WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Iran of shooting down a U.S. Army Apache helicopter that crashed while patrolling near the Strait of Hormuz, saying the United States “must, of necessity, respond” to the incident.
The helicopter went down near the strategic waterway late Monday, and both crew members were rescued safely by U.S. forces. Trump said the pilots were unharmed and that further details would be released following an official assessment.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region and renewed friction between Washington and Tehran. While U.S. authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, Trump publicly blamed Iran and signaled that a response from Washington could follow.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes, carrying a significant share of global energy supplies.
