WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump during an interview said he does not need congressional approval to launch an attack against Iran.

"I do", Trump said on Monday when asked by the newspaper The Hill if he believes he has the authority to attack Iran without getting approval from Congress. "We’ve been keeping Congress abreast of what we’re doing... but I don’t have to do it legally".

US Democratic leaders have demanded that Trump get permission from Congress before launching any attacks against Iran or any other nation.

Last week, Iran said it downed a US surveillance drone flying over Hormozgan Province after it violated the country's airspace. US Central Command said that the drone was shot down while operating over international waters in the Strait of Hormuz.

Following the incident, Trump said he had called off a strike against Iran because the expected 150-person casualty rate was disproportional to the Iranians' downing of a US surveillance drone.

Tensions between the United States and Iran have been rising since Washington pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers last year.