The US and Iran are once again on a collision course after the US said it launched fresh “self-defense” strikes against Iran in response to the downing of an American Apache helicopter. Tehran threatened the US to leave the region alone if Washington prefers safety. Follow our live blog for the latest developments in West Asia.
US-Iran War Live Updates: The US and Iran appeared headed for a fresh escalation after US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it had launched “self-defense” strikes against Iran in response to the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter a day earlier.
CENTCOM said the operation began at 5 pm ET on the orders of President Donald Trump and was intended as a “proportional response” to Iranian aggression.
Iran, too, signalled it would not back down. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that despite its battlefield setbacks, the US had chosen to “test our determination,” warning that Iran’s armed forces would leave “no attack or threat unanswered.” He also issued a direct message to Washington: “Leave our region if you want to be safe.”
The latest exchange threatens to further destabilise the region and raises fresh questions about the future of US-Iran negotiations, though Trump claimed the previous day that the war would end within two weeks.
Follow for latest on the war in West Asia.
