US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of shooting down an American helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz and warned that Washington would respond to the attack out of “necessity”.
The Pentagon said two crew members aboard the Apache helicopter were rescued by an American sea drone after the aircraft crashed.
“There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack.”
It remains unclear what form the US response may take, though any military action risks further destabilising the fragile ceasefire with Iran. There was no immediate response from Tehran to Trump’s remarks.