WASHINGTON/BEIRUT/DUBAI (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Iran had shot down a U.S. Apache helicopter that was patrolling the Strait of Hormuz overnight and vowed to respond, but gave no other details.

“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,” Trump wrote in a social media post.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia FMs hold phone talks on regional issues

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. The call was part of ongoing coordination between the two countries on key regional matters.

President Sisi to welcome Congolese Counterpart in Cairo

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will receive tomorrow his Congolese counterpart President Félix Tshisekedi.The two leaders are scheduled to hold talks focusing on ways to strengthen relations between the two countries, as well as consultations on international and regional issues of mutual concern.

France bans Israeli minister Smotrich in coordinated sanctions push

France Tuesday banned Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country, as part of coordinated sanctions with other countries over settler violence against Palestinians. 

FM discusses strengthening continental cooperation with African leaders

Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aati held a series of phone consultations on Tuesday with African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Burundi’s Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana, Angola’s Foreign Minister Téte António, Tanzania’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit, and Democratic Republic of Congo’s Foreign Minister Thérèse Wagner. The discussions focused on reinforcing African joint action and advancing shared priorities across the continent.