Trump Says Iran Shot Down U.S. Apache Over Strait Of Hormuz, Vows American Response

The president said both pilots were rescued safely after the helicopter went down while patrolling regional waters.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Iranian forces shot down a U.S. Army Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz and said the United States would respond to the attack.

Trump disclosed the development after initially telling reporters that the two pilots aboard the aircraft were safe. U.S. Central Command said earlier that the soldiers had been rescued within about two hours and were in stable condition, while the cause of the incident remained under investigation.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said military officials informed him that Iran was responsible for downing the helicopter.

“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. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” Trump wrote.

The president had earlier addressed the incident while leaving Queens, New York, after attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

“The pilots are fine,” Trump told reporters.

“Nobody injured. We are going to issue a report tomorrow, but the pilots are fine,” he added.

U.S. Central Command said in a statement early Tuesday that the soldiers were recovered after the aircraft went down during a patrol mission over regional waters.

“The Soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition,” the command said.

The command said the Army crew was “lost at sea” after the helicopter went down while “patrolling regional waters.” Officials said at the time that the cause of the incident was still being investigated.

Trump’s statement marked a significant escalation in the administration’s public account of the incident, moving from an investigation into the downed aircraft to an allegation that Iran shot it down.

The president did not immediately provide details on what form the U.S. response would take.