Arabic version: ترامب يتهم إيران بإسقاط مروحية أمريكية، ويعد بالرد

President Donald Trump has accused Iran of shooting down a US helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz and vowed to respond to the attack out of “necessity.” According to BBC News, two crew members of the Apache helicopter that crashed following the attack were rescued by an American sea drone, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Trump confirmed on Truth Social that both pilots are safe and uninjured, but emphasized the need for a US response. The nature of this response remains unclear, yet any military action could escalate tensions with Iran, especially as the region is already on edge after recent Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.

Iranian media appeared to acknowledge the incident, although they have not claimed responsibility for the attack. This incident marks the first loss of an Apache helicopter since the conflict with Iran began. Earlier, Trump had indicated that Washington was in “the final throes” of a deal with Tehran to resolve the ongoing regional conflict.

On social media, Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, hinted at potential retaliation while expressing a preference for diplomatic solutions. He stated, “We prefer the language of diplomacy, but we speak other languages far more fluently. Break your commitments, and we’ll switch to what we speak best.”

The situation remains fluid, with both Iran and Israel having recently paused attacks following a brief exchange of fire. Trump urged both nations to cease hostilities to facilitate negotiations aimed at a broader peace agreement. Despite the potential for a diplomatic resolution, the downing of the helicopter has raised domestic concerns in the US regarding the appropriate response to Iran’s actions.