Iran to US: ‘Leave our region if you want to be safe’

International

IRAN has warned foreign military forces to leave the Middle East if they want to avoid further risks.

The warning came from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi after the United States (US) carried out military strikes on Iranian targets in response to the downing of an American military helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, a report by BBC said.

According to the US military, the operation was a direct response to what it described as an act of Iranian aggression that led to the downing of a US Apache helicopter.

“Leave our region if you want to be safe,” Araghchi said in a post on X, adding that Iran would not leave any attack or threat unanswered.

US Central Command (Centcom) said American forces began strikes at 5:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, calling the operation a “proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.” The military action followed the downing of a US Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz a day earlier.

President Donald Trump confirmed that the helicopter’s two pilots were rescued and suffered no injuries.

Centcom said the crew members were recovered through a rescue operation involving US naval and airborne forces, supported by an unmanned surface drone operated by Task Force 59.

While US officials said an Iranian drone was responsible for bringing down the helicopter, they acknowledged that it remains unclear whether the aircraft was intentionally targeted.

Iranian media reported on the incident but noted that Tehran had not claimed responsibility for the helicopter’s downing.

Following the attack, US strikes reportedly targeted Iranian defense and radar systems, according to Axios. Iranian state media later reported explosions along the Persian Gulf coast, including in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, and Sirik.

Speaking to ABC News, Trump defended the military response, saying the strikes were necessary following the helicopter incident.

“This is a response to what they did,” Trump said. “The response should be very strong, very powerful.”

Back in Washington, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was present when Trump decided to authorize the strikes, describing the action as unfortunate but necessary.

Iran, however, condemned the attacks and reiterated its readiness to respond. Araghchi accused Washington of testing Iran’s resolve despite what he described as previous setbacks suffered by the United States.

Tensions have continued to rise across the region as Israeli forces carried out strikes in southern Lebanon earlier Tuesday. Tehran had previously warned that attacks in Lebanon could trigger additional retaliatory actions.

Araghchi also cautioned that foreign military forces operating near Iranian territory remain vulnerable to accidents, miscalculations, or being caught in ongoing hostilities. He maintained that the safest option would be for those forces to withdraw from the region.(Erica Casquejo, CNU Main Campus Comm Intern)