Iran Shoots Down US Apache Helicopter in Strait of Hormuz; Crew Members Rescued, US Strikes Back

US President Donald Trump announces that Washington will retaliate against Iran for shooting down a military helicopter last night over the Strait of Hormuz.

“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. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured,” Trump writes on Truth Social.

“Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack,” Trump adds, without elaborating on what a response might look like.

But Israel is prevented from retaliation (or minimized its retaliation) when it is attacked.

“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. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States… pic.twitter.com/yMGXqG89ax

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 9, 2026

The two crewmembers were rescued by a drone-boat. Central Command: At 7:33 p.m. ET on June 8, two crew members from a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache were rescued by American forces after their helicopter went down near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters. The Soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition. The cause of the incident is under investigation. Rescue efforts were led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from U.S. Air Force and Navy units including U.S. 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59 (CENTCOM).

More details on the rescue: The crew of a U.S. Apache attack helicopter shot down by Iran was rescued by a drone-boat known as Corsair. It was a first-of-its-kind operation, with incredibly high stakes…. Saronic advertises Corsair as autonomous. It was not immediately clear how it maneuvered during the rescue mission. It was operated by the Navy’s Task Force 59, which was established in 2021 to experiment with unmanned tech and artificial intelligence and fold them into naval operations. Navy leadership has for years advocated for a hybrid fleet, or a mix of manned and unmanned ships. The Corsair, unveiled in October 2024, is 24 feet long. It can travel 1,000 nautical miles, carry 1,000 pounds and hit speeds greater than 35 knots (Axios).

US strikes Iran after an Apache helicopter shot down over the Strait of Hormuz

The United States launched a series of strikes against Iranian targets following the downing of an American Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, which President Donald Trump directly… pic.twitter.com/XWluyWjZ5O

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 10, 2026

In response the USA just launched “self-defense strikes against Iran” in response to “yesterday’s downing of an Apache helicopter”

The explosions are reported from Qeshm island, Sirik, Bandar Abbas and 2 other locations near the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States launched a series of strikes against Iranian targets following the downing of an American Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, which President Donald Trump directly attributed to Tehran. According to the Pentagon, American forces targeted Iranian air defense systems, ground control stations, and radar installations. U.S. Central Command announced the completion of the operation three hours after it began. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have attacked 21 targets on US military bases in the region, including sites in Bahrain and Jordan. Kuwait reported intercepting incoming attacks. American officials have not yet commented on reports of attacks on their bases, and it is unclear whether any damage was caused. However, according to local authorities, an air alert was declared in Bahrain, and the Iranian attacks were repelled.

US strikes Iran after an Apache helicopter shot down over the Strait of Hormuz

The United States launched a series of strikes against Iranian targets following the downing of an American Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, which President Donald Trump directly… pic.twitter.com/XWluyWjZ5O

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 10, 2026