US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Iran shot down a US Apache attack helicopter during a patrol mission over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated that while the two crew members were safely rescued and were not injured, the United States "must respond" to the attack.
According to US Central Command, the helicopter went down near the coast of Oman, and both soldiers were rescued within two hours by American forces, with assistance from a naval surface drone.
The Apache is one of the US military’s most advanced attack helicopters, equipped with a 30mm chain gun and Hellfire missiles. This marks the second confirmed loss of a US crewed aircraft during the ongoing Middle East conflict, following the downing of an F-15 fighter jet in April.
The incident raises fresh concerns about the fragile ceasefire that has been in place since April 8, as Washington and Tehran continue efforts to negotiate an end to the war.
