Iran Denies Attack Near Strait of Hormuz After US Helicopter Crash

WASHINGTON, United States — Iranian military officials said Tuesday they did not carry out any attack operation in the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours, denying involvement in an incident that has heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump said the American military concluded that an Iranian surface-to-air missile shot down a U.S. helicopter near the strategic waterway on Monday. Trump said the United States would respond militarily to the incident. The New York Times reported that the helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz and that its crew was rescued and is safe. Iranian state television reported that no air attacks were carried out in the region over the past 24 hours. The Iranian Foreign Ministry and military officials denied any attack, saying no offensive military operations were conducted in the strait. The U.S. administration has attributed responsibility for the helicopter downing to Iran and said it would retaliate. No further details were immediately available.