A US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed into the sea near the Strait of Hormuz on June 8 after being struck by an Iranian drone. The two crew members survived, but the incident has injected a volatile new variable into an already tense standoff between Washington and Tehran.
US officials have confirmed the strike but stopped short of calling it deliberate. The investigation, still ongoing as of June 9, is focused on determining the circumstances and intent behind the collision.
What happened off the coast of Oman
The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. local time near the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman. The Apache was struck by what has been identified as a Shahed-series drone, a weapon system Iran has deployed extensively across the region in recent years, including against maritime targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
A US Navy unmanned drone boat recovered both crew members approximately two hours after the crash. It marked the first known instance of a US military sea rescue carried out by an autonomous vessel. Both pilots were reported in stable condition following the rescue.
