US Helicopter Goes Down Near Strait of Hormuz

A US Army Apache attack helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, with both crew members recovered alive, two officials tell the New York Times. It's not yet known whether the gunship was brought down by Iranian fire. President Trump said Tuesday the crew was "fine" and promised more details in a forthcoming report. Iranian state media acknowledged the crash without claiming responsibility, per NPR.

The downing comes amid a standoff around the strait, where the US has been trying to counter what officials describe as Iran's effective shutdown of commercial shipping. Central Command has been flying Apaches, Reaper drones, and fighter jets as part of that effort, pushing helicopter patrols closer to Iranian-held islands in the strait and Persian Gulf. Iran has destroyed roughly 30 US drones and downed several jets since the war began Feb. 28, but this marks the first Apache lost. The US, which imposed its own maritime blockade on April 13, says its ships have turned away 134 vessels and disabled seven that ignored orders to divert.