A U.S. Army Apache helicopter gunship faced an incident near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Fortunately, both crew members were safely rescued, as confirmed by sources briefed on the situation.
The cause of the helicopter’s downfall remains uncertain. It is not clear whether it was due to Iranian fire, mechanical issues, or another problem. The incident is currently under investigation according to an anonymous source.
This event took place amidst a period where hostilities in the region were fluctuating. Israel and Iran had traded military strikes before calming down, demonstrating the fragile nature of the current cease-fire.
By Monday night, the Trump administration had not made any announcements regarding the downed helicopter. The New York Times contacted the White House press office, but a spokesman for President Trump did not immediately provide a statement. Additionally, Central Command did not respond to requests for comment.
The U.S. military employs Apaches along with armed MQ-9 Reaper drones and F/A-18 and F-35 attack planes. This forms part of Central Command’s strategy to challenge Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical commercial route.
Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has reportedly downed around 30 Reaper drones. There have also been losses among U.S. fighter jets due to both hostile and friendly fire. This marks the first report of an Apache being lost.
Last month, Central Command shared imagery of Adm. Brad Cooper over the strait. This was before the U.S. Navy’s brief attempt to secure commercial shipping routes, known as Project Freedom.
The AH-64 Apache gunship is equipped with Hellfire missiles and is a formidable aircraft in the region. It is involved in deterring small-boat attacks and drone threats. However, these helicopters have recently been moving closer to Iranian-controlled territories as part of the U.S.’s firm stance in the region.
In response to Iran’s moves, the U.S. initiated its blockade on April 13, hindering commercial vessels from accessing Iranian ports. Since this blockade started, U.S. military ships have interdicted 134 vessels.
The Navy reported disabling seven vessels that ignored warnings, including a Palau-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Monday.
In April, two crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle ejected and were rescued after being shot down by Iran.
Eric Schmitt reports on national security for The Times. Maggie Haberman covers the White House, and Jonathan Swan reports on the Trump administration. Contact them for secure communication via Signal.
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