U.S. Army Apache Helicopter Incident Near Strait of Hormuz

A U.S. Army Apache helicopter gunship went down near the Strait of Hormuz. The two crew members were safely rescued. Two people briefed on the incident shared this information.

The cause of the incident remains unclear. One source mentioned that it is under investigation. Possible reasons include being shot down by Iranian fire or mechanical failure.

This event follows a period of escalating and then subsiding hostilities in the region. Israel and Iran exchanged military strikes before stepping back. This highlights the fragile state of the cease-fire.

The Trump administration had not disclosed the helicopter’s downing when contacted by The New York Times on Monday night. A spokesman for President Trump offered no immediate statement. Central Command did not respond to a request for comment.

The U.S. military uses various aircraft, including Apaches, MQ-9 Reaper drones, and F/A-18 and F-35 attack planes. Central Command’s efforts challenge Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz to most commercial traffic.

Iran has shot down about 30 unmanned Reaper drones. Some U.S. fighter jets have been lost to hostile and friendly fire since February 28. This incident marks the first Apache lost in the conflict.

Last month, Central Command shared imagery of Adm. Brad Cooper flying over waters near the strait as part of the U.S. Navy’s operation Project Freedom. The AH-64 Apache gunship, armed with Hellfire missiles, operates in the region. These aircraft patrol the strategic waterway to deter small-boat attacks and down drones.

Apaches have moved closer to Iranian territory, including islands controlled by Iran in the strait and the Persian Gulf. This is part of Central Command’s aggressive posture amid U.S.-Iran negotiations over the strait.

The U.S. imposed a blockade on April 13 in response to Iran’s blockade. This measure prevents commercial vessels from entering or leaving Iranian ports. U.S. military ships have turned away 134 vessels since then.

The Navy disabled seven other vessels that ignored American warnings, including an oil tanker flagged by Palau. This tanker was steaming through the Gulf of Oman toward Iran.

In April, two crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet were rescued. The aircraft was shot down by Iran, and the crew ejected into hostile territory.