A U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter crashed early Tuesday near the Strait of Hormuz, but President Donald Trump confirmed that both crew members were safe and uninjured.
The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. local time off the coast of Oman while the aircraft was conducting a routine patrol mission in regional waters, according to U.S.
Central Command. The soldiers were rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Trump, speaking to reporters at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after attending the NBA Finals, said, "The pilots are fine.
We are going to issue a report tomorrow." He added that additional details would be released later Tuesday. The crash comes amid heightened tensions in the region, as Iran and Israel exchanged fire the previous day in what is seen as the most significant breach of the fragile ceasefire that has been in place since April.
The AH-64 Apache helicopters have been a key asset for the U.S. military in enforcing a blockade on Iranian crude oil shipments, aiming to pressure Tehran into a broader agreement.
Despite the crash, Trump expressed renewed optimism about negotiations with Iran, stating, "We have a good chance" of signing a deal in "two or three days." He emphasized that the U.S. could easily bomb Iran but warned that such action would close the Strait of Hormuz for months and result in many casualties.
"If we do the bombing, you know, a lot of people are going to be killed. Who wants to do that?" he said.
Mediators, led predominantly by Pakistan, have been working to broker a permanent agreement, but major differences remain. The U.S.
demands that Iran surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which is believed to remain in the country after American airstrikes in 2025. Iran has rejected this, seeking sanctions relief and access to frozen assets before any final deal.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf accused Trump of contradicting agreed-upon terms, suggesting the U.S. is not serious about a ceasefire.
Broader regional tensions continue to complicate the talks. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah remains a key issue for Iran.
Lebanon's army chief, Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, traveled to Pakistan on Tuesday to meet with Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has played a prominent role in diplomatic efforts.
Hezbollah thanked Iran for attacking Israel "in defense of our Lebanese people," urging Beirut to strengthen ties with Tehran. Meanwhile, the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for the southern port city of Tyre, including its Christian quarter, which had previously been spared from airstrikes.