Trump: Iran shot down our helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, we must respond

(Patria) - U.S. President Donald Trump said today that Iran shot down an American Apache helicopter patrolling the Strait of Hormuz and pledged to respond to the attack.

"Our military just informed me that the Iranians last night shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache helicopters patrolling the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States of America must necessarily respond to this attack," Donald Trump wrote in a post on social media.

Interesting development pic.twitter.com/6WhamEGZq1

— Warfare Analysis (@warfareanalysis) June 9, 2026

Two crew members were safely rescued by U.S. forces after their Apache helicopter crashed off the coast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed earlier today.

"The soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition. The cause of the incident is under investigation," CENTCOM said.

CENTCOM claims the military helicopter crashed "while patrolling regional waters."

"Apache helicopters are primarily used for precision strikes, close air support, and aerial reconnaissance," CENTCOM's website states.

Trump's statements further heightened uncertainty over the prospects for a ceasefire declared on April 8.

On Monday, Israel and Iran said they would halt mutual attacks after Trump's call to end the first direct exchange of fire.

Nevertheless, Tehran warned it would continue to target Israel if it continued to attack Iran's ally Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The escalation of the conflict further strained efforts to mediate a peace agreement that would end the broader war in the Middle East and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In earlier statements about the downing of the Apache helicopter, Trump said the two crew members of the U.S. helicopter were "fine" after being rescued by a U.S. Navy drone.

In Tehran, two Iranian air defense personnel killed in Israeli attacks a day earlier were to be buried this afternoon, the Iranian military said. There were no casualties in Israel following Iranian attacks.