Summary The US Apache attack helicopter that crashed near the coast of Oman overnight was brought down by an Iranian drone.
WASHINGTON (Agencies) - US forces have launched "self-defense" strikes in the wee hours of Wednesday in response to Iran's attack on a US Army Apache helicopter, US Central Command said.
The US Apache attack helicopter that crashed near the coast of Oman overnight was brought down by an Iranian drone, two US officials familiar with the Pentagon’s latest assessment tell ABC News.
The investigation has not yet determined whether Iran intended to use the drone to attack the helicopter, they added.
The drone involved in the incident is the same type Iran typically uses to target ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one official said.
As US Central Command began strikes on Iran in response to the downing of an American helicopter, President Trump told ABC News' Jonathan Karl: "This is a response to what 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."
--- The story will be updated shortly.
