U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Iran of shooting down a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter while it was patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz, although U.S. military officials had earlier said the cause of the incident remained under investigation.
“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,” Trump said in a statement.
Earlier, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said two crew members from a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache were rescued after their helicopter went down near the coast of Oman at 7:33 p.m. ET on June 8 while patrolling regional waters. The soldiers were safely recovered within approximately two hours and are in stable condition.
CENTCOM said the cause of the incident was under investigation and did not attribute the helicopter’s loss to Iranian fire.
The rescue operation was led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from U.S. Air Force and Navy units, including U.S. 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59.