Trump threatens response after US helicopter downed near Hormuz

President Donald Trump has accused Iran of shooting down a US Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz and warned that Washington will respond.

Two crew members were rescued after the AH-64 Apache crashed near the coast of Oman during a patrol mission, US officials said.

Trump said both pilots were safe, but said the United States must respond to the attack.

US Central Command said the crew were recovered about two hours after the crash with help from an American sea drone.

It is the first reported loss of a US Apache since the conflict with Iran began.

The Strait of Hormuz is a key oil shipping route and one of the most sensitive military flashpoints in the Gulf.