09 June,2026 04:16 PM IST | Dubai | mid-day online correspondent
Donald Trump. File Pic
A US Army helicopter crashed near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, but both crew members on board escaped without injuries, US President Donald Trump said on Monday. The incident occurred as tensions continue to simmer across the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and their regional allies.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and US military officials had yet to provide detailed information on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The helicopter crash took place near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply passes. The waterway has remained at the centre of regional tensions during the ongoing conflict involving Iran and Israel.
Reports of the crash emerged as the Middle East continued to grapple with renewed hostilities. Iran and Israel exchanged fire a day earlier in what was described as one of the most serious escalations since a fragile ceasefire was reached. Iranian state media acknowledged the crash, citing foreign reports, but did not provide additional details.
The conflict, which intensified following US and Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year, has contributed to economic uncertainty, rising energy prices, and disruptions in global markets.
Speaking to reporters at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after attending the NBA Finals, Trump confirmed that the helicopter crew members were safe.
"The pilots are fine. Nobody was injured," Trump said, adding that an official report on the incident would be released soon.
According to a report by The New York Times, the aircraft involved was a US Army Apache attack helicopter. Neither the US Central Command nor the Pentagon immediately responded to requests for comment.
Apache helicopters have played a significant role in US military operations in the region. They have been deployed in efforts to enforce restrictions on Iranian oil shipments and have also been used by regional allies to counter drone threats.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Trump suggested that diplomatic progress with Iran could be possible in the coming days.
"We have a good chance" of reaching an agreement within "two or three days," he told reporters, although he did not provide specifics regarding the negotiations.
Trump reiterated that a military option remains available but argued that a diplomatic solution would be preferable to further escalation.
"If we continue bombing, many people could be killed. Nobody wants that," he said.
Negotiators have been working for weeks to bridge major differences between Washington and Tehran. The United States is seeking limits on Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, while Iran has demanded sanctions relief and access to frozen financial assets before any final agreement is reached.
Diplomatic efforts remain complicated by deep disagreements between the two sides. Washington continues to insist on restrictions related to Iran's nuclear programme, while Tehran maintains that economic concessions must accompany any deal.
Analysts say these differences have slowed progress despite repeated statements from both sides suggesting that negotiations are ongoing.
Separately, the Israeli military issued a new evacuation warning for residents of Tyre, a major port city in southern Lebanon.
The warning included parts of the city that had previously been spared from extensive military operations. Israeli officials said they believed members of Hezbollah were operating in some neighbourhoods.
In recent weeks, many civilians displaced by fighting elsewhere in southern Lebanon had sought refuge in these areas. The Lebanese army had deployed forces to parts of Tyre in an effort to demonstrate that armed groups were not present there.
However, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the military could take action if it determined that Hezbollah activities were continuing in the area, raising concerns about a further expansion of military operations in Lebanon.
(With inputs from AP)
