Trump confirms US helicopter crash near Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that a US attack helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz, amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran. Speaking to journalists at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Trump acknowledged the incident, which was first reported by The New York Times. The newspaper, citing two sources familiar with the matter, said the aircraft went down in the area of the strategic waterway earlier that day. The cause of the crash remains unclear, with possibilities including being shot down, a technical malfunction, or other reasons. Trump stated, "The pilots are fine. Nobody injured. We are going to issue a report tomorrow."

The incident comes in the context of Iran's decisive retaliation against what it describes as Washington's incessant violations of a ceasefire. Trump had announced a ceasefire on April 7 after at least 100 waves of Iranian retaliation in response to American-Israeli aggression targeting the Islamic Republic. Iran had also closed the Strait of Hormuz to enemies and their allies, subsequently devising a new management mechanism for the strait and confronting trespassing vessels.

Last month, a Congressional report indicated that the American military had lost at least 42 aircraft during the 40-day span of the aggression, with estimated costs reaching billions of dollars. According to Mehr News, the report by The New York Times added that the investigation into the crash is ongoing.