. forces have begun launching "self-defense" strikes in response to Iran's attack on a U.S. Army Apache helicopter, U.S. Central Command said.

The strikes began at 5 p.m. ET, it said.

Trump says Iran shot down the US helicopter and US 'must' respond

President Donald Trump said the U.S. Apache helicopter that crashed in the Middle East was shot down by Iran, saying the U.S. "must, out of necessity, respond to this attack."

“I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said in a post on social media.

“Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack.”

Apache crewmembers transported by drone to another location

The autonomous surface sea drone used to rescue the two Apache crewmembers picked them up and transported them to another location on the water where they were then hoisted up to a helicopter for further transport, according to a U.S. official.