Blasts heard in S. Iran as U.S. announces "self-defense" strikes

Xinhua
10 Jun 2026, 04:15 GMT+10

TEHRAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- A number of explosions were heard early Wednesday and air defenses were activated in the port city of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Sirik County and Jask County in southern Iran, state-run IRIB TV reported, citing sources.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that six explosions were heard in Sirik, Qeshm Island and the southern city of Minab, adding that areas in the three regions were attacked by U.S. fighter jets.

The explosions came as U.S. Central Command said in a post on social media platform X that its "forces began launching self-defense 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," it added.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Iran of shooting down a U.S. Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz and vowed to respond.

The two pilots aboard the helicopter were rescued and are "safe and uninjured," Trump said.

"Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack," he added.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Illinois Intelligencer.

More Information

North America

Section

Brit Katie Boulter rallies past Leylah Fernandez in London

(Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images) Great Britain's Katie Boulter rallied after her Monday match carried over to Tuesday and...

Blasts heard in S. Iran as U.S. announces "self-defense" strikes

TEHRAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- A number of explosions were heard early Wednesday and air defenses were activated in the port city of Bandar...

"US must respond": Trump after Iran "shoots down" Apache helicopter patrolling over Strait of Hormuz

Washington, DC [US], June 10 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) said that an Iranian strike claimed to have downed...

AFC delivers definitive message of solidarity, support to Asian teams competing in FIFA World Cup 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, 10th June, 2026 (WAM) -- As the global football spotlight shifts to North America for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Asian...

Frances Tiafoe outlasts Daniel Altmaier in first round at Stuttgart

(Photo credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images) Sixth-seeded Frances Tiafoe saved 7 of 9 break points and outlasted Germany's Daniel Altmaier...

SoFi workers reach agreement to avoid strike ahead of World Cup

(Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) A potential strike by SoFi Stadium workers, ahead of the United States' World Cup opening...

International

Section