Trump says Iran shot down US helicopter and vows to respond

President Donald Trump announced that Iran shot down a U.S. Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, vowing that the United States would respond to the attack out of "necessity." The incident occurred while the helicopter was patrolling regional waters.

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There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack.

U.S. officials confirmed that the two pilots involved in the crash were safely rescued by an American sea drone and are in stable condition. This marks the first loss of an Apache helicopter since the conflict with Iran escalated. The downing of the aircraft comes at a sensitive time, as Trump had previously indicated that Washington was nearing a deal with Tehran to end the regional conflict.

Trump made the accusation on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, "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." He added, "There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack."

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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.

Minutes before Trump's remarks, Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, posted a cryptic message on X, which appeared to reference the incident. He stated, "We prefer the language of diplomacy, but we speak other languages far more fluently. Break your commitments, and we'll switch to what we speak best. You ride the horse you saddled!" The nature of the U.S. response remains unclear.

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We prefer the language of diplomacy, but we speak other languages far more fluently. Break your commitments, and we'll switch to what we speak best. You ride the horse you saddled!