President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the crew of a U.S. Army helicopter that went down near the Strait of Hormuz was rescued safely and suffered no serious injuries.
According to United States Central Command, two crew members were recovered by American forces roughly two hours after the aircraft was lost at sea. Both were reported to be in stable condition.
The helicopter, identified as an AH-64 Apache, was operating near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that has been at the center of tensions during the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Military officials said the cause of the incident remains under investigation. It is not yet known whether the aircraft experienced a mechanical failure or was brought down by hostile action.
A U.S. official familiar with the rescue operation said the crew members were recovered with assistance from a surface drone operated by the Navy’s Task Force 59, a unit focused on unmanned maritime systems. If confirmed, the rescue could mark a significant milestone in the military’s use of autonomous technology.
The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions following renewed exchanges between Israel and Iran. The latest hostilities have raised concerns about a broader conflict and continued disruptions to energy markets.
Trump told reporters that negotiations aimed at reducing tensions remain ongoing and expressed optimism that a diplomatic agreement could be reached. He also said he had recently spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about efforts to maintain a temporary pause in hostilities.
The helicopter loss is the latest military incident tied to the conflict. U.S. forces have faced a series of operational setbacks during the campaign, including aircraft losses and other accidents across the region.
Defense officials have not provided additional details about the helicopter or the circumstances surrounding the crash as the investigation continues.
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