Summary

  • This page contains very strong, uncensored language that some may find offensive

  • US President Donald Trump has issued an expletive-laden threat against Iran's infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened

  • Trump says "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one" in Iran if the key shipping lane is not reopened

  • He reiterates his earlier threat to unleash "hell" if the country does not meet his 6 April deadline - previous deadlines given by the president have shifted and Trump tells US media there's a "good chance" of a deal being reached

  • The key battleground between the two countries may now be at sea, Orla Guerin writes, as she reports seeing ships at anchor close to the mouth of the strait

  • One Iranian tells the BBC: "It feels like we're sinking deeper into a swamp...what can we do as ordinary people? We can't do anything. We can't stop [Trump]"

  • Meanwhile, the US president says an American crew member rescued after a fighter jet was shot down over Iran is "SAFE and SOUND" - here's what we know

  1. Trump threatens Iranian infrastructure, after US airman rescuedpublished at 22:42 BST 5 April

    US President Donald Trump speaks during an executive order signing in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026Image source, Getty Images

    US President Donald Trump gave an expletive-laden threat to Iranian leaders on Sunday that they will be “living in hell” come Tuesday, if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.

    Trump later told US media that his administration is in "deep negotiations" with Iran and there's a "good chance" a deal will be reached on Monday - but reiterated his threat, telling Fox News he is considering “blowing everything up and taking over the oil” if a deal to end the war is not reached quickly.

    Iranians have told the BBC of their fear following the US president's comments - one in the capital Tehran said: "What can we do as ordinary people? We can’t do anything. We can’t stop him."

    This all came shortly after the US announced it had successfully rescued the second crew member of an F-15E fighter jet that had been shot down over Iran - more on that rescue mission here.

    We're ending our live coverage - you can read more here:

  2. Watch: 'We are at the edge of a battlefield' - BBC reports near Strait of Hormuzpublished at 22:28 BST 5 April

    The BBC's senior international correspondent Orla Guerin has travelled to the edge of the Strait of Hormuz in Oman, which Iran has put a stranglehold on since the war broke out.

    The critical artery is normally used for 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.

    By leaving ships stranded in the waterway, Iran is reducing the global supply of oil, driving up prices and creating fear among consumers as well as amplifying pressure in the international community.

  3. Iranian media says 15 ships passed through Strait of Hormuz in past 24 hourspublished at 22:04 BST 5 April

    Ghoncheh Habibiazad
    Senior reporter, BBC Persian

    Iran's Fars news agency, which is affiliated to the country's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), says in the last 24 hours, 15 ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz "with permission from Iran".

    It says traffic is still 90% lower than before the start of the war.

    Some Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have repeatedly said that the vital shipping lane is not closed, but it is closed only to “enemy countries”.

    For example, yesterday Iran announced Iraq is exempt from any restrictions it is imposing, according to the spokesman Iran's for Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarter.

    Meanwhile, Iranian officials and lawmakers have also raised the possibility of imposing transit fees or tolls on vessels using the strait.

    Earlier an aide at Iran’s President’s Office, says the Strait of Hormuz “will be reopened” when “a portion of transit tolls is used to compensate for all the damage caused” by the war.

  4. Analysis

    Complicated picture for conflict going forward after rescuepublished at 21:40 BST 5 April

    Bernd Debusmann Jr
    White House reporter

    Trump was swift to declare victory in the aftermath of the recovery of the second crew member of an F-15 that was downed over Iran, stating the operation proves “proves, once again, that we have achieved overwhelming air dominance and superiority”.

    Observers, however, paint a more complicated picture of what this means for the conflict going forward.

    While the mission was successful, the events of the last few days - in which two aircraft were downed and at least one helicopter hit by gunfire - highlight that threats to US aircraft and personnel remain.

    Several Washington sources tell me the loss of the aircraft and the complexity of the operation to recover the pilots could potentially dissuade Trump from any ground operation.

    On the other hand, the fact that US troops were able to enter a contested environment, hold it for hours, before escaping, may embolden him that an airborne or amphibious operation against targets in Iran stands a good chance of success.

  5. Analysis

    First confirmed downing of US jet in war will raise concerns it might not be the lastpublished at 21:07 BST 5 April

    Simi Jolaoso
    North America correspondent

    More now on the rescue of the missing US airman, after a fighter jet was shot down over Iran late last week.

    President Trump has hailed the rescue as a “miraculous” success.

    He cast it as further proof the US has achieved “overwhelming air dominance and superiority” over Iranian skies.

    He has previously claimed Iran couldn't "do a thing” about American aircraft operating over its territory - a claim echoed by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

    So while it is a victory for the US, the question still remains, how exactly was Iran able to shoot down the F-15 in the first place?

    Iran claimed the aircraft was brought down by its air defence systems and said it had “foiled” a subsequent US rescue mission.

    Reports suggest that aircraft involved in the rescue were damaged by small arms fire, while images appearing to show some of the wreckage have been circulated online - touting Iran’s efforts as a success.

    Either way, Friday's downing suggests Iran is still able to contest its skies, even if at a limited capacity.

    It is the first confirmed case of a US military aircraft being shot down over Iran in this war, and it’ll raise concerns that it may not be the last.

  6. UK downed 'multiple Iranian drones' overnight - MoDpublished at 20:36 BST 5 April

    RAF Typhoon FGR4 refuels at night from a Voyager Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) aircraft over water between Cyprus and Israel. Picture date: Friday March 27, 2026.Image source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    An RAF Typhoon refuelling over water between Cyprus and Israel, in a picture taken last month

    The UK's Royal Air Force downed "multiple Iranian drones" overnight, the Ministry of Defence says in an update.

    It says UK Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets continue their defensive missions over the Eastern Mediterranean, Jordan, Bahrain and the UAE, supported the RAF's Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft and Royal Navy Merlin and Wildcat helicopters.

    It adds that "force protection measures in the region continue to be at the highest levels" and that it is "continuing to work closely" with its allies.

  7. Oman says it has discussed Strait of Hormuz options with Iran, while UAE backs 'any US-led effort'published at 19:43 BST 5 April

    Oman says it has met with Iran to discuss options for "ensuring the smooth flow of transit" through the Strait of Hormuz.

    It says experts from both both sides "presented a number of visions and proposals" at the meeting, and it will now study these proposals.

    Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates is ready to "join any American-led effort" to "secure navigation" in the strait, according to presidential adviser Anwar Gargash.

    He adds that he believes Iran's targeting of its neighbours throughout the war has only solidified the US and Israel's position and influence in the Middle East.

  8. 'I'm so tired of everything' - Iranians react to Trump's threatpublished at 19:11 BST 5 April

    Ghoncheh Habibiazad
    Senior reporter, BBC Persian

    The research building of the Shahid Beheshti University, which was damaged by a strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, April 4, 2026Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Tehran has been subject to regular strikes since the war began on 28 February

    I've been speaking to residents in Iran's capital Tehran after US President Donald Trump's threat to hit Iranian infrastructure if the country doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz.

    “It feels like we’re sinking deeper into a swamp," one man in his 20s tells me. "What can we do as ordinary people? We can’t do anything. We can’t stop him."

    A woman in her 20s says her mother is "filling every bottle she can find in the house with water" in case the water supply is disrupted.

    "I’ve no idea what we’re going to do now. I think more and more people in Iran have realised that Trump doesn’t care about them at all. I hate him from the bottom of my heart, and those who support him too," she says.

    A man in his 20s tells me: "I’m so tired of everything... I’ve been stockpiling with my family, but I feel like if he wants to attack infrastructure, these efforts are pointless.”

  9. Watch: What Trump's threats could mean for the war in Iranpublished at 18:45 BST 5 April

  10. Iran's parliament speaker tells Trump to 'end this dangerous game'published at 18:40 BST 5 April

    Presidential candidate Mohammad Bagher GhalibafImage source, Reuters

    Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says Trump's "reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family".

