Sky News halted its regular broadcast this evening to deliver a breaking news announcement from US President Donald Trump, who claimed on Truth Social that Iran had shot down a US Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.
Details of the Incident
Presenter Matt Barbet interrupted the scheduled programming to read Trump's social media post. The president stated that two pilots were onboard but both remained safe and uninjured. Trump wrote, "The United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack," and signed off as "President Donald J Trump."
The helicopter went down amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, following exchanges of fire between Iran and Israel the previous day, which dealt a significant blow to the ceasefire of the Iran war that began in February. According to Iranian television, Israeli forces killed at least two members of Iran's air defense units.
Public Reaction
Sky News viewers reacted swiftly on social media. One user questioned the presence of American helicopters in the region, writing, "WTF were the American Apache helicopters doing there anyway? Don't start wars you can't finish." Another commented, "Trump's ceasefire is holding up well. Is there anybody left still listening to him." A third added, "Trump said he'd destroyed all of Iran's air defences about 2 weeks into the war, and now they’re shooting down American Apache helicopters? What with?" A fourth user noted, "The same Iranians that Trump claimed had no military weaponry left? That Iran?"
Official Response
Military officials have stated that the crash is under investigation but have not yet determined the cause. Trump claimed he had just learned that Iran was behind the attack before posting his allegation on Truth Social on Tuesday, June 9.
