Donald Trump has lashed out at Iran as Tehran takes “too long to negotiate a deal” over three months into the conflict. The US President took to his social media platform Truth Social to once again claim that Iran’s military capabilities have been completely destroyed since attacks began in February.
Mr Trump accused the Iranian leadership of being “all talk and no action” as he tries to bring the protracted peace process to a close. He wrote: “Iran’s Military is a complete and total mess. Much of it, like their Navy and Air Force, doesn’t even exist anymore – They have been completely defeated.
“Iran is all talk and no action. The Bully of the Middle East is DEAD!!! They’ve taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them, now they will have to pay the price!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
This comes after the US military was dealt a major blow by Iran following the downing of an American helicopter in the Gulf.
A drone boat rescued the crew of a US Army attack helicopter that crashed early Tuesday near the Strait of Hormuz, a US official said.
It was the first known drone rescue at sea by the US military, Captain Tim Hawkins said, a spokesman for US Central Command.
He said the unmanned boat located the two aviators and brought them to shore after they spent about two hours in the water. Military officials had not confirmed what caused the Apache helicopter to go down.
Mr Trump confirmed the news, saying both pilots involved “are safe and uninjured”. He also warned of retaliation against Iran, saying, “The United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack”.
He wrote on Truth Social: “I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz.
“There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
AH-64 Apache helicopters have been a key asset for the US military as it enforces a blockade on Iranian crude oil shipments and tankers, seeking to pressure Tehran into a deal.
They have also been used by the United Arab Emirates to shoot down Iranian drones.
