Trump calls Strait of Hormuz 'something that we don't need'

Trump told reporters that he is talking to countries about policing the Strait.

Last Updated: March 15, 2026, 9:09 PM EDT

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israel strikes attack targeting military and government sites, officials said.

Iranian state television confirmed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among those killed in Tehran on the first day of strikes. His son Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen on Sunday to succeed him.

Iran is responding to the operation with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional U.S. bases and multiple Gulf nations. Israel is also intensifying its long-running strike campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.

(Read previous Iran live updates here.)

Watch special coverage on Nightline, "War with Iran," each night on ABC and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.

Mar 13, 2026, 1:57 PM EDT

US offering up to $10M reward for information on top Iranian officials

The U.S. government is offering a "reward of up to $10 million for information on the key leaders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its component branches," according to the Rewards for Justice website.

The U.S. is looking for information on 10 officials, including Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Supreme Leader Office Ali Asghar Hejazi and Director and Minister of Intelligence and Security Esmail Khatib.

It is also seeking information on unnamed individuals holding key positions, including secretary of the Defense Council, the IRGC commander and advisor to the supreme leader.

Mar 13, 2026, 11:51 AM EDT

2,200 Marine unit, 3 warships ordered to head to Middle East

A Marine expeditionary unit with 2,200 Marines aboard three U.S. Navy amphibious ships is being ordered to the Middle East, according to two U.S. officials.

The 31st MEU is permanently deployed to Japan and operates in the INDO-PACOM region, but it is now being ordered to head to the Middle East.

Its deployment does not mean that the unit is going to be used as a ground force for use in Iran, but it offers land, amphibious and aviation assets that can be available to military commanders if needed.

This particular MEU also includes a squadron of F-35 fighter jets and a squadron of MV-22 tilt rotor Osprey aircraft.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Mar 13, 2026, 11:42 AM EDT

More Israeli troops heading north, IDF says

The Israeli military is moving more troops to the north ahead of a planned expansion of operations in Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces announced Friday.

The troop movement described as, "part of strengthening readiness for various offensive and defensive scenarios," the statement said.

"The buildup and deployment of troops along the northern border will be conducted using additional regular units, including a division, brigades, and engineering battalions," the statement said.

-ABC News' Dorit Long

Mar 13, 2026, 9:18 AM EDT

US has 'range of options' to deal with nuclear materials, Hegseth says

Denying Iran nuclear weapons remains a "core mission" for the U.S. in its military operation and it has a "range of options," Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said at a Pentagon press briefing Friday.

"The president's kept his eye focused on nuclear capabilities. And I will say we have a range of options, up to and including Iran deciding that they will give those up, which of course, we would welcome," Hegseth said.

"I would never tell this group or the world what we're willing to do or how far we're willing to go, but we have options for sure," Hegseth said.

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