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Iran live updates: Trump says Iran 'informed' the US that it's in a 'state of collapse'

Trump said Iran is asking the U.S. to lift the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

Last Updated: April 28, 2026, 1:35 PM EDT

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

Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan earlier this month failed to reach a peace deal.

Trump later announced the open-ended extension of the ceasefire and the continuation of the blockade until Iran's proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded "one way or the other."

1 hour and 45 minutes ago

Israel will treat southern Lebanon 'just like Gaza,' Israeli defense minister says

Israel will continue to destroy terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon "just like in Gaza,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday.

Israeli tanks and military vehicles drive along the road between destroyed houses in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel, on April 25, 2026.
Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to destroy every terror infrastructure in the security zone up to the yellow line, below and above ground, just like in Gaza,” Katz said.

"The IDF has now destroyed an underground terror infrastructure in Qantara, Lebanon, in a huge explosion, inside the new security zone," Katz said.

A ceasefire has in place since April 16 but strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon have continued. Hezbollah has also continued to target Israeli troop positions in southern Lebanon.

-ABC News’ Dorit Long

1 hour and 59 minutes ago

Iran openly threatening bigger response if attacked again, Iranian military spokesperson says

Iran signaled Tuesday that it is not standing down in its dealings with the United States amid the war.

Iran said it does not consider the war over. Despite the ceasefire, Iran said it is actively updating targets, continuing training, and producing and upgrading weapons. "Conditions remain those of wartime," Mohammad Akraminia, Iranian Army spokesman, said on Tuesday.

Akraminia said Iran's response to future attacks from the U.S. would be severe.

"We have many cards we have not yet played. We possess new arenas of war, new tools, and new methods of fighting based on the experiences of the two previous wars. We have many cards we have not yet played. We possess new arenas of war, new tools, and new methods of fighting based on the experiences of the two previous wars. We can certainly respond to the enemy more decisively and more crushingly," he said. "We can certainly respond to the enemy more decisively and more crushingly."

An Iranian flag in Tehran, Iran, April 27, 2026.
Majid Asgaripour/Reuters

-ABC News' Desiree Adib

10:08 AM EDT

Trump says Iran 'informed' the US that it's in a 'state of collapse'

President Donald Trump wrote, without citing evidence, on social media on Tuesday that “Iran has just informed us that they are in a ‘State of Collapse.’”

Trump said Iran is asking for the U.S. to lift the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as possible.”

Trump added that this alleged request from Iran comes as the nation tries “o figure out their leadership situation,” which he said he “believe[s] they will be able to do!”

Trump has repeatedly expressed mixed messages about Iran’s leadership, insisting that regime change has occurred, while also claiming that the U.S. does not know who Iran’s leaders are.

-ABC News’ Emily Chang

6:41 AM EDT

Rubio says competing 'hardliner' factions in Iran complicating talks

Speaking to Fox News in an interview published on Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that competing groups of "hardliners" in Iran are complicating stalled peace talks with the U.S.

"They're all hardliners in Iran. But there are hardliners who understand they have to run a country and an economy and there are hardliners that are completely motivated by theology," Rubio said.

A man carries an Iranian flag in Sadeghyeh Square in Tehran on April 27, 2026.
Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images

"The hardliners that are motivated by theology are not just the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] officials, but obviously the supreme leader and the council that surrounds him," Rubio continued.

"And then you've got the political class -- the foreign minister, the president, the speaker, the majlis, these guys -- they're hardliners too, but they also understand the country has to have an economy. People have to eat. They have to figure out a way to pay salaries in their government," Rubio said.

"Unfortunately, the hardliners, with an apocalyptic vision of the future, have the ultimate power in that country," Rubio added.

-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian and Joe Simonetti

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