Trump confirms Iran shot down helicopter, says U.S. 'must' respond

President Donald Trump speaks to the press before boarding Air Force One prior to departure from John F. Kennedy International Airport, in New York. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

President Trump said Tuesday the U.S. "must" respond to an attack from Iran on a U.S. army helicopter that was patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Central Command confirmed that the helicopter went down at 7:33 p.m. ET on June 8. The two crew members were rescued about two hours later.

"I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz," Trump wrote on his platform Truth Social.

"Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack," Trump said.

Last week, Trump was asked about a report that his red line for ending the tenuous ceasefire with Iran would be if American troops were killed and he said: "It would be a good reason, I'd be honest with you."

The incident shows the high-stakes nature of Trump's current position - trying to navigate an end to the war that is straining global economies and tanking his popularity, while ensuring American military credibility. Both allies and enemies will be watching how Trump responds to a direct threat to military personnel.

Iran's parliament speaker posted on X after U.S. president's statement on a U.S. response: