Bitcoin traded just above $67,000 on Saturday afternoon as U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, demanding the country reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face what he called “devastating military consequences.” The deadline, posted on Truth Social on April 4, 2026, marks the latest escalation in the ongoing Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign launched on February 28.
Operation Epic Fury: Over 9,000 Targets Struck
Since the start of the campaign, American forces have struck more than 9,000 targets across Iran, including command centers, air defense systems, ballistic missile facilities, and naval assets. U.S. officials claim that Iran’s navy is largely neutralized and its missile production severely degraded. In retaliation, Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which approximately 20% of the world's oil supply passes. Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude prices surged above $100–$110 per barrel, fueling inflation fears in global markets.
New Incidents: Downed Aircraft and Nuclear Plant Attack
On Friday, Iranian forces reportedly shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet over southern Iran. Special operations teams rescued the pilot via helicopter, but the weapons system officer remains missing. Search-and-rescue efforts continue in difficult terrain. During the operation, an A-10 Warthog was hit but its pilot was saved, and a Black Hawk helicopter came under small-arms fire but escaped without casualties. Early Saturday, a projectile landed near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant—the fourth such incident at the site. One security guard was killed by shrapnel, and the building sustained blast and fragmentation damage. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi confirmed no radiation leak but warned that attacks on or near nuclear facilities risk damaging safety equipment and must not be tolerated.
Diplomatic Efforts and Bitcoin Market Dynamics
Pakistan has taken an active mediating role, coordinating with China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt. However, Iran has denied progress, and mutual rejections have stalled talks. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) expressed full support for Trump’s ultimatum, stating that Iran faces a “massive military operation” if it refuses to reopen the strait and negotiate peace. Bitcoin has traded in a volatile range of $65,000–$71,000 since Operation Epic Fury began, often dipping on strike news and recovering on cease-fire signals. After the ultimatum, the digital asset slipped slightly to around $67,000, having previously touched a 2026 low of $65,834 following a past Trump speech. Analysts describe the price action as relatively resilient, noting that institutional flows and technical support near the $65,000–$66,000 zone held despite rising oil prices and equity pullbacks. With the 48-hour window ticking, ongoing efforts to locate the missing F-15E crew member, and the Bushehr incident, markets expect heightened volatility early next week.
Other News: USDC Freeze Controversy
Separately, blockchain investigator ZachXBT accused Circle of failing to block over 420 million USDC linked to 15 hack and fraud incidents since 2022, while freezing 16 legitimate wallets. The allegation has reignited debate over the transparency and accuracy of stablecoin compliance measures.