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 05, 2026, 12:45 AM EDT

'WE GOT HIM!' Trump says after airman rescue from Iran

President Donald Trump, in a post on his social media platform, hailed the rescue of the second crew member from an F-15E fighter jet downed over Iran, calling it "one of the "most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History" and writing, "WE GOT HIM!"

In the post, Trump said the operation unfolded over several hours and involved dozens of aircraft. He said the rescued crew member, a weapon system officer, is a colonel who sustained injuries "but he will be just fine," Trump said, adding he is "SAFE and SOUND!"

The post provides some details about the roughly 48-hour ordeal.

"This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue," Trump wrote.

Trump said the earlier rescue of the F-15E pilot was not confirmed on Friday to not jeopardize the rescue mission for the weapon system officer.

"This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory," Trump said in the post. "WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!"

Apr 05, 2026, 12:13 AM EDT

2nd US airman rescued from Iran after F-15 shot down

The second crew member aboard the F-15E shot down over Iran on Friday has been rescued by U.S. military forces who conducted a rescue mission earlier on Saturday night, two U.S. officials confirmed to ABC News.

The crewmember who was rescued was the weapon systems officer aboard the two-seater aircraft that was downed by Iranian fire on Friday, according to another U.S. official.

The pilot of the F-15E was rescued on Friday by U.S. search and rescue personnel.

Two Black Hawk helicopters that were part of the mission also took Iranian fire as they attempted the rescue mission on Friday. There were injuries to some of the crewmembers, but they were able to return to safety.

An A-10 Warthog aircraft that was providing close air support to the rescue mission was also hit by Iranian fire, but managed to make its way back to Kuwait where the pilot ejected safely before the plane crashed.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Apr 04, 2026, 6:25 PM EDT

Trump posts video of 'massive' strike, saying the attack killed 'Many of Iran’s Military Leaders'

President Donald Trump posted a video to social media on Saturday appearing to show what he called a "massive" strike on Tehran, Iran, with the president saying the attack terminated "Many of Iran's Military Leaders."

"Many of Iran's Military Leaders, who have led them poorly and unwisely, are terminated, along with much else, with this massive strike in Tehran!" Trump posted on social media along with the video.

Trump's post did not include any details about when the strikes happened or specific targets. ABC News has not independently verified the authenticity of the video.

The roughly minute-long video depicts a mostly dark view of what Trump said was Tehran, until a bright cloud appears with at least four explosions seconds apart.

This post comes as the president has not directly responded to Iran's attacks on U.S. aircraft on Friday.

-ABC News' Isabella Murray

Apr 04, 2026, 3:31 PM EDT

IDF issues 'urgent warning' for Syrian-Lebanese border crossing area ahead of intended strikes

The Israel Defense Forces on Saturday night issued an "urgent warning" to anyone in the crossing area of the Syrian-Lebanese border, saying the army "intends to launch airstrikes on the crossing in the near future."

"For your safety, we urge all those near the crossing and anyone in the area marked in red on the map to evacuate immediately," the IDF said in the notice.

The IDF claims that Hezbollah uses the crossing "for military purposes and for smuggling weapons."

-ABC News' Ghazi Balkiz and Dana Savir

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