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Trump criticized the reluctance of allied nations to join the war in Iran.
Last Updated: April 1, 2026, 7:54 PM 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.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among those killed in Tehran on the first day of strikes, with his son Mojtaba Khamenei later chosen to succeed him. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional U.S. bases and multiple Gulf nations. Iran is also attempting to block some shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel is also intensifying its long-running strike campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and expanding its ground operations in the south of the country.
Watch special coverage on Nightline, "War with Iran," each night on ABC and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
Key Headlines
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Here's how the news is developing.
48 minutes ago
Trump, NATO chief to meet at White House next week
President Donald Trump will meet with NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House next week, a White House official confirmed.
The meeting comes as Trump's criticism of the alliance has reached a fever pitch. Earlier Wednesday, the president said in a phone interview with Reuters that he is "absolutely" considering trying to withdraw the U.S. from NATO.
The president's current frustration stems from European nations who did not respond to his calls for help in securing the Strait of Hormuz amid the war in Iran.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gives a press conference about NATO's general annual report in Brussels on March 26, 2026.
Nicolas Tucat/AFP via Getty Images
Trump and Rutte have enjoyed a warm relationship in the past. Rutte visited the White House in 2025, shortly after Trump was sworn back into office and the leaders showered each other in praise.
-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart
3 hours and 33 minutes ago
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.
President Donald J Trump gives remarks during an executive order signing event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, March 31, 2026.
Alex Brandon/AP
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.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez
3 hours and 46 minutes ago
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.
Chris Seward/AP
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.
-ABC News' Mariam Khan
3:54 PM EDT
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.
