US Helicopter May Have Been on a Mission to Attack Iranian Boats in the Strait of Hormuz

A US Army Apache helicopter that went down near the Strait of Hormuz yesterday may have been on a mission to attack armed boats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that are imposing Iran’s writ in the crucial waterway.

It is not immediately clear whether the Apache was shot down by Iranian fire, experienced mechanical failure or encountered some other problem.

While it’s not clear what the Apache was doing at the time, they have previously been used to attack Iranian small boats as part of the US blockade of Iranian ports.

Apache helicopters are primarily used for precision strikes, close air support, and air reconnaissance, according to the Central Command website                                                                                                                          

US President Donald Trump stated “the pilots are fine” after being asked about a report that a US Army helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz.

“The pilots are fine, nobody injured,” Trump told reporters in New York after attending Monday night’s NBA Finals game.

He did not provide further information on what happened but added a report would be issued “tomorrow."

The apparent loss of the aircraft came after hostilities in the region escalated over the weekend, with Iran and Israel exchanging their first direct attacks in months late Sunday.

If confirmed, it would be the first loss of an Apache since the war against Iran began.