Army Helicopter Crashes Near Strait Of Hormuz -- Trump Says 'Pilots Are Fine'

An Army Apache helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing U.S. operations in the Persian Gulf. The incident comes as Washington and partners maintain a blockade on Iranian ports as tensions escalate in the region. President Trump said the pilots are fine, reflecting an official effort to reassure the public. The crash is the latest loss in a series of U.S. aircraft incidents since the Iran conflict intensified earlier this year. Earlier this month, Iran shot down a U.S. MQ-1 Predator drone, with CENTCOM replying by striking Iranian drone-control and missile sites. Since the start of the conflict, Iran has shot down nearly 30 MQ-9 Reapers and one A-10, while U.S. aircraft have been damaged or destroyed on the ground at Gulf bases.