A U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter crashed early Tuesday near the Strait of Hormuz, but President Donald Trump said the two crew members aboard were not injured in the incident near the strategic waterway that Iran has effectively closed during the war. A U.S. Navy surface drone found and rescued the two crew from the waters of the strait, the U.S. military’s Central Command told Reuters. The pair were rescued within about two hours and were in stable condition, CENTCOM said in a statement.
It was not immediately clear whether the Apache had been shot down by Iranian fire, experienced mechanical failure, or encountered another problem. Asked if he knew what had brought the helicopter down, Trump said a report would be issued later on Tuesday. Iranian state television reported Tuesday the Israeli attacks killed at least two members of the country’s air defense units. Since the U.S. and Israel began striking Iran on Feb. 28, the war has shaken the global economy, driven up energy prices around the world, and made many basics, including food, more expensive.
