U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced self-defense strikes against Iran on June 9, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET, in response to the downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter the previous day. The command stated:

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began launching self-defense strikes against Iran at 5 p.m. ET today at the Commander in Chief’s direction, in response to yesterday’s downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter. The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.

The strikes were described as a proportional measure at the direction of the Commander in Chief.