US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of shooting down an American military helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Washington will respond to the incident.
The claim marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, with Iranian authorities yet to publicly acknowledge responsibility for the alleged attack.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Trump said he had been informed by the US military that an Iranian attack brought down a US Apache helicopter during a patrol mission over 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.
He added that the two pilots aboard the aircraft were rescued safely and did not suffer injuries.
US promises response
Trump signaled that Washington would retaliate following the incident.
“Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack,” he said.
The statement raises concerns about a further deterioration in regional security at a time when multiple conflicts continue to strain diplomatic efforts.
Pentagon investigating incident
Earlier, the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said the cause of the helicopter incident was under investigation.
CENTCOM confirmed that the personnel involved were rescued within approximately two hours and were reported to be in stable condition.
No further operational details were immediately released.
The latest development comes amid ongoing tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
Recent weeks have seen military confrontations and exchanges across the region, placing additional pressure on a ceasefire that has faced repeated challenges since it came into effect earlier this year.
Iranian officials have previously criticised US military actions and Israeli operations in the region, arguing that such actions undermine ceasefire efforts and regional stability.
Iran yet to claim responsibility
As of now, Iranian authorities have not confirmed or commented on Trump's allegation that Iranian forces shot down the helicopter.
The absence of an official Iranian response leaves key questions unanswered regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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