Trump says we're 'blowing up the whole country' if Iran doesn't make deal in 48 hours

Two C-130 aircraft were lost during the operation, an official said.

Last Updated: April 6, 2026, 1:24 AM EDT

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.

Apr 01, 2026, 3:54 PM EDT

Iran will not agree to a temporary ceasefire only a permanent end, Iranian official says

Iran said it will not agree to a temporary ceasefire, calling instead for a complete end to the war across the region. Iran also wants strong guarantees that fighting will not happen again, along with compensation for damage caused to its people, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Al Jazeera Tuesday.


Araghchi said there is little trust between Iran and its opponents, and that serious changes would be needed before any talks could move forward. He added that Iran has not yet decided whether it will enter negotiations.


Araghchi also criticized the U.S. for using deadlines and threats, saying that approach has made tensions worse.


On shipping, he said the Strait of Hormuz is partly controlled by Iran and Oman, and that ships from countries at war with Iran would not be allowed to pass. Other ships can still use the route.

Apr 01, 2026, 3:23 PM EDT

White House reiterates US objectives in Iran ahead of Trump's address to the nation

The White House has issued a release detailing the administration's reasoning for the war hours before President Donald Trump is set to address the nation about the Iran war.

"Tonight, President Donald J. Trump will address the nation on Operation Epic Fury — a decisive campaign of American strength that is systematically dismantling the Iranian regime’s ability to threaten the United States and the free world," the White House said.

"Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. military is executing this mission with unmatched power and precision. From day one, the objectives have been clear and unwavering: obliterate Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and production capability, annihilate its navy, sever its support for terrorist proxies, and ensure the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism never acquires a nuclear weapon," the White House said.

Since the war started, the Trump and his top aides have consistently pointed those four objectives for the war.

Apr 01, 2026, 1:08 PM EDT

Trump expected to give operational update on war in evening address, White House official says

President Donald Trump will give an “operational update on the progress of Operation Epic Fury” during his remarks to the nation at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, a White House official told ABC News.

Trump will reiterate the two to three week timetable for concluding the operation, the official said.

Trump will “highlight” the military’s success in achieving its goals, including destroying Iran’s ballistic missiles, annihilating their Navy, ensure terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region, and guarantee Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon, the official said.

-ABC News' Selina Wang

Apr 01, 2026, 12:48 PM EDT

Iranian official denies Trump ceasefire claim, calls it ‘false and baseless’

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Wednesday denied President Donald Trump’s claim that the country’s president had requested a ceasefire, calling it “false and baseless,” state TV reported.

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