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

PHOTO: Rocket trails are seen in the sky above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks on April 6, 2026.
2:15
Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images
Trump says Iran 'better not' collect Strait of Hormuz tolls
By David Brennan, Emily Shapiro, Meredith Deliso, Jon Haworth, Nadine El-Bawab
Last Updated: April 1, 2026, 9:09 PM

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.

Key Headlines

  • Trump says if Iran fails to make a deal in 48 hours 'we're blowing up the whole country'
  • Trump makes profane threat about Strait of Hormuz after pilot rescue
  • US forces destroyed 2 stuck C-130s during rescue mission, official says
  • CIA played role in F-15 crew member rescue, administration official says
Here's how the news is developing.

Apr 01, 2026 9:09 PM

Trump briefed on ground operations, no decision made: Source

President Donald Trump was recently briefed on a variety of ground troop options that included the potential seizure of Iran's highly enriched uranium and Kharg Island, a source familiar with the briefing told ABC News.

No final decision about whether to choose to use ground forces has been made by President Trump, the source said.

PHOTO: President Donald J Trump gives remarks during an executive order signing event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, March 31, 2026.
Alex Brandon/AP
President Donald J Trump gives remarks during an executive order signing event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, March 31, 2026.
Alex Brandon/AP


Seizing the highly enriched uranium would involve a special operations force, likely a large force, as ABC News has previously reported.

Any forces that might be involved in seizing the uranium would also have undergone specialized and regular training for such a mission.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez


Apr 01, 2026 8:56 PM

Vance engaging with Pakistani mediators over Iran deal: Sources

The U.S. and Iran are discussing a potential deal that would involve a ceasefire in exchange for Iran re-opening the Strait of Hormuz, sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations confirmed to ABC News.

Vice President JD Vance passed a message to Iran via Pakistani intermediaries as recently as Tuesday, a U.S. official and a Pakistani official confirmed to ABC.

PHOTO: Vice President JD Vance speaks at The Power House, March 13, 2026 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Chris Seward/AP
Vice President JD Vance speaks at The Power House, March 13, 2026 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Chris Seward/AP


At Trump's direction, Vance signaled privately that Trump was open to a ceasefire as long as certain U.S. demands were met, including the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. official said.

The vice president's involvement was first reported by Reuters.

Vance also delivered a stern message that President Trump was "impatient" and there would be growing pressure on Iranian infrastructure unless the Iranians made a deal, the U.S. source said.

-ABC News' Mariam Khan


Apr 01, 2026 7:56 PM

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 7:26 PM

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 02, 2026 2:48 PM

Trump reiterates calls for NATO to help in Strait of Hormuz

President Trump reiterated his calls for NATO allies to help patrol the Strait of Hormuz, telling Politico, “They gotta get guts and go in.”

“Just send your ships up there and enjoy it," the president told Politico in a phone interview after his evening address Wednesday.

Asked why he didn’t outright mention NATO in his address last night, Trump claimed he did so “indirectly.”

“Well, I did indirectly. I talked about the people that use the -- it wasn't a NATO speech, it was a Middle East speech, but I did indirectly. I talked about the Strait, they weren't there,” Trump said.

During his address Wednesday night, Trump repeated his claim that the U.S. doesn’t depend on oil from the Strait like other countries do, saying “we’re there to help our allies.”


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