WASHINGTON D.C June 9, 2026 — A US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday, prompting President Donald Trump to accuse Iran of shooting it down and vow a US response. Both crew members were rescued uninjured in a historic operation involving a US Navy unmanned surface vessel (sea drone).
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the helicopter went down while patrolling regional waters. The two pilots were recovered safely off the coast of Oman by the drone boat — the first such rescue of its kind. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, though Trump directly blamed Iran.
In a Truth Social post, Trump stated: “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.”
Later reports indicate the US launched self-defense strikes on Iranian targets in response, described by CENTCOM as a “proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi did not explicitly confirm or deny involvement in the incident. In a statement on X, he warned that foreign forces operating near Iranian territory face ongoing risks:
“Foreign forces in proximity to our territory are at constant risk on account of their own human errors, plain accidents, or potentially being caught in crossfire. To reduce risk, best solution is for them to leave.”
Araghchi emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is not international waters but shared between Iran and Oman, with “crystal clear” maritime boundaries located thousands of miles from US shores. He added that Iran’s armed forces remain on high alert and that Tehran prefers diplomacy but is prepared to “speak other languages.”
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil transit, handling about 20% of the world’s seaborne crude. The incident occurs amid heightened tensions in the region, including ongoing concerns over shipping security and fragile ceasefire efforts.
No casualties were reported from the helicopter incident itself. US officials have not released further details on the nature of the retaliatory strikes at the time of reporting.
This developing story has raised fears of broader escalation, with potential implications for oil markets and regional stability. Further updates are expected as investigations continue.
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