US Centcom confirms helicopter crash near Oman, cause under investigation

A United States Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed near the coast of Oman while conducting a patrol mission in regional waters, according to the US military.

Both crew members on board were rescued safely, and officials have launched an investigation to find the cause of the incident.

In a post on social media platform X, US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed that the helicopter went down on June 8. The two soldiers were rescued at approximately 7:33 p.m. ET, around two hours after the aircraft was reported missing.

The military said that both personnel were in stable condition and did not suffer serious injuries.

The incident occurred near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical maritime routes for oil shipments. Investigators are examining whether the crash was caused by a mechanical failure or possible hostile fire from the Iranian side.

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Trump says pilots are safe

US President Donald Trump addressed the incident on Tuesday while speaking to reporters at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after attending the NBA Finals.

“The pilots are fine. Yeah. Nobody injured,” Trump said. “We are going to issue a report tomorrow. But the pilots are fine.”

His comments sought to reassure the public amid growing attention on the crash and speculation about what may have caused the helicopter to go down.

Rescue operation launched

According to the US military, the rescue effort was led by US Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division. Additional support was provided by US Air Force and Navy units, including the US Fifth Fleet's Task Force 59, the Centcom said.

The operation successfully located and recovered both crew members within a relatively short period after the crash.

Incident comes amid regional tensions

The crash took place during a sensitive period in West Asia. Just one day earlier, Iran and Israel had exchanged direct fire before Iran announced a suspension of military operations, raising hopes for a fragile ceasefire.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a key strategic waterway and has frequently been at the centre of ongoing conflict between the US, Israel and Iran. Although Iranian state media briefly acknowledged reports of the helicopter crash, no details were provided and there was no indication of Iranian involvement.

US officials have not yet released preliminary findings from the investigation. A formal report on the incident is expected as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.