Trump Addresses Ongoing U.S.-Iran Conflict, Describes Next Military Phase | Live Updates

By Stephen Sorace, Emma Bussey, Michael Sinkewicz, Amanda Macias

*Fox News Digital*

*April 2, 2026*

The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, with initial strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces targeting Iranian sites amid aims including regime change, entered its 32nd day as President Donald Trump delivered a primetime address on Wednesday. Trump stated that Iran is "no longer a threat" and outlined plans for U.S. forces to conduct strikes against the country "very hard" over the next two to three weeks. He described the objective as returning Iran "back to the Stone Ages." U.S. and Israeli strikes have resulted in at least several hundred reported Iranian military and civilian deaths as of early April 2026, according to reports from outlets including The Guardian.

Iranian Foreign Minister Responds to Trump's Remarks on Infrastructure Strikes

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to President Trump's address on Thursday via posts on X, questioning the U.S. strategy and stating that attacks on infrastructure would increase tensions. Araghchi referenced Trump's comment about returning Iran to the Stone Ages, writing: "There's one striking difference between the present and the Stone Age: there was no oil or gas being pumped in the Middle East back then. Are POTUS and Americans who put him in office sure that they want to turn back the clock?"

Araghchi also addressed a separate post by Trump on Truth Social, in which the president claimed a U.S. airstrike had destroyed Iran's "B-1 bridge," described by Trump as the country's largest, and urged Tehran to negotiate. Trump shared a video purporting to show the strike. The destruction has not been independently verified by third-party sources. Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported damage to the B-1 bridge, located along a central route, though the extent remains unclear. The Guardian cited Iranian media and local reports in stating that the strike killed 8 people and injured 95 others.

In another X post, Araghchi stated that strikes on civilian structures, including unfinished bridges, would not lead to Iranian surrender. He described such actions as indicating "defeat and moral collapse of an enemy in disarray," adding that damaged infrastructure would be rebuilt stronger while U.S. standing would suffer permanent harm. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth echoed Trump's phrasing on X, stating "Back to the Stone Age."

FIFA Meets Iranian Officials Amid World Cup Uncertainty

FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Iranian soccer federation officials in Turkey on Thursday, following the conflict's onset on February 28. Iran qualified for the 2026 World Cup in March 2025, but officials have raised concerns about travel restrictions to the U.S., potential match relocations to Mexico, or other disruptions. The Iranian federation's statement after the meeting did not address relocating games, according to The Associated Press.

Infantino expressed FIFA's support for Iran's preparations, though the country's domestic league—where most national team players participate—has been suspended due to the conflict. Organizers in Arizona reported that preparations for the tournament, including security measures, remain on schedule.

USS Gerald R. Ford Returns to Middle East After Fire Repairs

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy's largest aircraft carrier, is returning to operations in the Middle East following repairs for a fire, according to reports. The carrier underwent five days of maintenance and resupply in Croatia after a fire in a laundry unit. An investigation into the fire's cause is ongoing, and two sailors received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, per U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Navy described the carrier as "poised for full mission tasking" upon its return. The Gerald R. Ford had departed the Red Sea for refueling in Crete before proceeding to Croatia on March 28. It had been supporting Operation Epic Fury alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group. The USS George H.W. Bush is also deployed in the region.

Iranian IRGC Reports Strikes on Data Centers in Dubai and Bahrain

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated it attacked an Oracle data center in Dubai, according to Iranian state media. The IRGC-affiliated Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported the action as retaliation for strikes on Iran. The Jerusalem Post cited the claim without independent confirmation.

Separately, security sources reported two drones targeting a U.S. diplomatic facility near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq on Thursday. These incidents have not been independently verified.

Houthis Claim Missile Launch at Israel; IDF Reports Interception

Yemen's Houthi group, which receives support from Iran, claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile launch targeting Israel on Thursday. The group stated the missile was aimed at "vital Israeli enemy targets" in the Tel Aviv area as part of its ongoing operations.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that a single missile activated air raid sirens in Jerusalem before being intercepted. The Times of Israel covered both the Houthi claim and the IDF statement; the launch's success remains unconfirmed beyond these reports.

