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War with Iran Causing Biggest Oil Disruption in History; Trump Saying the War with Iran is Very Complete; Georgia Teen Facing Charges Over Teacher's Death Following Prank; Trump Says Australian Prime Minister Will Ensure Safety of Iranian Soccer Players. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired March 09, 2026 - 15:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[15:30:00]

RICHARD QUEST, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT, CNN BUSINESS EDITOR-AT- LARGE: The international exchange price has gone up and therefore that's feeding right the way through the entire chain. But if you actually look, most U.S. petroleum products are domestically come out the ground, domestically refined, but the international situation is what's causing the problem. And in terms of the White House, I suggest if the Canadians decided to turn off the tap, then you'd have an even bigger problem.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: Would that mean that we wouldn't see some of the long lines and the sort of quota schemes that we saw during the Iran hostage crisis in the late 1970s?

QUEST: No, there'll be absolutely none of that in the United States for the simple reason that there is no shortage of supply in terms of oil and gas within the domestic United States. There's a gazillion amount. It's sloshing about.

If you then add in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, there's no shortage. The reason the price is high in the U.S. is because the global market has pushed the price up. And of course, it's a global commodity.

Therefore, the U.S. is being affected. But in terms of, if you will, Texas gold coming out the ground, there's no shortage.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: Yes, but it's really tough. These prices are hard for folks to handle, you know, it's horrible.

QUEST: And you just wait until it feeds through. Because, you know, one thing we you and I've talked about on many occasions is the way in which oil becomes not just a commodity in your car, but now think of the people who then deliver, whether it's pizza or bakery goods or whatever, then think of the trucks, then think of the refined products that it has to go into. Before long, it feeds into the supply chain and therefore raises all prices then people want higher wages and inflationary spiral starts.

Don't look to the Fed to cut interest rates anytime soon. KEILAR: Good Lord. All right, Richard Quest, thank you so much for the bad news. But listen, we want to know what's going on. So we appreciate it.

Coming up here in a new interview, President Trump says he won't rule out seizing Iranian oil as Israel weighs in on the new supreme leader and whether he might also be targeted as his father was.

[15:35:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ERIN BURNETT, CNN HOST: And welcome back to our breaking coverage of the war with Iran. I'm Erin Burnett in Tel Aviv on this Monday afternoon. As we have just gotten a warning here, we expect to hear sirens, and potential missile strikes any minute.

So we're just waiting for that. When that happens, we'll need to move to shelter.

But the Israeli foreign minister has told CNN to wait and see if the newly installed supreme leader in Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei. So that would be Supreme Leader Khamenei, yet again, is now a target for the Israeli military, which of course would completely upend in a sense where perhaps President Trump wants this war to go.

And just a moment ago, President Trump, in an interview with CBS News, called the war with Iran -- I'm just reading these headlines as we're getting them -- quote unquote, very complete, saying, and I'm quoting him to CBS, "I think the war is very complete, pretty much. They have no Navy, no communications. They've got no Air Force."

And the CBS News then asked President Trump, did he have a message for the new supreme leader? Someone whom he had said just days ago was absolutely categorically unacceptable. He said, in terms of whether there's a message for him quote, "I have no message for him, none whatsoever." Now, obviously, this could be a crucial development.

It depends what he says in a couple of hours when he's anticipated to give a press conference. But it does come as we've seen an increase of missile strikes here in Israel. You had a missile in Turkey today. An Iranian ballistic missile was over NATO.

Joining us now is CNN Global Affairs Analyst Kimberly Dozier and our national security analyst, Peter Bergen. Peter, what's your response to this?

You know, just as Israel is saying that it might be -- they're deciding whether to, it would be, they're going to eliminate the supreme leader, Khamenei, the new one, who obviously is not regime change, which had been a core goal of Israel. But the president of the United States is now saying the war is, quote, unquote, very complete. What do you hear in this, Peter?

PETER BERGEN, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well, first of all, Erin, the most consistent thing about President Trump is his inconsistency. So, you know, I mean, he could say something very dissimilar tomorrow or next week. That said, this may actually be a smart play.

We just declare victory, move on. I mean, we've seen, we've all seen, you know, the unexpected, unplanned for effects of this war. And the price of oil.

And it might be smart as a matter of politics and maybe strategy to say, well, the victory has been achieved and it's over as far as we are concerned.

