US President Donald Trump says Iran shot down a “highly sophisticated” Apache attack helicopter while it was patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump made the claim in a social media post on Tuesday, saying he was informed by the US military that the helicopter was downed “last night.” He said two pilots were involved and that both are safe and uninjured. Trump added that the United States “must, of necessity, respond.”
The statement comes as a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran is disrupted by fighting and amid wider regional tensions involving Israel, Iran, and other countries in the area. Trump previously said a deal to end the war could be reached within “two or three days,” and has described Iran’s military capabilities in earlier remarks as largely eliminated.
The sources presented also note that Iran has demonstrated continuing air-defence and strike capabilities, including downing an F-15E Strike Eagle in April and shooting down around 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones, according to the article. It also points to recent missile and drone exchanges in the region involving Iran, Israel, and US-linked targets.
