Iran live updates: Trump says agreement with Iran could be signed as early as this weekend

U.S. forces have "completed self-defense strikes" in Iran in response to the downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter, U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Tuesday.

U.S. forces struck Iranian air defense, ground control stations and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday as part of the retaliatory strikes, CENTCOM said.

"The operation was a proportional response to recent attacks on U.S. forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters," the statement said.

"U.S. forces remain vigilant and postured to defend against unjustified Iranian aggression," the statement said.

In response to the U.S. strikes, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Iran's military "will leave no attack or threat unanswered."

"Leave our region if you want to be safe," he said.

ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl was on the phone with President Donald Trump just as CENTCOM announced the retaliatory attack against Iran.

"I think it's very important to respond. They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding as we speak," Trump said.

"I believe in responding in a strong manner. I always have throughout my life. And we have a deal that was very good, and probably will [still be]," the president continued. "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."

As the call ended, CENTCOM announced the attack.

U.S. forces have begun launching "self-defense" strikes in response to Iran's attack on a U.S. Army Apache helicopter, U.S. Central Command said.

The strikes began at 5 p.m. ET, it said.