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.

ByDavid Brennan, Emily Shapiro, Meredith Deliso, Jon Haworth, and Nadine El-Bawab
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.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Mar 31, 2026, 4:12 AM EDT

China confirms Pakistan FM visit to discuss Iran

The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar plans to visit the country on Tuesday to hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said during a press conference on Tuesday that the two ministers are expected to "step up strategic communication and coordination on the situation in Iran and other international and regional issues of mutual interest, jointly call for peace and justice and make new efforts to help end the conflict and bring about peace and stability in the region."

-ABC News' Karson Yiu

Mar 31, 2026, 4:01 AM EDT

CENTCOM commander visits Israel

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Adm. Brad Cooper visited Israel from March 29-30, CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Adm. Cooper met with Israel Defense Forces chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir to discuss "progress made during ongoing operations to eliminate Iran's ability to project power in meaningful ways outside its borders," while emphasizing the importance of the U.S.-Israeli defense partnership, Hawkins said.

Adm. Cooper also visited with U.S. servicemembers during his trip to Israel, recognizing more than 40 service members for "exceptional performance" during the opening weeks of Operation Epic Fury, the statement said.

A screengrab from a video released March 30, 2026, shows what the U.S. Central Command says is an Iranian aircraft at an unknown location right before being struck.
Centcom Via X/CENTCOM via X via Reuters

-ABC News' Alex Ederson

Mar 31, 2026, 3:28 AM EDT

Missile attack reported in central Israel

Israeli authorities reported a missile attack in central Israel on Tuesday.

The Israel Defense Forces said in a post to X that military emergency responders had been dispatched "to scenes where reports of impacts have been received in the center of the country."

Israel's national emergency service, the Magen David Adom, said its teams were "on scene in central Israel following a missile attack. Minor injuries reported."

Smoke rises after debris from an incoming projectile that was intercepted fell on Tel Aviv's seaside promenade, on March 31, 2026.
Ohad Zwigenberg/AP
Mar 31, 2026, 2:41 AM EDT

Fire on attacked Kuwaiti tanker extinguished, Dubai authorities say

Authorities in Dubai said emergency responders extinguished a fire involving a Kuwaiti oil tanker in the emirate's waters, which burned for several hours following a drone attack.

The incident began after a drone struck the vessel, identified as Anchorage "E." Maritime firefighting teams were deployed to bring the fire under control, the Dubai Media Office said in posts to social media.

Damage to the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi crude oil tanker, following a reported strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, March 31, 2026.
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation/via Reuters

Officials said no injuries were reported and all 24 crew members aboard the tanker were accounted for.

-ABC News' Jason Volack and Joe Simonetti

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