Trump says pilots safe after US helicopter goes down near Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on June 9 that the two pilots from a crashed Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz are safe, though the cause of the crash—whether mechanical failure, Iranian fire, or another issue—remains under investigation. The White House, State Department, and U.S. Central Command did not immediately provide details, but Trump indicated a report would follow later in the day. The helicopter went down amid a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which both sides declared on June 8 after Trump’s intervention. Iran warned it would resume attacks if Israel continued targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon, while Israel maintained its operations there would continue independently of any U.S.-Iran negotiations. The ceasefire follows escalating strikes over the weekend, including Iranian missile attacks on Israel and Israeli strikes on Iranian air defenses and a petrochemical plant. Trump also claimed he could propose an Iran deal within days, though no specifics were shared. His remarks came as his approval ratings hit record lows ahead of November midterm elections. In a separate call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on June 8, Trump reportedly warned Netanyahu that further conflict with Iran could leave Israel isolated, saying, 'Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon.' Iranian officials, including Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, described ongoing U.S.-Iran communications as marked by 'extreme suspicion.' Tehran has tied any potential peace deal to an end of Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon, which has killed thousands, while Israel insists the conflicts are separate. Meanwhile, Iran continues to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route, though Washington has imposed its own restrictions.