Pilots 'fine' after US helicopter goes down near Strait of Hormuz

Donald Trump says the helicopter crew is "fine". (Supplied: US Central Command)

US President Donald Trump has confirmed reports a US Apache helicopter has gone down near the Strait of Hormuz.

Mr Trump, on his way back from the third game of the NBA finals in New York, was asked to respond to reports of the crash.

"We are going to issue a report tomorrow but the pilots are fine."

The New York Times reported that the helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday local time, citing two people briefed on the incident.

It said it was unclear whether the Apache had been shot down or encountered some other problem.

Hours earlier, US Central Command said US forces had disabled a tanker in the Gulf of Oman. It claimed the vessel was attempting to sail to Iran.

"An F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) fired a precision munition into the ship's engineering and steering spaces after the crew failed to comply with directions from US forces," Central Command said on X.

US aircraft have been operating in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz as part of the almost two-month long blockade of the vital waterway.

Despite recent claims of progress toward a memorandum of understanding, Iran and Israel launched strikes at each other yesterday.

The US president is in deepening trouble and he does not seem to know how to get himself out of it.

Hours later, following an appeal from Mr Trump, both said they would stop the attacks.

"Both sides, Israel and Iran, are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE! Final negotiations on "Peace" are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way," Mr Trump posted on Truth Social.

"The Blockade will remain in place, and in full force and effect, until a "Final Deal" is reached."