Middle East War Day 102: US Strikes Iran After Helicopter Shot Down; Latest Developments at a Glance

(Central News Agency, Washington, 9th, Combined Foreign Reports) On the 102nd day of the US-Israel joint campaign against Iran, the United States launched airstrikes on Iran today in retaliation for Iran shooting down an Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran subsequently announced airstrikes on US military bases in Bahrain and Jordan. The following is a summary of the latest developments in the Middle East war.

● US and Israel Developments
A US Army Apache helicopter was shot down yesterday near the Strait of Hormuz. US forces immediately launched a search and rescue operation for the two crew members, who were eventually rescued by a Navy unmanned surface vessel.
US President Donald Trump accused Iran of shooting down the helicopter, emphasizing that the US "must" respond.
Multiple US officials stated that the helicopter was attacked by an Iranian Shahed drone while patrolling off the coast of Oman.
The US conducted retaliatory airstrikes on Iran today. US Central Command (CENTCOM) posted on social media platform X, stating they "deployed US Air Force and Navy fighter aircraft to strike Iranian air defense, ground command facilities, and surveillance radars near the Strait of Hormuz with precision munitions."

● Iran Developments
Several Iranian media outlets earlier reported that Tehran's international airport had reopened, and a flight from Saudi Arabia carrying Hajj pilgrims had landed.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi today called for foreign forces to withdraw from the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding areas, warning that if they remain, they risk being drawn into the conflict at any time.
Following the US airstrikes, Iran's state broadcaster IRIB reported that airstrikes in southern coastal areas of Iran near the Strait of Hormuz had ceased, and "the situation is reported to be calm." Araghchi stated that the military would not turn a blind eye to any attack or threat.
According to a statement from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the US retaliatory strikes targeted Iran's Jask, Sirik, and Qeshm Island. The IRGC accused the US of attacking under a "false pretext," causing damage to a telecommunications antenna in Sirik and destroying two water storage tanks in the city.
The statement said the IRGC launched a drone attack on the US Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain at 2:30 AM local time on the 10th, warning of "harsher responses" if hostile actions continue. The IRGC also stated they attacked four targets at a US military base in Jordan.

● Oil, Stock, and Currency Dynamics
Trump's emphasis today on the US "must" respond to Iran's downing of the Apache helicopter caused international oil prices, which had been deeply in the red during the session, to narrow their losses by the close.
West Texas Intermediate crude for July delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell $3.10, or 3.4%, to settle at $88.20 per barrel. Brent crude for August delivery on the London ICE Futures Exchange fell $2.80, or 2.97%, to close at $91.45 per barrel.
Markets are weighing the latest developments in US-Iran tensions. A sell-off in US tech stocks resumed, erasing some of the previous day's gains, and Wall Street ended the trading session mixed.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed yesterday, Trump's approval rating in recent days remains near the low point of his political career. For now, a majority of the public expects domestic gasoline prices to remain high due to the Iran war.

● Other Countries and Organizations
Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that Israel airstruck the historic port city of Tyre in southern Lebanon today, killing at least 8 people. A subsequent airstrike on areas near Tyre raised the death toll to 11. Before the attack, Israel issued a city-wide evacuation order for the first time.
Jordan stated on the 10th local time that it had shot down five missiles launched by Iran, which were targeting the area of the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, where US forces are stationed. (Editor: Lu Yingzi) 1150610