United States launches self-defence strikes on Iran following downing of Apache helicopter

Exam-focused facts from the 11 June 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

An AH-64 Apache helicopter of the United States (US) Army was shot down by an Iranian Shahed drone while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) launched self-defence strikes on Iran at 5 p.m. ET as a proportional response to the incident.
Two US Army soldiers were rescued in the first-ever water rescue operation carried out by a drone.
The rescue was performed by an unmanned surface drone operated by Task Force 59, which is based within the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.
Israel conducted airstrikes on the southern city of Tyre in Lebanon as part of its conflict against Iranian-backed Hezbollah.