Pilots 'fine', says Trump after reported downing of US copter near Hormaz

FE Team | Published: June 09, 2026 22:49:01

A drone view of vessels anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman on Monday. — Reuters

NEW YORK, June 9 (AFP): President Donald Trump said Tuesday that two pilots were uninjured after reports that a US military helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz.
It was not immediately clear whether the Apache helicopter was shot down, experienced mechanical failure or encountered some other problem, the New York Times reported, citing two people briefed on the incident.
"The pilots are fine, yeah. Nobody injured," said Trump, speaking to reporters before departing New York after attending an NBA finals game.
"We are going to issue a report on that tomorrow," he added, without commenting on what may have caused the incident.
Trump also said Tuesday that negotiators were in the "final throes" of talks for a peace deal in the Middle East, after Iran and Israel halted fresh hostilities that threatened to reignite the months-long war.
Meanwhile, Trump also said on Tuesday that negotiators were in the "final throes" of talks for a peace deal in the Middle East, after Iran and Israel halted fresh hostilities that threatened to reignite the months-long war.
Trump has repeatedly said that a peace agreement with Tehran is imminent, but diplomacy has stalled and the two sides have traded fire despite a ceasefire in place since April 8.
Iran and Israel "were going back and forth and now they both agreed through me to stop and we're in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal," the US leader told reporters on his return from an NBA Finals game. Asked whether it would be matter of days or weeks, he said it would take "two or three days".
Tehran has repeatedly stated any deal should include Lebanon -- where Israel has been pressing its war with Iran-backed Hezbollah -- and fired missiles at Israel on Sunday.