Two C-130 aircraft were lost during the operation, an official said.
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes attack targeting military and government sites, officials said.
Watch special coverage on Nightline, "War with Iran," each night on ABC and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
President Donald Trump will address the nation with "an important update on Iran" at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Iran doesn't need to make a deal with the U.S. as a prerequisite to stopping the ongoing U.S. military operation.
"Iran doesn't have to make a deal, no," he told reporters during an executive order signing about elections in the Oval Office. "I've spoken to a lot of people. It's a new regime. They are much more accessible."
"When we feel that they are for a long period of time put into the stone ages and they won't be able to come up with a nuclear weapon, then we'll leave," he said. "Whether we have a deal or not, it's irrelevant."
Pressed on his timeline for ending the war, Trump speculated that it could be "two or three weeks."
The president also again seemed to indicate that the Strait of Hormuz will be left for other nations to handle after the U.S. leaves.
"If France or some other country wants to get oil or gas, they'll go up through the Strait and -- Hormuz Strait -- they'll go right up there and they'll be able to fend for themselves. I think it would be very safe, actually, but we have nothing to do with that," Trump said.
-ABC News' Meghan Mistry, Nicholas Kerr and Michelle Stoddart
One suspect involved in the abduction of American journalist Shelly Kittleson was arrested on Tuesday, the Interior Ministry of Iraq confirmed Tuesday, adding that efforts to locate her continue.
In another statement the ministry shared details of their pursuit which resulted in the seizure of a car belonging to the kidnappers.
A car overturned while kidnappers were trying to escape and the security forces arrested one of the suspects, according to the ministry.
-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian, Bader Katy and Ghazi Balkiz
The U.S. mission to Saudi Arabia is tracking “reports of threats against locations where American citizens gather," according to an updated security alert.
"We advise U.S. citizens that hotels and other gathering points including U.S. businesses and U.S. educational institutions may be potential targets,” the alert said.
The U.S. embassy in Riyadh is continuing to direct American government employees remaining in the country to shelter in place. Non-emergency U.S. personnel were ordered to depart on March 8.
-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston
