US strikes Iran helicopter downing; Iran hits Bahrain
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- U.S. military struck southern Iran, saying it was a response to the downing of an American helicopter.
- Iran said it had retaliated by launching drones and missiles at U.S. military targets in Bahrain and Jordan.
Why it matters: The exchange marks a direct escalation, forcing the U.S. to confront Iranian retaliation on its regional assets while Iran demonstrates its capacity to strike U.S. sites beyond its own borders, raising the risk of broader conflict in the volatile Middle East.
