A U.S. Army helicopter crashed near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, though both crew members aboard escaped without injury, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known as authorities continued investigating the incident, which occurred amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf region and continued uncertainty surrounding efforts to stabilize the conflict involving Iran.
Speaking to reporters at John F. Kennedy International Airport after attending an NBA Finals game in New York on Monday night, Trump confirmed that the pilots were safe.
“The pilots are fine. Nobody was injured,” the president said. “We are going to issue a report tomorrow, but the pilots are fine.”
The incident took place near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes, where regional tensions have remained elevated despite an April ceasefire aimed at reducing hostilities.
The crash occurred as concerns continued to grow over renewed military activity in the region. On Tuesday, Iranian state media reported that Israeli strikes carried out the previous day killed at least two members of Iran’s air defense forces, marking another escalation in the fragile security environment.
Since the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran intensified in late February, global markets have faced significant disruptions. Energy prices have surged, supply chains have been strained, and the cost of key commodities, including food and fuel, has increased in many countries.
Diplomatic efforts to transform the temporary ceasefire into a permanent peace agreement have so far failed to produce a breakthrough. At the same time, military operations have continued elsewhere in the region, including intensified Israeli actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
According to a report by The New York Times, the aircraft involved was a U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter. Neither the U.S. military’s Central Command nor the Defense Department immediately provided details regarding the circumstances of the crash.
Apache helicopters have played a prominent role in regional operations, including missions related to maritime security and enforcement activities in Gulf waters. The aircraft have also been used by regional allies, including the United Arab Emirates, in efforts to counter drone threats during the conflict.
Officials are expected to release additional information once the investigation into the crash is completed.
