A US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter goes down near the Strait of Hormuz, and both crew members are rescued, according to US officials cited by multiple outlets. The incident occurs late Monday while the helicopter is operating in regional waters. The Pentagon says the two crew members are recovered and receive medical care, with one account reporting they are rescued roughly two hours after the crash. US Central Command also states the incident is under investigation.
Initial reporting and official comments indicate the cause of the downing is not immediately clear. Sources describe uncertainty about whether the helicopter is shot down by Iranian forces, suffers mechanical failure, or experiences another problem. US and Iranian accounts differ: Iranian statements, as reported by some outlets, claim the aircraft is shot down by Iran’s forces, while US officials have not confirmed that Iranian fire caused the incident.
The crash comes amid high regional tensions following a recent pause in hostilities between the United States and Iran, raising concerns about the stability of any ceasefire. Multiple outlets note that the rescue involves US efforts, including unmanned surface vessels, though the exact details of the operation are not fully uniform across reports.
