Trump Calls Apache Helicopter Crash Near Hormuz Strait Minor

TEHRAN, Iran — U.S. President Donald Trump said the Apache helicopter crash over the Strait of Hormuz was not a major incident and that the pilot was safe. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Trump said the blockade on Iranian ports was weakening the country's economy and would remain in place as long as necessary. In a separate interview with ABC, Trump said the United States would prevail in its confrontation with Iran. He described Israel's recent strike on Iran as unnecessary but said he understood the motivation behind it. Trump also said he had told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to take actions that would undermine ongoing negotiations with Iran. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi denied that Tehran was responsible for the helicopter crash. Gharibabadi said the incident was not an intentional attack. Trump had previously announced that the United States would respond to Iran over the helicopter incident near the Strait of Hormuz.