The U.S. military launched strikes against Iran Tuesday evening in direct retaliation for the downing of an American Apache helicopter on Monday.

• IDEF shares are climbing. See the chart and price action here.

U.S. Central Command announced the action on X:

“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began launching self-defense strikes against Iran at 5 p.m. ET today at the Commander in Chief’s direction, in response to yesterday’s downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter,” CENTCOM said in the post.

CENTCOM called the mission “a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.”

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began launching self-defense strikes against Iran at 5 p.m. ET today at the Commander in Chief's direction, in response to yesterday's downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter. The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian…

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 9, 2026

Defense Stocks, ETFs On Watch

Defense stocks moved in after-hours trading on the news.

The iShares Defense Industrials Act ETF (NASDAQ:IDEF) was the sharpest mover, surging 10.41% to $35.20.

General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE:GD) added 1.22% to $349.89 and Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT) was essentially flat at $530.23.

RTX Corp. (NYSE:RTX) — maker of the Patriot missile system and Tomahawk cruise missile — edged up 0.25% to $182.02.

The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:ITA) and State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSE:XAR) held their close prices at $230.34 and $273.30, respectively.

Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC) and L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX) were both flat after hours at $548.15 and $308.24.

Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) was also flat, trading after hours at publication at $132.19.

Photo: Shutterstock

Disclaimer:This article represents the opinion of the author only. It does not represent the opinion of Webull, nor should it be viewed as an indication that Webull either agrees with or confirms the truthfulness or accuracy of the information. It should not be considered as investment advice from Webull or anyone else, nor should it be used as the basis of any investment decision.