Trump calls US strikes on Iran a 'strong response,' says deal with Tehran will hold

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said the United States had carried out strikes on Iran in retaliation, describing the operation as significant. In remarks to ABC News, Trump said US helicopters had been shot down and that the response to Iran needed to be "very strong and decisive." The president said he backed the principle of "responding with force" and expressed confidence that a good agreement with Tehran would continue, without elaborating. The US military said the strikes on Iran were carried out under "legitimate self-defense," according to the report. The New York Times reported on Monday that a US military helicopter had crashed near the Strait of Hormuz, with the crew rescued and reported safe. Explosions were also heard in southern Iran, according to the report. Trump's comments marked his first public remarks on the US strikes against Iran, though no further details on the scope of the operation or Iranian casualties were immediately available.