US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that two US military personnel were safe after being rescued by a US Navy drone when their Apache attack helicopter crashed in the Iran-controlled Strait of Hormuz.
According to the United States Central Command (Centcom), the AH-64 Apache went down around 3am local time near the coast of Oman while conducting a patrol mission. The military did not provide an explanation for the incident.
The two crew members were recovered within approximately two hours and were reported to be in stable condition. Centcom confirmed to Reuters that a drone carried out the rescue operation but did not identify the aircraft involved.
Authorities have not yet determined whether the helicopter was brought down by Iranian fire, suffered a technical malfunction, or encountered another issue.
When asked about the cause of the crash, Trump said additional information would be released later in the day.
“The pilots are fine,” Trump told reporters before departing from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
“Nobody injured.”
The incident occurred one day after Iran and Israel announced a halt in hostilities following an appeal from Trump. However, Tehran warned that military action could resume if Israel continued attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The fragile ceasefire comes as Washington seeks a broader agreement with Tehran to end a conflict that has lasted more than three months.
Trump also indicated that progress on a potential agreement with Iran could emerge soon, saying he might have “an idea” for a deal within days, although he provided no details. The president has repeatedly suggested that an agreement is close, but no breakthrough has yet been announced.
The latest tensions followed the most significant direct confrontation between Iran and Israel since a ceasefire reached in April. Iran launched missiles toward Israel on Sunday, describing them as retaliation for Israeli strikes near Beirut.
In response, Israel targeted Iranian air defence systems and a petrochemical facility it said was linked to ballistic missile production. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later claimed it struck a similar facility in the Israeli city of Haifa.
Neither side reported fatalities from the exchange.
Trump warns Netanyahu
US and Israeli officials confirmed that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks on Monday.
Speaking to Axios, Trump said he cautioned Netanyahu against reigniting the conflict with Iran.
“I said, ‘Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon,’” Trump said.
An Israeli military official stated that operations could continue for “as long as it takes”, while Iranian officials also signalled readiness for a prolonged confrontation.
A military source cited by Iran’s Tasnim news agency said Tehran remained prepared for an extended conflict and could renew attacks on US interests in the region if necessary.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said communication with Washington was continuing in an atmosphere of “extreme suspicion”.
Tehran has repeatedly linked any lasting peace agreement with the United States to an end to fighting in Lebanon, where Israel launched a military campaign in March.
Israel, however, has maintained that its operations in Lebanon are separate from any US-Iran negotiations and has continued military action there. Hezbollah has also continued attacks.
Meanwhile, Iran has continued restricting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that previously handled roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade. The United States has responded by maintaining restrictions on Iranian ports.
Trump has repeatedly stated that any future agreement must prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Tehran rejects those claims, insisting its nuclear programme serves peaceful civilian purposes.
Iran has also demanded the removal of international sanctions, access to frozen financial assets worth billions of dollars, and recognition of its control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
