Live updates: US launches ‘self-defense’ strikes against Iran

The Hill reports that the U.S. military launched what it describes as 'self-defensive' strikes against multiple targets in Iran on Wednesday afternoon, following President Trump's statement that Iranian forces shot down a U.S. Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. The article is bylined to The Hill Staff from a major national outlet and is supported by corroborating coverage from CNN, NBC News, ABC News, and The New York Times, all reporting the same strike action and framing language. The reporting relies primarily on official U.S. Central Command statements rather than independent verification or Iranian response, which limits depth; the article's description indicates Trump also made comments about negotiation timelines earlier in the day, though the full context of those remarks is not visible in the provided metadata. Watch for developments regarding the stated casualty count (two crew members rescued), any escalation in Iranian response, and official statements on the scope and objectives of the strikes.