Iranian Official Urges Withdrawal of Foreign Forces After Hormuz Incident

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi addressed the crash of an American military helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that the presence of foreign forces near Iranian lands exposes them to numerous risks, whether due to human errors, accidental incidents, or exchanges of fire.
In a post on the "X" platform, Araqchi stated that the best way to mitigate these risks is the withdrawal of foreign forces from the region, adding that Iran prefers diplomatic means to resolve disputes, but it also has other options to deal with security challenges.
The Iranian Foreign Minister underlined that the Iranian armed forces are on permanent high alert and are ready to respond to any violation of Iranian air, sea, or land space, indicating ongoing military alertness amid existing tensions.
Araqchi's remarks come after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. military investigations concluded that Iran was behind the helicopter crash near the Strait of Hormuz, pledging a response to the incident.
Conversely, the "Axios" website quoted a senior American official saying that investigations showed an Iranian drone hit the helicopter causing it to crash. However, the investigators had not yet determined whether the collision was intentional or incidental.
The exchanged statements highlight the ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran despite current diplomatic efforts, amid concerns that any new escalation in the Gulf region could undermine the fragile calm and reignite confrontation between the two sides.