Pilots are fine after U.S. helicopter crashes near Strait of Hormuz, Trump says

By — Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Jon Gambrell, Associated Press By — Michelle L. Price, Associated Press Michelle L. Price, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/pilots-are-fine-after-u-s-helicopter-crashes-near-strait-of-hormuz-trump-says Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Pilots are fine after U.S. helicopter crashes near Strait of Hormuz, Trump says World Jun 9, 2026 12:47 PM EDT DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A U.S. Army attack helicopter crashed early Tuesday near the Strait of Hormuz, but President Donald Trump said the two crew members aboard were not injured in the incident near the strategic waterway that Iran has effectively closed during the war. What caused the crash of the Apache remained unclear in a Middle East still reeling after Iran and Israel exchanged fire the previous day in the biggest blow yet to the strained ceasefire in the Iran war. Iranian state television reported Tuesday that the Israeli attacks killed at least two members of the country's air-defense units. READ MORE: Trump dismisses idea that Iran betrays his 'no new wars' campaign message Since the U.S. and Israel began striking Iran on Feb. 28, the war has shaken the global economy, driven up energy prices around the world and made many basics, including food, more expensive. Officials have been unable to turn the April ceasefire into a deal to permanently end the conflict, particularly as Israel intensifies and expands its military campaign in Lebanon against the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Trump, speaking to journalists at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after watching the NBA Finals on Monday night, acknowledged the crash. "The pilots are fine. Yeah," Trump said. "Nobody injured. We are going to issue a report tomorrow. But the pilots are fine." WATCH: What Iran and Israel's escalation means for efforts to end regional conflict The crash happened about 3:30 a.m. local time Tuesday off the coast of Oman while the helicopter was on a patrol, the U.S. military's Central Command said in a later statement. It said the crew members were rescued within two hours and in stable condition. AH-64 Apache helicopters have been a key asset for the American military as it enforces a blockade on Iranian crude oil shipments and tankers, seeking to pressure Tehran into a deal. The helicopters have also been used by the United Arab Emirates to shoot down Iranian drones. The New York Times first reported on the crash. Trump insists an Iran deal is coming Trump also expressed renewed optimism over negotiations with Iran. "We have a good chance" of signing a deal in "two or three days," Trump said. But he didn't provide any details on why there was reason for new optimism. In the two months since the U.S. and Iran agreed to an initial ceasefi