Mike Baker

The attacks mark Iran's response to the American strikes that we reported on this morning.

As a reminder, U.S.

Central Command launched three waves of strikes Tuesday evening after investigators determined that an Iranian one-way attack drone had brought down an American Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week.

Those strikes targeted Iranian air defense systems, surveillance radar sites, and ground control stations near the strategic waterway.

According to CENTCOM, American Air Force and Navy fighter jets used precision-guided munitions to hit targets near Sirik, Jaisk, and Qeshm Island, areas that form part of Iran's coastal network around the Strait of Hormuz.

The Pentagon described the operation as a, quote, proportional response to what it called Iran's unjustified aggression.

Now, Iran has answered.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the overnight attacks and warned that any additional American military action would trigger what it called more severe and widespread strikes against U.S.

targets throughout the region.

Iran also claims to have shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone during the exchange, though that report has not been independently confirmed.

At first glance, the latest developments may appear to signal that both countries are once again sliding toward a broader conflict.

But, as discussed in yesterday's PDB, there are also signs that both sides are trying to keep this confrontation contained.

Consider the pattern that's emerged over the last 48 hours.

An Iranian drone brings down an American Apache helicopter.

The United States responds with strikes against Iranian military infrastructure.

Iran then retaliates with missile and drone attacks against American facilities in the region.

In each case, the response has been calibrated.

The United States obstruct radar sites, air defense systems, and ground control stations rather than nuclear facilities or senior military leaders or strategic infrastructure deeper inside Iran.

Likewise, while Iran launched missiles and drones at American bases, there are currently no reports of U.S.

casualties.