    He adds: "Make no mistake: You won’t gain anything through war crimes."

    Ghalibaf accuses Trump of following orders from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and says "the only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game."

  11. 'What a revolting message' - Amnesty International head on Trump's threatpublished at 18:22 BST 5 April

    Secretary General of Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard, speaks at a press conferenceImage source, Reuters

    The secretary general of human rights group Amnesty International has responded to Trump's expletive-laden post, saying: "What a revolting message."

    In a post on X, Agnes Callamard says: "Iranian civilians will be the first to suffer from the destruction of power plants and bridges".

    "No more electricity, heating, or water; unable to flee the attacks. Potential cascading war crimes."

    It comes days after a group of more than 100 experts on international law signed an open letter expressing "profound concern" about what they see as serious violations of international law by the US, Israel and Iran in the war - more on that here.

    Responding to that report, the White House said Trump was making the entire region safer and dismissed what it described as "so-called experts".

  12. Centcom says strikes on Iran continue, as it confirms rescues following downing of jetpublished at 18:09 BST 5 April
    Breaking

    The US Central Command has confirmed the rescue of two Americans following the downing of a fighter jet on Thursday.

    In a statement it says: "On April 4, U.S. forces successfully completed the rescues of two American service members from Iran after their F-15E fighter jet was shot down April 2 during a combat mission.

    "The service members were safely recovered during separate search and rescue missions.

    "U.S. strikes into Iran continue as U.S. Central Command forces dismantle the Iranian regime’s ability to project power beyond its borders."

  13. Trump issues cryptic social media postpublished at 18:02 BST 5 April

    As we've been reporting, Donald Trump has issued an expletive-laden threat that Iran's infrastructure will be hit on Tuesday if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened.

    He had previously issued a deadline of Monday 6 April for Iran to make a deal.

    In a new post on his Truth Social platform, Trump writes: "Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!"

    That's 03:30 Tehran time on Wednesday (01:00 BST).

    It's not clear what Trump's social media post is referring to. The BBC has asked the White House to clarify.

  14. 'Good chance' of deal but threats to 'blow everything up' if not - what Trump has told US mediapublished at 17:46 BST 5 April

    Donald Trump pictured sitting in the White House. He wears a dark blue jacket, a white shirt and a red tie, and a US flag pin on his right lapel. Two US flags are stood behind him against a white and yellow patterned wall.Image source, Getty Images

    President Donald Trump has been speaking to a number of different US media outlets after threatening Iran's infrastructure if the country doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Here's what we've heard:

    • He told Axios that the US is "in deep negotiations" with Iran to make a deal. He says "there is a good chance, but if they don't make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there"
    • He similarly told Fox News there is a “good chance” a deal will be reached tomorrow, but he is considering “blowing everything up and taking over the oil” if a deal to end the war is not reached quickly - as we reported earlier
    • Trump told the Wall Street Journal that if Iran want to keep the strait closed "they’re going to lose every power plant and every other plant they have in the whole country"
  15. Four injured in Israel after rocket strike - emergency servicespublished at 17:36 BST 5 April

    Four people have been injured in Haifa, northern Israel, after a rocket strike, the country's emergency service Magen David Adom says.

    It says this includes "an approximately 82-year-old man in serious condition who was injured by a heavy object, and 3 casualties in mild condition with shrapnel and blast injuries".

    The emergency service has shared these pictures of the scene.

    Smoke rises from the rubble of a partially collapsed building.Image source, MDA
    Israeli emergency responders wheel a stretcher down a city road as police, a fire truck, and bystanders surround the scene.Image source, MDA
  16. Military trains 'endlessly' for rescue missions, former US commander sayspublished at 17:27 BST 5 April

    Gen Frank McKenzie, a retired former commander of US Central Command, tells CBS Face the Nation that the rescue of the airman in Iran is something the US military trains “endlessly” for.

