Trump: Iran Shot Down a U.S. Apache Helicopter Over the Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a recent post on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Iran had shot down an advanced U.S. military Apache helicopter that was conducting a patrol mission over the Strait of Hormuz overnight. Trump wrote that two pilots were aboard the helicopter and that both were rescued unharmed. Referring to the incident, he said: “Despite the fact that the pilots are safe, the United States will be forced to respond to this attack.” Earlier, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement that an Apache helicopter had crashed near the coast of Oman. CENTCOM said the aircraft had been conducting “a patrol in regional waters” when the incident occurred, and that U.S. forces successfully rescued both pilots. However, CENTCOM did not provide details regarding the cause of the helicopter’s crash in its statement.