President Trump accused Iran of downing a U.S. military helicopter during patrol operations. Both pilots were rescued safely and remain uninjured.
4:50 PM
President Donald Trump accused Iran of shooting down a U.S. military Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening and said the United States "must, of necessity, respond to this attack."
"I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday. "There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack."
The two crew members of the AH-64 Apache helicopter were rescued by a U.S. Navy sea drone approximately two hours after the incident, according to the Pentagon. U.S. Central Command said the pilots were in stable condition following their recovery near the coast of Oman.
The incident marks the first loss of an Apache helicopter since the conflict with Iran began. It occurred during a routine patrol mission in the strategic waterway, which has been a focal point of regional tensions between the United States and Iran.
The helicopter downing comes amid a fragile ceasefire that has been in place for approximately two months. Both the United States and Iran have continued peace negotiations despite several military flare-ups in the region in recent weeks. Earlier in the conflict, Israel and Iran exchanged military attacks before both sides pulled back from further escalation.
Trump stated on Tuesday that he expected to sign a deal with Iran within one or two days, though the helicopter incident now threatens that timeline. The president has previously announced an imminent agreement with Iran multiple times in recent weeks.
Israeli authorities ordered the evacuation of Tiro as regional tensions remained elevated. Media reports indicated at least nine deaths in recent fighting in the broader conflict zone.
The specific circumstances surrounding the helicopter's downing were initially unclear, but later reports confirmed Iranian involvement in the incident, which is now under investigation. Trump's vow to respond risks further destabilizing the ceasefire and complicating ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region.
It was not immediately clear what form any U.S. response would take. Iranian media, through the semi-official Mehr News Agency, reported that Iran had not claimed responsibility for the incident as of Tuesday evening.
The US conducted strikes on Iranian military sites over the weekend in response to a downed drone. Iran then targeted a US base in Kuwait with ballistic missiles, which were intercepted.
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President Trump postponed a military strike scheduled for Tuesday following requests from leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates amid ongoing negotiations.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military action against Oman during a cabinet meeting, citing reported talks between Oman and Iran over controlling the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. military conducted defensive strikes Wednesday on an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas, downing four drones near the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump threatened severe consequences if Iran fails to reach a peace deal, as Tehran plans Strait of Hormuz tolls and Hezbollah strikes Israeli targets.
