Trump Claims Iran Downed US Apache as Oil Jumps, Stocks Sink

U.S. President Trump claimed Iran shot down a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter while it was patrolling near the Strait of Hormuz. He said both crew members survived and warned that the United States would respond to the incident.

CENTCOM stated that an Apache helicopter went down near the coast of Oman. The two soldiers were rescued within about two hours and are in stable condition. The cause of the incident is still under investigation. Rescue efforts involved U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, the 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Air Force units, U.S. Navy units and the U.S. 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said recent strikes on Iran were intended to prepare for a larger and more powerful military operation if required. He added that Israel remains ready to resume operations against Iran and will continue intensifying actions against Hezbollah along the southern Lebanon front.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran still prefers diplomacy and wants disputes with the United States to be resolved through negotiations. However, he warned that if Washington or other parties fail to honor their commitments, Tehran will respond using what it considers the most effective measures.

Ghalibaf’s comments came shortly before President Trump said the U.S. would have to respond after Iran allegedly shot down an American Apache helicopter near Oman, adding to tensions between the two countries.

Financial markets reacted quickly to the developments. The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) turned positive and rose 0.01% to 100.01, while EUR/USD trimmed gains and traded up 0.03% at 1.1537.

Oil prices surged after Trump’s comments, with both WTI and Brent crude rising about $3 per barrel intraday. U.S. stocks fell sharply, with the S&P 500 down more than 2.2% and the Nasdaq 100 dropping 4.1% as investors reacted to rising Middle East tensions.