Trump says US ‘must respond’ after Iran allegedly shoots down helicopter

US President Donald Trump accused Iran of shooting down an American helicopter while it was patrolling the Strait of Hormuz near the coast of Oman.

“I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. 

According to the Pentagon, the two pilots involved in the alleged attack were rescued by an American sea drone. "There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured," Trump later confirmed.

“Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack.”

Shortly before Trump announced the downed helicopter, Iran’s top negotiator in peace talks with Washington, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, appeared to signal retaliation in a post on social media.

"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."

"You ride the horse you saddled!" he said.

Tehran has yet to respond to Trump’s threats, although Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency reported that the country had not claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The escalation came after Israeli forces launched strikes across southern Lebanon on Tuesday, once again violating a ceasefire agreement. Iran had previously warned that any Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon would trigger a fresh wave of retaliatory strikes.

At least nine people were killed in Israel’s attack on Tyre, while two Lebanese Red Cross paramedics were injured. Separate attacks also destroyed homes in the town of Maroun al-Ras.

Israeli army chief of staff Eyal Zamir said Israel is ready to carry out another “deep strike” on Iran if ordered to do so. He also warned that the recent attack on Iran served as preparation for what he described as a “much more significant and severe blow.”

The Lebanese Health Ministry said 3,666 people have been killed since Israel escalated its attacks on the country on March 2. A further 11,321 people have been wounded.