    “Every time we send air crew over enemy territory, we have detailed elaborate plans to go get them,” he says.

    McKenzie says this rescue operation left the airman in a “position where they can hide until you can get to them, all that seemed to work out very well”.

    The retired general says “we did in fact lose a couple of aircraft in that mission”, but it's a loss you take "any day" in such a situation.

    He says it is a “hard lesson” for Iran that it was “not able to find the missing air crewman” before the US rescuers.

  17. 'Harrowing night' for rescue forces, says former US airforce pilotpublished at 17:13 BST 5 April

    Gabriela Pomeroy
    Live reporter

    Dr Ravi ChaudharyImage source, Dr Ravi Chaudhary

    I've spoken to former US Air Force pilot Dr Ravi Chaudhary, who served as a personnel recovery director during the Iraq war.

    He says "what made this extraction so difficult is that rescuers had to establish contact with the aircrew without giving away their position to hostile forces."

    It would have been a "harrowing night” for the rescue forces and US airmen, says Chaudhary – who served in the US air force for 21 years.

    “There are multiple ways you can extract the air crew," he says. "You can lower a harness down while still airborne and hoist the airman up to a helicopter. Or you can actually land and approach the airman."

    “At the same time you are coordinating strike assets to maintain safe cover for the rescue forces."

  18. What we know about operation to rescue airmanpublished at 17:07 BST 5 April

    It has been more than 11 hours since Donald Trump said a missing US airman - whose fighter jet was downed over Iran - had been rescued.

    What we know

    • Both crew members from the downed F-15 fighter jet have now been rescued - the pilot and the weapon systems officer
    • Trump says the weapon systems officer - an unnamed colonel - was "seriously wounded". The BBC understands injuries may have happened when he ejected from the plane
    • They were rescued from "deep inside the mountains of Iran", Trump says - we still don't know the precise location
    • No Americans were killed in the rescue, according to the president

    What we don't know

    • The identity of the weapon systems officer, or the pilot who was rescued on Friday
    • What US assets were damaged in the operation. Verified footage appears to show smouldering aircraft wreckage in a mountainous area of central Iran, and there are separate reports from Iran and US media about destroyed aircraft. We have not been able to confirm either report
    • Exactly how many troops were involved - the BBC's US partner CBS News reports that there was no firefight during the rescue, and fewer than 100 troops were involved
    A map showing western and southern Iran, the Gulf, and neighbouring countries. A red label near the city of Isfahan marks the “Location of wreckage of US aircraft”. Another red label further south marks the area where “US search aircraft filmed operating” pointing to a location around the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer‑Ahmad province and Khuzestan province. Surrounding countries labelled include Iraq to the west, Saudi Arabia to the southwest, and Qatar, the UAE and Oman to the south of Iran.
  19. US bombers take off from UK carrying penetrating 'bunker buster' weaponspublished at 16:58 BST 5 April

    Chris Partridge
    BBC News weapons analyst

    Three USAF B-1b Lancer heavy bombers took off from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire at 15:45 BST on Sunday - almost certainly heading for Iran.

    Each aircraft is capable of carrying a number of 'bunker buster' weapons.

    B-52 and B-1b aircraft have been flying out of here for weeks to attack targets - using a mixture of JDAMs and long-distance cruise missiles.

    The aircraft that took off this afternoon are likely on a mission that will last 15 hours or more - with several refuels on the way and back.

    A US B-1b Lancer taking off from RAF Fairford
    A US B-1b Lancer taking off from RAF Fairford
  20. 'Good chance' of deal being reached tomorrow, Trump tells Fox Newspublished at 16:19 BST 5 April

    US President Donald Trump says he is considering “blowing everything up and taking over the oil” in Iran if a deal to end the war is not reached quickly, Fox News reports.

    But, in the interview with Fox's chief foreign correspondent, Trump says there is a “good chance” a deal will be reached tomorrow.

    "They are negotiating now", he says.

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