Iran denies deliberate Apache targeting and offensive Hormuz operation

Iran International reported that Iran's deputy foreign minister told Al Jazeera Tehran did not deliberately target the U.S. Apache and said any incident could reflect the tense Hormuz environment. The same live feed carried an IRGC-affiliated Tasnim denial of any offensive aerial operation in Hormuz over the previous 24 hours; Guardian's Reuters pickup said Iranian state media warned of a decisive response to renewed U.S. hostility.

Why this matters. This turns attribution into a contested escalation problem: Washington has response language and unofficial drone assessments, while Tehran denies deliberate or offensive action. Watch whether CENTCOM confirmation or new U.S. orders resolves the gap.