The US military struck targets inside Iran on June 9, 2026, after President Donald Trump accused Tehran of shooting down an American AH-64 Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes, which began around 5 p.m. ET, targeted Iranian air-defense systems and radar installations.

Both pilots aboard the downed Apache were rescued unharmed.

Crypto markets responded with sharp volatility. Bitcoin fell to around $66,300, and approximately $350 million in leveraged positions were liquidated across the board.

What happened in the Strait of Hormuz

US Central Command justified the strikes as a necessary act of self-defense, describing the helicopter shootdown as “unjustified Iranian aggression.” Trump followed up on Truth Social, framing the military response as critical and unavoidable.

The Strait of Hormuz facilitates roughly 20% of global oil flows, making it one of the most economically significant chokepoints on the planet.

Iran reportedly retaliated against the US strikes shortly after the initial CENTCOM operations. The back-and-forth military actions have effectively shattered whatever fragile ceasefire discussions had been underway between the parties.

How crypto markets absorbed the shock

Bitcoin’s drop to around $66,300 was followed by what analysts described as mixed recovery sessions, suggesting that some traders viewed the dip as a buying opportunity while others headed for the exits entirely.

Oil supply concerns rippled into broader risk-off sentiment, which in turn hit digital assets alongside equities and other risk-sensitive instruments.

What this means for investors

The Strait of Hormuz carrying 20% of global oil traffic means this particular military confrontation has outsized market implications. Any sustained disruption to oil flows through the strait would send energy prices significantly higher, creating inflationary pressure that central banks would struggle to address without tightening monetary policy.

The $350 million in liquidations should serve as a reminder about leverage management during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.