US Apache crew rescued after crash near Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump said the crew of a downed Army Apache attack helicopter survived without injury after the aircraft went down near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, as Washington deploys extensive air assets to counter Tehran's effective blockade of the vital commercial waterway amid ongoing high-stakes negotiations to end the large-scale war between the US, Israel and Iran that began on Feb. 28.
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday that the crew of an Army Apache attack helicopter survived without injury after the aircraft went down near the Strait of Hormuz, as investigators probe whether the incident resulted from hostile fire, mechanical failure, or other causes.
Crash details remain unclear
The crash occurred on Monday amid heightened regional tensions following recent military exchanges between Israel and Iran that have tested the durability of an uneasy ceasefire. The cause of the incident remains undetermined, with officials examining whether Iranian defenses targeted the aircraft or if a malfunction occurred during operations near the contested waterway, according to The New York Times.
Trump confirms crew safety
Speaking to reporters early Tuesday, Trump stated that "the pilots are fine, nobody injured," adding that Washington would issue a detailed report on the incident. The president emphasized that negotiations with Tehran remain ongoing and the two sides are "very close" to reaching a comprehensive agreement, according to The New York Times.
Air campaign losses mount
The US military has deployed Apache helicopters alongside MQ-9 Reaper drones and F/A-18 and F-35 strike aircraft as part of a Central Command campaign to challenge Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. Since hostilities began on February 28, Iranian forces have downed approximately 30 Reaper drones, while several US fighter jets have been lost to both hostile and friendly fire. Monday's incident marks the first loss of an Apache attack helicopter in the conflict.
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