{"id":4351,"date":"2026-06-09T18:48:43","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T18:48:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/06\/09\/trump-blames-iran-for-downing-of-army-helicopter-and-says-us-must-respond\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T18:48:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T18:48:43","slug":"trump-blames-iran-for-downing-of-army-helicopter-and-says-us-must-respond","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=4351","title":{"rendered":"Trump blames Iran for downing of army helicopter, and says US must respond"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-color:var(--article-border);background-color:var(--article-inner-background)\" class=\"dcr-wqti5a\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1ma2nzf\">\n<div style=\"--grid-area:media\" data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"3271cb70-310d-4b3a-831b-3efcabecf7ed\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Helicopter silhouetted in flight over the strait of Hormuz with cargo ships below\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/1ea32f3c7c2a2102d6c0513d9fb7eb02d84d915e\/96_0_1068_854\/master\/1068.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"371.8258426966292\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">An AH-64 Apache flying above the strait of Hormuz.<\/span> Photograph: US Central Command<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"3271cb70-310d-4b3a-831b-3efcabecf7ed\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">An AH-64 Apache flying above the strait of Hormuz.<\/span> Photograph: US Central Command<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:border\" data-gu-name=\"border\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:headline\" data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1jwoxwb\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">Trump blames Iran for downing of army helicopter, and says US must respond<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:standfirst\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-15in7js\">\n<p>US president says crew members are \u2018safe and uninjured\u2019 after attack near strait of Hormuz early on Tuesday<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jun\/09\/middle-east-crisis-iran-israel-us-donald-trump-strait-of-hormuz-peace-deal-latest-news-updates\" data-link-name=\"in standfirst link\">Middle East crisis \u2013 live updates<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:body\" data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-pzh79o\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-1c9t5u6\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Donald Trump has blamed Iran for downing a US army helicopter near the strait of Hormuz, warning that the United States would be forced to respond to the attack.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The US army Apache helicopter gunship crashed off the coast of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/oman\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Oman<\/a> early on Tuesday, according to US Central Command. The two crew members were later rescued in an unprecedented operation using an unmanned drone boat, the military said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The cause of the crash was not initially revealed, but in a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/iran\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Iran<\/a> was responsible, and said that Washington could not allow such an incident to go unanswered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/strait-of-hormuz\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>,\u201d the US president wrote. \u201cThere were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to the attack.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The helicopter went down as the Middle East was still reeling after Iran and Israel exchanged fire on Monday in the biggest blow yet to the strained ceasefire in the Iran war. Iranian state television reported on Tuesday that the Israeli attacks killed at least two members of the country\u2019s air defence units.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Since the US and Israel began striking Iran on 28 February the war has shaken the global economy, driven up energy prices around the world and made many basics, including food, more expensive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Officials have been unable to turn the April ceasefire into a deal to permanently end the conflict, particularly as Israel intensifies and expands its military campaign in Lebanon against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The crash happened at about 3.30am local time on Tuesday off the coast of Oman while the helicopter was on a patrol, US Central Command said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">An unmanned boat located the two aviators after they spent about two hours in the water, said Centcom spokesperson Capt Tim Hawkins. He said it was the first known drone rescue at sea by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/us-military\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">US military<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Military officials did not say what caused the Apache helicopter to go down, saying the crash was under investigation. Trump said he had just learned Iran was responsible before posting his accusation on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">AH-64 Apache helicopters have been a key asset for the American military as it enforces a blockade on Iranian crude oil shipments and tankers, seeking to put pressure on Tehran to make a deal. The helicopters have also been used by the United Arab Emirates to shoot down Iranian drones.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The drone used to perform the rescue was a 24-foot (7.3-metre) vessel called a Corsair, Hawkins said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Before he accused Iran of downing the US helicopter, Trump had expressed renewed optimism over negotiations with Iran.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cWe have a good chance\u201d of signing a deal in \u201ctwo or three days\u201d, Trump said. But he didn\u2019t provide any details on why there was reason for new optimism. In the two months since the US and Iran agreed to an initial ceasefire, Trump has repeatedly predicted that a deal is near.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cWe\u2019re very close to having a very, very good, strong, powerful deal,\u201d the president said. \u201cIf we go and bomb \u2013 which we could do very easily if we want, and we spend another two or three weeks bombing \u2013 they\u2019ll have nothing left whatsoever. But you won\u2019t have the strait open for months.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He added: \u201cIf we do the bombing, you know, a lot of people are going to be killed. Who wants to do that? I don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>With reporting by the Associated Press<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1xavc9x\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-military\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US military<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/world\/iran\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Iran<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/world\/strait-of-hormuz\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/world\/oman\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Oman<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-foreign-policy\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US foreign policy<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/donaldtrump\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Donald Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/world\/middleeast\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Middle East and north Africa<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Trump%20blames%20Iran%20for%20downing%20of%20army%20helicopter,%20and%20says%20US%20must%20respond&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/jun\/09\/trump-blames-iran-for-downing-of-army-helicopter-and-says-us-must-respond?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fjun%2F09%2Ftrump-blames-iran-for-downing-of-army-helicopter-and-says-us-must-respond&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/jun\/09\/trump-blames-iran-for-downing-of-army-helicopter-and-says-us-must-respond\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:right-column\" data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-babllm\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tn16h9\">\n<section class=\"dcr-1hko8ef\"><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An AH-64 Apache flying above the strait of Hormuz. Photograph: US Central Command View image in fullscreen An<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":4353,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4351","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4351","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4351"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4351\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4351"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4351"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4351"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}