Middle East war updates: Trump says Iran will ‘pay the price’ after nation hits back after US strikes

US President Donald Trump has said the “self defence” response to Iran downing a US military helicopter had to be “very strong”.

“I think it’s very important to respond. They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding as we speak,” he told ABC News on Tuesday.

“I believe the response should be very strong, very powerful, and that’s what this one is.”

Iran had publicly mocked the US with a new AI video about the military Apache helicopter that went down near the Strait of Hormuz.

The video, which is AI-created and features Lego-style characters, says the US is continuing to move the timeline of when a deal will be done, expecting Iran to fold.

The Prime Minister has reiterated calls for a de-escalation in the Middle East, revealing he is receiving rapid updates on the Strait of Hormuz.

Anthony Albanese has already had two briefings this morning on the status of key waterway and added that’s become the new normal, for the vital shipping route to be declared open, then closed, then open again.

“It makes it very difficult to deal with the consequences,” he told ABC Radio.

“We want to see peace break out in the region in a permanent way, because this is obviously having a human impact on the region, but it’s having an impact on the entire globe.”

He said US President Donald Trump, overnight, was “clearly responding to the downing of the Apache helicopter,” but said ending the conflict would be in the interests of the American people as well as others around the world.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has told the US to leave Iran if it wants to “be safe”.

“Despite its defeats on the battlefield, the U.S. opted to test our determination,” he said in a statement after the US launched fresh strikes on Iran.

“Our Powerful Armed Forces will leave no attack or threat unanswered.

“Leave our region if you want to be safe.

“History of the Persian Gulf has many chapters on dire fates of intruding outsiders.”

It comes after he earlier insinuated a US military had gone down due to US human error.

“Foreign forces in proximity to our territory are at constant risk on account of their own human errors, plain accidents, or potentially being caught in crossfire.”

Reports have emerged from Iranian State TV claiming that the latest US strikes have targeted three key areas off the Strait of Hormuz.

Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island and Sirik, all situated along the Strait of Hormuz, have reportedly been hit. It is believed the US is targeting radar and launch sites.

US media reports, quoting unnamed US Government personnel, state that the attack was intended to send a message but not detail US President Donald Trump’s negotiations with Iran.

However, Iranian State TV is already reporting that Tehran will retaliate against the US over the latest strikes.

Iran’s Fars News is even reporting that the US is “claiming” a helicopter was downed by Iran, not confirming Iranian involvement.

Earlier, Donald Trump confirmed that Iran was responsible for downing a US military Apache helicopter, vowing revenge for the unprvoked agression.

“I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz,” Mr Trump said on Truth Social.

“There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured.

“Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack.”

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US President Donald Trump has ordered fresh strikes on Iran after a military helicopter was shot down near the Strait of Hormuz.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the strikes are now underway, as reports emerge of massive blasts around Iran.

“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began launching self-defense strikes against Iran at 5pm ET today at the Commander in Chief’s direction, in response to yesterday’s downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter,” a statement said.

“The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.”

Unconfirmed reports claim Iran is already vowing retaliation for the latest US strikes, which could see an alarming escalation in fighting between the two nations.