Trump says US forces 'must' respond after Iran shot down helicopter near Hormuz Strait

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump said Tuesday the US military "must" respond after Iran allegedly shot down a US Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.

"I have just been informed ... that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The two pilots onboard the helicopter were rescued and are "safe and uninjured," Trump said.

"Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack," he added.