Trump vows response against Iran after downing of US helicopter

President Trump on Tuesday blamed Iran for shooting down an American Apache helicopter overnight and said a response was necessary.

“I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump posted on his social media site Truth Social.

“There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

The episode adds to an increasing number of back-and-forth military strikes between the U.S. and Iran despite an April ceasefire.

Nevertheless, the president is telegraphing that a deal to end the war with Iran could be signed within days. While the war has surpassed the 100-day mark, Trump has claimed for weeks that a deal is imminent.

U.S. Central Command said that the AH-64 Apache helicopter went down on Monday evening near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters, and two crew members were rescued by American forces within two hours. The soldiers were reported as in stable condition.

Iran’s speaker of Parliament, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, a key figure among the nation’s surviving leadership, posted on the social media site X a thinly veiled warning that Iran stands ready to respond militarily.

“We prefer the language of diplomacy, but we speak other languages far more fluently. Break your commitments, and we’ll switch to what we speak best. You ride the horse you saddled!” he posted.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi echoed that threat and called for the U.S. to retreat.

“Foreign forces in proximity to our territory are at constant risk on account of their own human errors, plain accidents, or potentially being caught in crossfire,” he posted on X.

“To reduce risk, best solution is for them to leave. We prefer language of diplomacy but speak other languages too.”

Trump told the New York Post last week that he would end the ceasefire with Iran if Tehran killed any American troops.

Experts say that points to Trump’s unwillingness to return to open warfare with Iran. The president is focused on reaching a deal with the Islamic Republic to first reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effectively closed in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks at the end of February, sending oil prices climbing.

The U.S. and Iran would then commit to negotiations for a deal on Iran’s nuclear program. Iran wants to retain the right to enrich uranium for what it claims are peaceful purposes, but that the Trump administration and Israel fear lays the pathway to developing a nuclear weapon.

Updated at 2:57 p.m. EDT