President Donald Trump has accused Iran of shooting down a US AH-64 Apache helicopter while it was patrolling near the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that a response from the United States is necessary. The incident resulted in the first loss of an Apache helicopter since the conflict with Iran escalated. According to US officials, two crew members were safely rescued by a US sea drone approximately two hours after the helicopter went down. Trump confirmed that both pilots were unharmed and expressed the need for a decisive response to the attack. US Central Command (Centcom) reported that the helicopter crashed near the coast of Oman during its patrol. Meanwhile, Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, emphasized the preference for diplomatic solutions but warned of a shift to stronger measures if the US fails to uphold its commitments. The rescue operation involved several US military units, including Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, highlighting the ongoing military presence in the region.