Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed on Wednesday that they had launched drone attacks against the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain in response to recent American strikes in southern Iran.
In a statement, the Guards warned that any continuation of what they described as US "aggression" would trigger "a more severe response."
Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces had begun conducting what it called "self-defence strikes" against Iranian targets after a US Army Apache helicopter was brought down by the IRGC.
"U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began launching self-defence 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," CENTCOM said in a post on X.
Iranian state media reported that the country's strategic Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz had come under attack, while a projectile strike was confirmed in Sirik. Explosions were also reported in the southern province of Hormozgan.
According to state broadcaster reports, Iranian military forces were actively engaged in counter-operations. Officials warned that if hostilities continue, Iran would deliver "heavier responses" against its adversaries.
Earlier on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a warning to US forces operating in the Persian Gulf, urging them to leave the region.
"Despite its defeats on the battlefield, the US opted to test our determination. Our powerful armed forces will leave no attack or threat unanswered. Leave our region if you want to be safe. The history of the Persian Gulf has many chapters on the dire fates of intruding outsiders," Araghchi said.
According to a Reuters report citing a US official, the Apache helicopter was brought down by a one-way Iranian attack drone.
The latest escalation threatens to further complicate efforts to broker a broader Middle East peace agreement and secure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil and other commodities.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that Washington and Tehran are close to reaching an agreement. However, there has been little tangible progress since a fragile ceasefire reportedly took effect in early April.
