US President Donald Trump has said that two American pilots are safe after their helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz, amid heightened tensions in the region involving Iran and Israel.
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Speaking to reporters at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Trump confirmed that the crew of an Apache gunship helicopter had been rescued following the incident. He added that both pilots were in good condition and no injuries had been reported.
President Trump says the U.S. and Iran have a “good chance” of reaching a peace deal within the next few days that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Here’s the latest on the war and the U.S. Army helicopter crash: https://t.co/y3SZq647AR pic.twitter.com/D4J3wpwOLr
— News10NBC (@news10nbc) June 9, 2026
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear. According to initial reports, it has not yet been determined whether the aircraft was struck by Iranian fire, suffered a mechanical failure, or experienced another technical issue while operating near the strategically important waterway.
US officials, including the White House, the State Department and US Central Command, have not yet issued detailed statements regarding the cause of the incident. A formal investigation is expected to be announced.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route for global energy shipments, has remained a focal point of regional tensions. The incident comes shortly after Iran and Israel announced a temporary halt in direct strikes following diplomatic pressure from Washington, though both sides have warned that hostilities could resume under certain conditions.
The development also follows recent exchanges of missile and air defence strikes between Iran and Israel, which have raised concerns about a broader regional escalation. While no casualties were reported in those exchanges, the situation has remained highly volatile.
Trump also indicated that he may present a preliminary framework for a potential agreement with Iran in the coming days, although he did not provide further details. His remarks come as the US continues efforts to manage rising tensions in the Middle East and prevent further escalation between key regional actors.
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Officials say the situation remains under close monitoring as investigations into the helicopter incident continue.