US Launches Military Strikes Against Iran

US Central Command confirmed it began 'self-defence strikes' against Iran following the crash of a US Army Apache helicopter that President Trump attributed to Iranian action. Reports from Axios and regional outlets indicate at least three waves of strikes have been launched, with the second wave specifically targeting Iran's air defense and radar systems. Explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas and Jask in Iran's southern Hormozgan province.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that no US attack would go unanswered, urging foreign forces to leave the region. House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed he was briefed beforehand and characterized the action as proportional. Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reports that nuclear deal talks continue in parallel, with Iran reportedly willing to dilute rather than surrender its uranium stockpile under a potential 15-year enrichment halt agreement.

Coverage varies significantly by region: Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera provide the most granular real-time updates on strike locations and Iranian responses; Politico Europe frames the action within Trump's broader diplomatic strategy; The Korea Times and Rappler cover it as a major US military escalation; and the Nigerian Punch notes the economic side effect of oil prices falling on Iran-US peace optimism — reflecting how the conflict reverberates through commodity markets in oil-dependent economies.

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