WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump vowed a strong response after accusing Iran of shooting down an American military helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, an incident that further heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran amid fragile diplomatic efforts.
Trump said on Tuesday that Iran had downed a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter during a patrol near the strategic waterway. In a post on Truth Social, he said the two crew members aboard were rescued and were not injured. “Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack,” Trump wrote.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the helicopter went down while operating near the Strait of Hormuz and that both service members were recovered safely within hours. U.S. officials said the circumstances of the incident were under investigation, though Trump publicly attributed responsibility to Iran.
The incident occurred during a period of heightened military activity in the Gulf and amid ongoing negotiations aimed at easing tensions between the United States and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes, has remained a focal point of regional security concerns.
Iranian officials did not immediately acknowledge deliberately targeting the aircraft. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said foreign military forces operating in the region risk becoming involved in “accidents or crossfire,” according to remarks reported by multiple media outlets. Details surrounding the helicopter's loss remain unclear.
Following Trump's pledge to respond, U.S. military forces carried out strikes against Iranian targets. CENTCOM described the operation as a “proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression,” saying it targeted radar, surveillance and air-defense sites near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran later launched missile and drone attacks against U.S. military facilities in several countries in the region, according to U.S. and Iranian officials. U.S. authorities said many of the incoming projectiles were intercepted and reported limited damage.
Trump said on Wednesday that Iran “will have to pay the price” if tensions continue to escalate, while also indicating he remained interested in pursuing a diplomatic agreement. Iranian officials, meanwhile, warned against further military action and said they would reassess future negotiations.
As of Wednesday, military and diplomatic contacts were continuing, though officials on both sides acknowledged that the latest confrontation had increased uncertainty surrounding efforts to reduce hostilities.
