President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States will retaliate against Iran after accusing the regime of shooting down a U.S. Apache helicopter patrolling the Strait of Hormuz.
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
U.S. Central Command initially said the helicopter crashed off the coast of Oman and that the cause was under investigation. Trump later said the military had informed him that Iran was responsible for bringing down the aircraft.
“Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack,” Trump added.
Central Command said both crew members were rescued from the Persian Gulf within about two hours and were in stable condition.
It remains unclear exactly how the United States will respond to the alleged attack.
Earlier this week, Israel launched strikes on Iranian infrastructure after Tehran fired missiles at the Jewish state as fighting tied to the conflict in Lebanon continued to spill across the region.
Any American retaliation would likely further complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war and could trigger Iranian reprisals against other U.S. allies in the Gulf.
According to Central Command, the downed pilots were rescued by an unmanned drone boat before receiving medical attention.
The incident also raises questions about Trump’s repeated claims that Iran’s air and naval defenses were effectively wiped out during the opening phase of the war.
Despite those assertions, Iran has continued to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway responsible for roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, using speedboats, sea mines, and drones.
Iranian state media had not publicly taken responsibility for the attack as of Tuesday.
Before threatening a response, Trump told reporters that Washington and Tehran were close to finalizing a peace agreement that would bring the conflict to an end.
“We’re in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal that will not allow in any way, shape or form nuclear weapons,” Trump said.
“The strait will open up right away. It’ll open up immediately upon signing, which could be in two or three days.”
The central demands being pushed by the United States include requiring Iran to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium, and guarantee the free movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Download the FREE Trending Politics App to get the latest news FIRST >>
