DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter has crashed near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump reassured the public that the two crew members involved in the incident are unharmed, highlighting the ongoing tensions in an area heavily influenced by Iranian control.
The cause of the crash remains unknown as of Tuesday morning, amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East following an exchange of fire between Iran and Israel. This confrontation marked a significant escalation in the fragile ceasefire in the ongoing Iran conflict. Iranian state media, relying on international reports, confirmed the crash but provided no further details.
Since the onset of U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran on February 28, the conflict has disrupted the global economy, pushing up energy costs and increasing the price of essential goods like food. Despite efforts, the April ceasefire has yet to evolve into a lasting peace agreement.
Speaking to reporters at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after attending the NBA Finals on Monday night, President Trump addressed the situation.
“The pilots are fine. Yeah,” Trump stated. “Nobody injured. We are going to issue a report tomorrow. But the pilots are fine.”
The New York Times first reported that a U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter went down near the strait in unclear circumstances. The U.S. military’s Central Command and the Defense Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
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 have also been used by the United Arab Emirates to shoot down Iranian drones during the Iran war.
Trump insists an Iran deal is coming
Trump also expressed renewed optimism over negotiations with Iran.
“We have a good chance” of signing a deal in “two or three days,” Trump said. He didn’t provide any details on why there was reason for new optimism.
“We’re very close to having a very, very good, strong, powerful deal,” the president said. “If we go and bomb — which we could do very easily if we want, and we spend another two or three weeks bombing — they’ll have nothing left whatsoever. But you won’t have the Strait open for months.”
He added: “If we do the bombing, you know, a lot of people are going to be killed. Who wants to do that? I don’t.”
Mediators, led predominantly by Pakistan, have been trying for weeks to get a deal across the line. However, both Iran and the U.S. have taken hard-line positions.
The U.S. wants to see Iran give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which is believed still to be entombed in the country after American airstrikes in the 12-day war in 2025. But Iran is refusing that and demanding relief from sanctions. It also wants the release of frozen assets even before a final agreement is in place, something rejected by Trump.
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