The US military started attacking Iran on Tuesday evening in response to the downing of an Apache helicopter, the US Central Command said (CENTCOM).CENTCOM

The alleged shoot-down came hours after a US fighter jet fired on a Palau-flagged commercial tanker accused of attempting to outrun the US blockade of Iran.

US president says that, although the pilots were rescued, Washington 'must, of necessity, respond to this attack'.

The US military says the two crew members were rescued by a sea drone and are in stable condition.

Trump has repeatedly said Iran wants to make a deal with him to end the war and that they have agreed to concessions.