US and Iran exchange airstrikes following helicopter crash near Strait of Hormuz
Two aviators rescued by drone boat as tensions escalate between Washington and Tehran, further destabilising the Middle East.
The US military conducted strikes on Iranian targets on Tuesday, describing the action as a proportional response to the crash of an Army AH-64 Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command stated the attacks were a reaction to "unjustified Iranian aggression," while Iranian state media reported explosions on Qeshm Island, a key location in the shipping lane.
President Donald Trump accused Tehran of shooting down the aircraft during a patrol, declaring that the United States "must, of necessity, respond to this attack." Iran denied responsibility for the crash but vowed retaliation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that foreign military forces near Iranian territory are at "constant risk" and urged them to leave the region to avoid being caught in crossfire or accidents.
The incident has further strained a fragile two-month ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which had already seen renewed hostilities. Iranian state television reported that Israeli attacks killed at least two members of Iran’s air-defense units. The conflict, which began with US and Israeli strikes on 28 February, has disrupted global energy markets and increased prices for essentials such as food.
In a notable development during the rescue operation, two US aviators were picked up by a 24-foot Corsair drone boat manufactured by Saronic Technologies. Assigned to the Navy’s Task Force 59, the drone rescued the pilots approximately two hours after the helicopter went down off the coast of Oman. This marks the first known drone rescue at sea by the US military, with the aviators subsequently transferred to a helicopter.
While a US official speaking on condition of anonymity suggested the helicopter may have collided with an Iranian drone, it remained unclear whether the collision was intentional. The event complicates ongoing diplomatic efforts mediated by Pakistan, as both sides maintain hard-line positions regarding uranium stockpiles and sanctions relief.
