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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: March 31, 2026, 7:39 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.

Mar 31, 2026 7:39 PM

State Department 'tracking reports of threats' against gathering spots for US citizens in Saudi Arabia

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


Mar 31, 2026 6:53 PM

Nearly 350 American troops wounded in Iran

At least 348 U.S. troops have been wounded in the war with Iran.

Of those wounded, 315 have been listed as “returned to duty.” In some cases, that designation reflects a change in medical status, no longer requiring in-patient care, rather than a full recovery and some troops may still be dealing with significant injuries.

The data shows nearly 11 troops are wounded each day on average.

-ABC News' Steven Beynon


Mar 31, 2026 5:10 PM

IRGC issues warning to US companies it says were used in assassinations

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has issued a warning to American companies in the Middle East, saying they are "considered legitimate targets."

The companies named by the IRGC include Cisco, HP, Intel, Oracle, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, IBM, Dell, Planter, Nvidia, J.P. Morgan, Tesla, GE, Spire Solutions, G42 and Boeing.

"The IRGC warns the ruling regime of aggressive America: You ignored our repeated warnings about the necessity to stop terrorist operations, and today, in your terrorist attacks and those of your Israeli allies, several Iranian citizens were martyred," the IRGC said in a statement in Farsi.

"Since the main element in designing and tracking assassination targets are American ICT and AI companies, in response to this terrorist operation, from now on the main institutions involved in terrorist operations will be considered legitimate targets," the IRGC said.



Mar 31, 2026 4:46 PM

Trump thinks Strait will 'automatically open' when US leaves

President Donald Trump said he believes the Strait of Hormuz will “automatically open” when the U.S. exits, he said in a phone interview with the New York Post on Tuesday.

“We’re not going to be there too much longer. We’re obliterating the s--- out of them right now, it’s a total obliteration,” he told the Post.

Asked about the Wall Street Journal report that indicated he was considering ending the war without opening the Strait of Hormuz, Trump sidestepped but argued that the Strait will “automatically open” when the U.S. leaves Iran.

PHOTO: A police speed boat patrols the port as oil tankers and high speed crafts sit anchored at Muscat Anchorage near the Strait of Hormuz, March 30, 2026 in Muscat, Oman. r
Elke Scholiers/Getty Images
A police speed boat patrols the port as oil tankers and high speed crafts sit anchored at Muscat Anchorage near the Strait of Hormuz, March 30, 2026 in Muscat, Oman.
Elke Scholiers/Getty Images

“I don’t think about it, to be honest,” Trump said, according to the NY Post. “My sole function was to make sure that they don’t have a nuclear weapon. They’re not going to have a nuclear weapon. When we leave the strait will automatically open.”

Trump continued to shrug off responsibility to other countries to open the Strait.

“Well, I think it’ll automatically open, but my attitude is, I’ve obliterated the country. They have no strength left, and let the countries that are using the strait, let them go and open it… because I would imagine whoever’s controlling the oil will be very happy to open the strait," he said.

PHOTO: Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026.
Altaf Qadri/AP
Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026.
Altaf Qadri/AP

His remarks come despite his threats on Monday to bomb power plants, oil wells, Kharg Island and possibly, all of the country’s desalinization plants if the Strait of Hormuz did not “immediately” open.

“If for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately 'Open for Business,' we will conclude our lovely 'stay' in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!)" Trump wrote on social media.


Apr 04, 2026 3:33 PM

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.

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


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