US Army Apache helicopter gunship went ?down near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. (Representational Image) A United States Army Apache helicopter gunship went ?down near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday and its two crew members ?were safely rescued, The New York Times reported on Monday. It was not immediately ?clear ?whether the Apache was shot down by Iranian fire, experienced mechanical ?failure or encountered some other problem, the report ?added. As of now, neither the White House nor the US military’s CENTCOM commented on the report. The incident occurred after days hostilities in the region intensified following Israel and Iran exchange of military strikes despite the ceasefire announcement. READ MORE: 'Sometimes Lovers Have a Spat': Israel Envoy Downplays Trump-Netanyahu Rift Amid Iran War The US military has used Apaches, as well as armed MQ-9 Reaper drones and F/A-18 and F-35 attack planes, as part of an aggressive effort by Central Command against Iran following its closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Iran has shot down about 30 unmanned Reaper drones, and a handful of US fighter jets have been lost to hostile and friendly fire since the war started on February 28. But this would be the first Apache lost in the conflict. READ MORE: 'Total Victory' In 2 Weeks? Optimistic Trump Says Iran Wants 'Very Good Deal' Last month, US Central Command shared images on social media showing Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of the force, flying over waters around the strategic strait ahead of a US Navy initiative aimed at assisting commercial vessels transiting the area. The mission, known as Project Freedom, was launched to help guide merchant ships through the waterway but operated only briefly. Among the military assets deployed in the region are AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, widely regarded as some of the most formidable aircraft in service. Equipped with Hellfire missiles, the gunships routinely patrol the crucial maritime corridor to deter attacks by hostile small boats and counter potential drone threats. Mahima Joshi works as a Chief Copy Editor at Times Now and is part of the India and Breaking Desk. Covering national stories and bringing breaking new... View More