IDF Reports Killing Iranian Missile Unit Commander

The IDF announced on Thursday that it killed Mokarram Azimi, a commander in an Iranian surface-to-surface missile unit based in western Iran. The IDF stated Azimi was responsible for multiple missile launches toward Israel and that three battalion commanders from the same unit were also killed in the operation. The military described them as key personnel in projectile launches against Israeli territory.

"We will continue to pursue all those who fire missiles at Israel—launchers, missiles, and personnel," the IDF statement said, according to Iran International. The claims have not been independently verified.

Russia and Iran Discuss Strait of Hormuz in Phone Call

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday, at Iran's initiative, to address the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Russia's Foreign Ministry statement indicated discussions on bilateral relations, United Nations Security Council matters related to the strait, and broader Middle East developments, per Iran International and Russian news agencies.

Iran Warns of Escalated Strikes Following Trump Address

An Iranian military spokesperson, Ebrahim Zolfaqari of the Khatam al-Anbiya central headquarters, stated on Thursday that Iran would pursue "crushing, more destructive" attacks against the U.S. and Israel until they experience "permanent regret and surrender." The remarks, reported by Tasnim News Agency and cited by Euronews, followed Trump's address in which he announced intensified U.S. actions over the next two to three weeks.

Austria and Switzerland Deny U.S. Overflight Requests on Neutrality Grounds

Austria rejected U.S. requests for military overflights since the conflict's start, citing its neutrality policy established in 1955, according to a Defense Ministry spokesperson. Colonel Michael Bauer confirmed that such requests from warring parties are denied consistently, per Euronews. Austria is surrounded by NATO states.

Switzerland, another neutral country, similarly refused airspace access requests, invoking its neutrality policy.

Israel Strikes Iranian Mobile Command Centers and Missile Sites

Israel's Air Force (IAF) reported strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, including mobile command centers concealed in train cars and a ballistic missile storage site near Tabriz. The IAF stated these were part of "Operation Roar of the Lion," during which hundreds of Iranian headquarters were targeted and rendered inoperable.

The IAF described the actions as following extensive strikes in Tehran on an IRGC Ground Forces base and mobile headquarters. Iranian forces had reportedly begun using train cars for command operations, which the IDF then struck. The claims originate from an IAF statement on X and have not been independently verified.

UK Leads 41-Nation Push to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

The United Kingdom accused Iran of disrupting the Strait of Hormuz, with diplomats from 41 countries discussing measures to reopen the waterway on Thursday. The U.S. did not attend the virtual meeting. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the effort as demonstrating "international determination."

Cooper stated that Iran had affected an international shipping route, leading to oil and food price spikes impacting global households and businesses, per The Associated Press. The talks included coordination with the U.N. International Maritime Organization to release 2,000 trapped ships and 20,000 seafarers.

Since February 28, 23 attacks on vessels in the strait have been reported, with 11 crew members killed, according to shipping intelligence firm Lloyd’s List.

Additional Context on Conflict Developments

President Trump's Truth Social post reiterated the bridge strike claim, stating: "The biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again — Much more to follow! IT IS TIME FOR IRAN TO MAKE A DEAL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, AND THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF WHAT STILL COULD BECOME A GREAT COUNTRY!" Fox News Digital has not independently confirmed the bridge's destruction.

The conflict's human toll includes reports of several hundred Iranian deaths from U.S. and Israeli strikes, with specific incidents like the bridge strike cited by The Guardian as causing 8 fatalities and 95 injuries. United Nations officials have called for de-escalation to halt what they describe as a "spiral of death and destruction." Both sides have issued unverified claims of military successes, including U.S. and Israeli reports of degrading Iranian capabilities and Iranian assertions of retaliatory strikes.

Iranian responses have emphasized resilience and escalation risks, while U.S. and Israeli statements focus on neutralizing threats. Diplomatic efforts, such as those involving Russia and the 41-nation group, continue amid ongoing military actions.

*(This live updates article will be refreshed with new developments. Word count: 2348)*