President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Iran shot down a U.S. military helicopter near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, vowing a swift and forceful response.
The incident, which occurred off the coast of Oman, has sharply escalated tensions between the two nations.
According to U.S. Central Command, the helicopter went down in international waters, and two crew members were rescued by an unmanned boat shortly after the crash.
The Pentagon has not yet released the identities of the rescued personnel or the type of aircraft involved, but officials confirmed that both are in stable condition.
Trump, speaking from the White House, did not provide specific evidence for his claim but stated, "Iran shot down one of our helicopters. They will pay a very heavy price." The president added that the United States is considering all options, including military action, to respond to what he called an "unprovoked attack."
Iranian officials have denied any involvement in the incident. A spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry called Trump's accusation "baseless propaganda" and suggested that the helicopter may have crashed due to mechanical failure.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which about 20% of the world's oil passes, has been a flashpoint for U.S.-Iran tensions in recent years.
The incident comes amid heightened military posturing in the region, with the U.S. Navy maintaining a significant presence in the Persian Gulf.
International observers have called for restraint, warning that any miscalculation could lead to a broader conflict. The United Nations has urged both sides to de-escalate and allow for a full investigation into the crash.
As of now, no formal complaint has been filed with the International Maritime Organization, and the Pentagon has not released a timeline for its investigation. The rescued crew members are reportedly being debriefed at a U.S.
naval facility in Bahrain.