WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)—United States (US) forces carried out strikes against Iran on Tuesday in what President Donald Trump said was retaliation for the downing of an American helicopter a day earlier by the Islamic Republic.

Trump, in a telephone interview with ABC News, said the United States was responding “in a strong manner” to “what they did with our helicopter last night.”

“And I believe the response should be very strong, very powerful, and that’s what this one is,” he said.