Trump defends ‘very powerful’ US strikes on Iran over downed Army helicopter

Covered by: Robert McGreevy, Alex Nitzberg, Yonat Frilling, Morgan Phillips, Trey Yingst, Jennifer Griffin, Sophia Compton, Emma Bussey and Landon Mion

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President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended U.S. strikes against Iran, saying they were a direct response to the downing of the U.S. Army Apache helicopter.

Speaking with ABC News' Jonathan Karl as U.S. Central Command announced retaliatory strikes against Iran, Trump said, "I think it's very important to respond. They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding as we speak."

Trump said the strikes were a direct response to Iran's actions.

"This is a response to what they did 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," Trump added.