Trump says pilots are fine after US helicopter crashes near Strait of Hormuz
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump said the two crew members on the helicopter were “okay” after the incident in the strategic waterway controlled by Iran.
The cause of the crash remained unclear on Tuesday morning in the Middle East, which is still reeling after Iran and Israel exchanged fire the previous day, dealing the biggest blow yet to the tense ceasefire in the Iran war. Iranian state media acknowledged the crash without elaborating, citing foreign reports.
The war has been going on since the US and Israel began striking Iran on February 28. shook the global economyIt raised energy prices worldwide and laid many foundations, food includedmore expensive. Authorities could not return April ceasefire An agreement was reached to end the conflict permanently.
Speaking to reporters at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after watching the NBA Finals on Monday night, Trump acknowledged the crash.
“The pilots are in good condition. Yes,” Trump said. “No one was injured. We will issue a report tomorrow. But the pilots are in good condition.”
The New York Times first reported that a U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter crashed near the strait under unclear circumstances. The U.S. military’s Central Command and the Department of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
Apache helicopters have been an important asset for the American military, which is imposing a blockade on Iranian crude oil shipments and tankers and trying to pressure Tehran to reach a deal. Helicopters were also used by the United Arab Emirates to shoot down Iranian drones during the Iran war.
Trump insists on reaching a deal with Iran
Trump also expressed renewed optimism about negotiations with Iran.
“We have a good chance of signing a deal in two or three days,” Trump said. But he did not provide any details as to why the new optimism was emerging.
“We are very close to a very, very good, strong, effective agreement,” the president said. “If we go and bomb it – which we can do very easily if we want, and if we spend another two or three weeks bombing – they will have nothing. But you can’t leave the strait open for months.”
He added: “If we do the bombing, you know, a lot of people are going to die. Who wants to do that? I don’t.”
Mediators, mainly led by Pakistan, have been trying for weeks to reach an agreement that crosses the line. However, both Iran and the USA took harsh stances.
The United States wants Iran to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium believed to still be buried in the country after American airstrikes in the 12-day war in 2025. However, Iran rejects this and demands the easing of sanctions. He also wants frozen assets to be released before a final deal is made, something Trump has rejected.
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Price reported from New York. Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report.
