President Donald Trump earlier accused Iran of shooting down a US helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz and vowed to respond.

President Donald Trump authorized military strikes on Iran on Tuesday in retaliation for the downing of a U.S. helicopter that he said “wasn’t a big deal.” The U.S. military confirmed that “self-defense” strikes had begun on Iran later in the afternoon.

The United States has carried out retaliatory strikes on targets in Iran after a US military helicopter was shot down, in the latest escalation of the conflict. The attacks were ordered by President

The U.S. completed strikes on Iran Tuesday night in response to Monday's downed helicopter, the military said at about 9p.m. The strikes, which began at 5 p.m., were a "proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression," U.S. Central Command said on social media.

U.S. Central Command said earlier that an unmanned boat rescued two crew members after the aircraft went down off Oman.

It remains unclear if the helicopter fell victim to a mechanical failure or if it was shot down by Iranian forces.

By Enas Alashray, Elwely Elwelly and Phil Stewart DUBAI/WASHINGTON, June 10 (Reuters) - Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had carried out attacks against a U.S. base in Jordan and 21 other targets in the Gulf on Wednesday in retaliation for American strikes around the Strait of Hormuz,

Officials say the two Apache pilots are safe following a first-ever sea drone rescue. Natalie Brand has more details from the White House.