Story perspectives

Trump Posts West Wing Clip After Iran Strikes Target Water

6/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump posted a clip from *The West Wing* rejecting proportional retaliation after new U.S. strikes on Iran.
Trump ordered the strikes as self-defense after an Apache helicopter was shot down near the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Central Command called the strikes a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.
A New York Times investigation said the bombing also hit water-supply reservoirs and pipelines, potentially a war crime.

History

Historical Context

On 18 April 1988 the United States launched Operation Praying Mantis, a naval strike that sank six Iranian warships, disabled a frigate and destroyed 11 oil platforms after Iran’s mining of Gulf shipping during Operation Earnest Will. The attack, followed weeks later by the downing of Iran Air Flight 655, helped push Iran toward the July 1988 cease-fire that ended its eight-year war with Iraq.

1 of 2

Story summary

President Donald Trump posted a clip from *The West Wing* rejecting proportional retaliation after new U.S. strikes on Iran.
Trump ordered the strikes as self-defense after an Apache helicopter was shot down near the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Central Command called the strikes a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.
A New York Times investigation said the bombing also hit water-supply reservoirs and pipelines, potentially a war crime.

1 / 2