Trump: Iran Shot Down US Helicopter, ‘We Must Respond’

President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran shot down a US military helicopter, and that the United States “must, of necessity, respond to this attack.” He made the statement in a social media post. The incident comes as the relationship between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shows signs of strain. The two leaders have been close allies, but their political priorities are now diverging. According to analysis by The Guardian’s senior international correspondent Julian Borger, the rift began shortly after the two leaders launched a joint military campaign against Iran on 28 February. The promised quick victory and regime change did not happen, and their interests have since moved apart. The situation escalated after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. This caused a spike in oil prices and disrupted global trade in chemical products. For Trump, this became a political threat. Democrats have a realistic chance of winning control of at least one chamber of Congress in November’s midterm elections, which would weaken his authority. Trump also wants to avoid global distractions while the United States hosts football’s World Cup. The growing tensions with Iran may now force him to choose between a military response and his domestic priorities.