May 10, Kathmandu – Iran has reportedly shot down an American Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, the United States has launched an attack on Iran’s Qeshm Island. President Donald Trump held Iran responsible for the helicopter downing and warned of a punitive response. Following the US strike, Iran has issued a stern warning of retaliation. This escalation has heightened fears of renewed conflict in the region. Iranian state media reported hearing an explosion on Qeshm Island, located in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital maritime trade routes, which Iran has closed during wartime. According to Iranian sources, the attack was concentrated on Qeshm Island rather than Tehran or other major cities. No detailed reports on casualties or material damage have been released so far.
President Trump’s Warning: On Tuesday, President Trump claimed that Iran had shot down a US military helicopter that was patrolling over the strait, insisting that a response was imperative. “The Iranians have shot down one of our state-of-the-art Apache helicopters,” Trump stated, adding that both crew members aboard were unharmed. The US military reported that the Apache helicopter crash-landed near the coast of Oman on Monday, and the two crew members were rescued early Tuesday morning. Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for US Central Command, said the pilots had spent approximately two hours in the water before being recovered by a 24-foot unmanned drone vessel and taken to a safe location. Their condition is stable.
Iran Threatens to Respond to US Attack: Reacting to the US strike following the helicopter incident near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a warning via X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, “If you want to stay safe, get out of our region. Foreign military forces operating around our area are always at risk. We prioritize diplomacy but know how to respond in other languages if necessary.” The downing of the helicopter and the subsequent US attack have strained the ceasefire that had been in place for the past two months. Recent clashes between the US and Iran around the Hormuz region, along with Israeli strikes in Lebanon, have jeopardized the ceasefire agreed on April 8. The US and Israel began military operations against Iran on February 28. Since then, both the West Asia region and the global economy have been affected. Without a permanent agreement between the parties, fears of a full-scale war remain significant.
