Iran live updates: IRGC says Strait of Hormuz will 'never' revert to pre-war state

Two U.S. jets and two helicopters were hit by Iranian fire on Friday.

ByDavid Brennan, Emily Shapiro, Meredith Deliso, Jon Haworth, and Nadine El-Bawab ABCNews logo
Last updated: Monday, April 6, 2026 2:58PM GMT
2nd US airman rescued days after fighter jet shot down in Iran

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.

ByLuis Martinez ABCNews logo
Apr 01, 2026, 11:51 PM GMT

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.

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.

ByMariam Khan ABCNews logo
Apr 01, 2026, 11:30 PM GMT

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.

Vice President JD Vance speaks at The Power House, March 13, 2026 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Vice President JD Vance speaks at The Power House, March 13, 2026 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

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.

ABCNews logo
Apr 01, 2026, 8:49 PM GMT

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.

ABCNews logo
Apr 01, 2026, 8:00 PM GMT

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.