US President Donald Trump on Tuesday blamed Iran for shooting down an American Apache helicopter that was patrolling the Strait of Hormuz overnight and vowed to respond.
"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 wrote in a post on Truth Social.
"Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack," he added.
Also read: US Army Apache helicopter crashes near Strait of Hormuz
Trump's comments come after a drone boat rescued the crew of the Apache attack helicopter that crashed near the strategic waterway, which Tehran has effectively closed during its war with the US and Israel.
The US President said that both service members “are safe and uninjured.”
US Army crew members picked up by drone boat
The Apache helicopter crash happened about 3:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday off the coast of Oman while the helicopter was on a patrol, according to US Central Command.
It was the first known drone rescue at sea by the US military, Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command told AP. He added the unmanned boat located the two aviators and brought them to shore after they spent about two hours in the water.
However, military officials did not disclose what caused the Apache helicopter to go down, saying the crash was 'under investigation'.
