DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A drone boat rescued the crew of a U.S. Army attack helicopter that crashed early Tuesday near the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that Iran has effectively closed during the war, a U.S. military official said.A 24-foot unmanned boat located the two aviators and brought them to shore after they spent about two hours in the water, said Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command.Military officials have not said what caused the Apache helicopter to go down. A military news release on the incident said it was under investigation. The crash occurred with the Middle East still reeling after Iran and Israel exchanged fire the previous day in the biggest blow yet to the straining ceasefire in the Iran war. Iranian state television reported Tuesday the Israeli attacks killed at least two members of the country’s air defense units.
Since the U.S. and Israel began striking Iran on Feb. 28, the war has shaken the global economy, driven up energy prices around the world and made many basics, including food, more expensive. Officials have been unable to turn the April ceasefire into a deal to permanently end the conflict, particularly as Israel intensifies and expands its military campaign in Lebanon against the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah.
