U.S President Donald Trump has stated that Iran was responsible for downing an American military helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.
He asserted that the U.S “must” respond to the attack, a remark that signals impending escalation.
“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.”
Donald Trump
Trump’s made the comment in a social media post after a drone boat rescued the crew of the Apache attack helicopter that crashed near the strategic waterway, which Iran has effectively closed during its war with the U.S and Israel.
Capt. Tim Hawkins, a Spokesman for U.S Central Command (CENTCOM), said that it was the first known drone rescue at sea by the U.S. military. He disclosed that the unmanned boat located the two aviators and brought them to shore after they spent about two hours in the water.
Hawkins said that the drone used to perform the rescue was a 24-foot (7.3-meter) vessel called a Corsair. It’s manufactured by Saronic Technologies. The drone was assigned to the Navy’s Task Force 59, established in 2021 as the Navy’s first uncrewed and artificial intelligence unit that focuses on maritime security in the Middle East, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal.
According to U.S Central Command, the crash happened about 3:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, off the coast of Oman while the helicopter was on a patrol.
Apache helicopters have been a key asset for the American military as it enforces a blockade on Iranian crude oil shipments and tankers, seeking to pressure Tehran into reaching a deal. The helicopters also have been used by the United Arab Emirates to shoot down Iranian drones during the Iran war.
.Vance Says Iran War Will Not Become A Quagmire For US
Meanwhile, U.S Vice President JD Vance said that the war will not become a quagmire for Washington, unlike Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I feel extremely confident that we are not going to be talking about America’s involvement in Iran even a year down the road, but certainly not years down the road. I think that we’re going to be successful. If this diplomacy ultimately falls apart, then the President has further tools at his disposal.
“But so long as we keep this thing anchored to the core mission − prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon − it’s not going to become a quagmire.”
JD Vance
Earlier, Vance said to a news agency that Israel and the United States have “a lot of shared interests, but we also have some situations where our interests diverge” as he discussed a potential peace deal with Iran.
“Thanks to what’s happened over the last few months, but really over the last year and a half, we’ve created the space necessary where the President believes – and I think he’s right – that we can get the long-term settlement to Iran’s nuclear deal.
“Now, Israel may like that, they may not like that, but fundamentally we think this is in the best interest of the United States of America.”
JD Vance
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