Iran warns foreign forces near Hormuz ‘face risks’ after Trump threat

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Tuesday that foreign military forces operating near Iran “face risks” and called for them to leave the region, hours after US President Donald Trump vowed to respond to an alleged Iranian attack on a US military helicopter. In a statement on X, Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz is shared by Iran and Oman and is located far from US territory.

Armed forces on alert

“Our powerful armed forces are on constant alert for any violation of Iran’s airspace, land or waters,” Araghchi said. He warned that foreign forces near Iran are exposed to risks from “human errors, plain accidents, or potentially being caught in crossfire.” “To reduce risk, the best solution is for foreign forces to exit, as soon as possible, an environment which will never be hospitable to a hostile presence,” he added. The top diplomat said Tehran prefers diplomacy but is capable of responding through other means if necessary.

Trump’s claim and CENTCOM response

Trump wrote on Truth Social that “last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz,” adding that both pilots were rescued. US Central Command later confirmed that two crew members were recovered after the crash but said the cause remains under investigation. The exchange comes amid renewed tensions despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to preserve a fragile ceasefire.