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 04, 2026, 11:47 AM EDT

Iranian projectiles continue to target Israel, Gulf countries

Iran continued to target Israel and Gulf countries with dozens of drones and missiles on Saturday, authorities announced.

Air defenses in the United Arab Emirates "engaged" 23 ballistic missiles and 56 drones launched from Iran, the country's ministry of defense said in a post on X.

Kuwait's armed forces responded to 19 drones and eight ballistic missiles during the past 24 hours, the Kuwaiti Army General Staff headquarters said in a post on X.

An Israeli soldier looks at a tail section of a ballistic missile from Iran, that is sticked out of the ground near a cowshed in a Jewish settlement in the northern Jordan Valley, April 3, 2026 in Jordan Valley, West Bank.
Amir Levy/Getty Images

Eight drones were added to the daily tally from the Bahrain Defense Force on social media Saturday.

Damage to buildings and other property was reported at several locations in Israel after missile attacks Saturday, Israeli officials said.

Apr 04, 2026, 11:33 AM EDT

US agents detain niece, grandniece of Iran’s Qasem Soleimani after Rubio revokes green card: State Dept

Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked the green cards of the niece and grandniece of the deceased IRGC Major Gen. Qasem Soleimani and they are now in ICE custody pending removal from the U.S., according to the State Department.

Rubio said Soleimani's niece and grand niece lived "lavishly" in the U.S.

"Afshar is the niece of deceased Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani. She is also an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime who celebrated attacks on Americans and referred to our country as the 'Great Satan,'" Rubio said in a post on X.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks with ABC News on Good Morning America, March 30, 2026.
ABC News

"This week, I terminated both Afshar and her daughter's legal status and they are now in ICE custody, pending removal from the United States. The Trump Administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes," Rubio said.

The State Department did not announce any charges against Afshar or her daughter.

Soleimani was assassinated during President Donald Trump's first administration in January 2020 during a targeted strike while visiting Iraq.

At the time, U.S. officials justified the Soleimani strike saying it was necessary to stop an "imminent attack."

Apr 04, 2026, 11:09 AM EDT

Iran announces new air defense system, claims it was used to shoot down US fighter jet

Iran announced it now has a new air defense system, and claimed that was used to target the U.S. plane Iran shot down on Friday, the spokesperson of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters joint military command said on Iranian State TV.


The spokesperson said the country would "certainly gain full control" over its airspace.

A US aircraft, followed by two helicopters fly over the town of Zaras in the southern Iran's Khuzestan province, April 3, 2026.
AFP via Getty Images
Apr 04, 2026, 10:59 AM EDT

Trump says Iran has 48 hours to open the Strait of Hormuz or face more strikes

President Donald Trump reiterated his previously-delayed threat to strike Iran’s energy sites if it does not open the Strait of Hormuz— saying it now has 48 hours to comply.

“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” Trump wrote on social media.

He added, “Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!”

President Donald Trump arrives from the Blue Room to speak about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House, April 1, 2026, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP

Trump said on March 26 that he would delay attacks on Iran's energy infrastructure by an additional 10 days in hopes of making a deal.

He issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran the weekend before, saying he would “obliterate” the country’s power plants if it did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

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