A US Army Apache helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, prompting fresh scrutiny of military operations in one of the world's most strategically important waterways.
According to a report by The New York Times, both crew members aboard the aircraft were rescued safely after the incident. The cause of the helicopter's loss was not immediately known.
Officials have not confirmed whether the Apache was brought down by hostile fire, suffered a mechanical malfunction or encountered another operational issue.
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US President Donald Trump later confirmed that the crew members were safe and said a formal report on the incident would be released.
🚨 A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter has gone down near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important waterways.
— GlobeUpdate (@Globupdate) June 9, 2026
-Both crew members were rescued safely
-No injuries reported#USArmy #Helicoptercrash #sstvi #Irán #Prahaar pic.twitter.com/xfkXEi1Rkl
"The pilots are fine," Trump told reporters, adding that more details would be made public after an official review.
Incident comes amid regional tensions
The helicopter clash took place on the same day when Israel and Iran launched military attacks against each other in what initially appeared to be a brewing regional crisis but soon simmered down.
The Strait of Hormuz continues to be one of the most important sea passageways in the world as it transports a major chunk of the world's oil supplies through it.
Recently, the United States military forces have been conducting many activities in and around this region in light of growing tensions between Iran and maritime safety issues. Among other assets, Apache helicopters have been used to assist with these activities.
One of the US military's most advanced gunships
The AH-64 Apache is regarded as one of the most capable attack helicopters in service. Equipped with Hellfire missiles, advanced targeting systems and heavy armour protection, the aircraft is designed for both anti-armour operations and close air support missions.
The helicopter plays a key role in US military operations across the Middle East and has frequently been used to monitor strategic waterways and support regional security missions.
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According to reports, this could be the first Apache helicopter lost by US forces since the current conflict environment intensified earlier this year.
The US military has not yet released further details on the circumstances surrounding the incident, and an official investigation is expected to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
The development comes at a sensitive time for the region, where military activity around the Strait of Hormuz remains under close international watch due to its significance for global energy markets and maritime trade.
FAQs
Q1. What happened to the US Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz?
A US Army Apache helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz, but both crew members were rescued safely.
Q2. Has the cause of the Apache helicopter incident been confirmed?
No. Officials have not yet determined whether the helicopter was brought down by hostile fire, mechanical failure or another cause.