The US has launched massive air strikes against Iran after the shooting down of a US helicopter gunship near the Strait of Hormuz a day earlier.
Iran’s state television said that explosions and air defence sirens were heard in several cities along Iran’s coast, including the city of Sirik and the island of Qeshm.
The US military's Central Command said in a statement on Tuesday that "self-defence strikes" started at 5 PM Washington time at Trump's direction.
"The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression," Central Command said in a statement.
Iran's Mehr News Agency, citing residents, reported massive explosions in the Sirik area.
Iran's state media reported that Qeshm Island and the Bandar Abbas seaport were also attacked.
Trump vowed response
“I think it's very important to respond. They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding as we speak,” Trump told ABC News on US retaliatory strikes against Iran.
"This is a response to what they did... with our helicopter last night, and I believe the response should be very strong, very powerful, and that's what this one is," the US president added.
Separately, the Axios news site, citing a senior American official, reported that US military forces attacked several Iranian air defence batteries and radar systems around the Strait of Hormuz.
Axios said a second round of strikes in Iran is taking place "now" targeting air defence and radar systems.
