A U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter crashed near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, with President Donald Trump confirming that the two pilots on board are safe. The incident occurred in a region still tense following recent exchanges of fire between Iran and Israel, which have strained the nominal ceasefire in the ongoing Iran war.
Crash Details and Response
The cause of the crash remains unclear as of Tuesday morning in the Middle East. Iranian state media, citing foreign reports, acknowledged the incident without providing further details. The U.S. military's Central Command and the Defense Department have not yet responded to requests for comment from the Associated Press.
Speaking to journalists at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after watching the NBA Finals on Monday night, Trump said, “The pilots are fine. Yeah. Nobody injured. We are going to issue a report tomorrow. But the pilots are fine.”
Broader Context
The crash comes amid the ongoing conflict that began when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28. The war has significantly impacted the global economy, driving up energy prices and increasing the cost of basic goods such as food. Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in April, efforts to secure a permanent end to the hostilities have been unsuccessful.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for global oil shipments, and Iran has previously threatened to disrupt traffic there. The New York Times first reported that the Apache went down near the strait under unclear circumstances.
Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this report.