BURNETT: Kim, what do you hear there? I mean, he didn't just say the war is very complete. He elaborated then.

They've got no Navy, no communications. They've got no Air Force.

KIM DOZIER, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: Yes, I agree with Peter that it sounds like he's looking for an off ramp. But the Israelis might have something to say about this, because according to their estimates, and I'm sure you're hearing the same, they have up to a couple hundred missile launchers still existing, still able to fire on Israel. That's why you're waiting for a siren right now.

And also Gulf leaders are saying they are getting daily barrages.

[15:40:00]

Plus there's the whole drone force that are very mobile. We don't know how many they've got, but it's in the thousands. So Trump may be done with Iran, but I don't think Iran is going to be done with this conflict.

They are going to go after whoever they hold responsible, and that is likely U.S. bases in the Gulf.

BURNETT: Yes, and to Kim's point, Peter, our Fred Pleitgen just conducted an interview in Iran where they said they're not looking for any sort of negotiation. And people can say that until they are, but I mean, the context of that would be, yes, what Trump said here is actually true in terms of the destruction, right, of air control and the Navy. But what about the hypersonic missiles?

All right, so I'll keep talking here as we're going to move. The hypersonic missiles, what about the missiles that already exist, the ballistic ones that they haven't gotten? What about the drones?

And what about the enriched uranium, Peter, that we don't know where it is? And as you answer this question, I'm just going to take my mic off and move so we can continue the conversation because we've had some pieces of missiles that have come through very close to here, so we do seek shelter. Go ahead, Peter.

BERGEN: Well, the 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium is, of course, you know, that's the kind of the golden prize here. There's been some discussion about, you know, what it would take to get that back. It would involve Joint Special Operations Command, SEAL Team 6 or U.S. Army Delta Force. That would be a very complicated and potentially risky operation. Yes, so, you know, Machiavelli, a long time ago, said wars begin when

you will, but they do not end when you please. And so even if President Trump is saying, well, you know, our goals are being achieved, that doesn't mean the war won't go on.

And I think it's always been true that the military objectives of this war, I think, were always going to be relatively straightforward. However, you know, the political objectives are another matter.

BURNETT: And Kim, you know, look, just given what's happening here right now, it seems, you know, this isn't a situation where one can just say, OK, this is over, right? You have missiles coming into Tel Aviv right now.

DOZIER: Yes, case in point, you're living it. The Israelis are not going to stop their side of this campaign until they're confident that they've taken as many of the battle pieces as possible off the board. And several Israeli officials have indicated that the new Ayatollah is on their list, too.

You know, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps might have had that in mind when they pushed for him, because we might be seeing a series of Ayatollahs. But it goes back to the Iranians have a tradition of martyrdom, and they have a tradition of fighting on when challenged. So I think you're going to see that their will does not stop even if President Trump stops the U.S. side of the war and the Israelis have decided that they've done enough. You're going to see the Iranians then double down and prepare for the next phase.

BERGEN: I think, Erin, I think Kim makes a very important point there.

BURNETT: Yes, go ahead, Peter, yes.

BERGEN: You know, the 1980s war between Iran and Iraq, about a million people died. I mean, it was a war that turned out to be a draw for all sides and a very bad deal for all sides, and so many people died. But I mean, the Iranians fought a war for almost a decade with that level of casualties.

I'm not saying they're going to do it again, but it's the same regime. And I agree wholeheartedly with Kim's point. I mean, if you believe God is on your side, that's a pretty powerful form of belief.

These guys really do believe that. And we've seen for the first time for a long time, I can't really recall the last time we've had a hereditary theocracy as a kind of form of government. But here we are.

BURNETT: Yes. All right, Kim and Peter, thank you very much. We did see markets go up on the back of those headlines that we just shared, or those comments from the president to CBS, as we did also just hear some loud thuds here.

And we can update you on exactly what just happened as some of those missiles came in and it seems perhaps were intercepted. Unclear. They've been using some cluster munitions, and you probably can't hear it through the mic, but I can hear some of the explosions right now. We'll be right back.

[15:45:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: A high school in North Georgia is mourning the death of a beloved teacher killed over the weekend following a prank. According to police, 40-year-old Jason Hughes went outside to confront a group of teens after they toilet papered his front yard, but he tripped and fell into the street and then was run over as they fled the scene.

CNN's Ryan Young joins us now from Atlanta, not far from where this happened. Ryan, what are you hearing?

RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Boris, this is a difficult story to talk about. It seems like this teacher was really beloved in the community. He knew the kids were coming.

This was a part of a senior prank. And at the same time, when he walked outside, apparently it had been raining, and he slipped in that driveway. And then one of the students, as they were pulling away, ran him over.

Those students actually stopped to help and render aid. And at that point, it was still too late to help him out. The five kids showed up to toilet paper at the outside of the home.

It's a part of a senior prank. Happens all the time, of course. And this happened to the North Hall High School coach who was not only taught math, but taught golf.

And a lot of people talk about how much he poured into the community. When that coach ran outside, apparently one of the trucks ran him over. And again, I did say they tried to give him aid, but that didn't help.

Jayden Wallace, 18, was charged with vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and criminal trespass. But as you can imagine, this has really torn the community up.

[15:50:00]

His first court appearance was Saturday. He has since bonded out.

But there are so many questions now, obviously, about what exactly happened here. His family, he is a father of two. He's a husband. His wife actually teaches at that same high school.

Today, they had grief counselors at this high school. But as you can imagine, something that should have been full of fun, a good time, ends up being something that's tragic for a lot of people.

Four other teams were arrested as well. Their charges were a lot less, obviously, not as serious as the 18-year-old who was charged with that vehicular homicide. But so many questions, and obviously something that's been so tough to deal with in the community. And on top of that, there's been a GoFundMe account.

And from what we've been told, over $200,000 has been raised so far. But that family will need support. This community will need support -- Boris.

SANCHEZ: And no doubt. Ryan Young, thank you so much for that.

Ahead, why President Trump is offering to grant asylum to five Iranian women soccer players who fled their team's hotel in Australia.

[15:55:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: Now for some of the other headlines we're watching this hour. Anthropic is suing the Pentagon and other federal agencies after being labelled a supply chain risk. That designation is typically give to companies associated with foreign adversaries.

The lawsuit follows Anthropic's falling out with the Pentagon after it sought restrictions to bar the government from it's AI product for mass surveillance of Americans and in autonomous weapons. The Pentagon has said the AI would be used for all lawful purposes. CNN has reached out to the Pentagon and the White House for comments.

And after several straight days, several days in a row, I mean, just look at this. Dangerous weather in the central U.S. Tornadoes killing at least eight people. The threat is back today.

The lower Mississippi and Tennessee valleys could be hit by tornadoes, severe storms and flash flooding. Tomorrow, the severe weather moves to the Southern Plains and all the way up to the Great Lakes region.

And panic over an unintended pot donation leads to the arrest of two teenagers in New Zealand. Police there say an unidentified boy and girl mistakenly left a knapsack of money and marijuana at a donation area outside a charity shop. Police were called when the agitated teens returned to the store, wanting their bag back. Recreational pot use is illegal in New Zealand, along with the sale of the drugs.

President Trump says Australia's prime minister has ensured the safety of Iranian soccer players on the women's national team after a concern had spread over their return to their home country. Sources tell CNN five members of the squad have sought asylum in Australia after fleeing their hotel and they are safe with police. Before his call with Australia's PM, President Trump said the U.S. would grant asylum to the players if Australia did not.

CNN's Kristen Holmes is with us now on this story. Kristen, what more can you tell us about the status of these players?

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Brianna, well, we really have limited information here. Of course, as you mentioned, we know that five of them have been asked -- or asked for asylum and are safe with police. We did learn from one journalist in the ground that seven had left the hotel. So unclear about those other two.

President Trump said this after his conversation with the prime minister. He said, "As in addition to those five, there were some who felt that they must go back because they were worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don't return."

So we don't have the hard numbers here other than those five that are with police. And President Trump did indicate that after that conversation with the prime minister, that there were more members of the team who would be granted asylum and go to stay with the police. But it's unclear how many of them fall into that category and how many of them will be going back to Iran because of, as President Trump said, these threats.

Now, of course, all of this is coming as President Trump has just arrived back at his Daral club where he is expected to speak. Then he is going to give a press conference, his first press conference that he's had, an actual official press conference since the start of these attacks in Iran. One thing to keep in mind here, just moments ago, he told CBS that the war was pretty much over, or over pretty much.

That in itself gives you an idea of where exactly his head is going into all of this. That is a very different approach than what we've heard from him in a variety of these interviews. And that's really why it's been so hard.

He's done -- instead of doing a big press conference like this, what we've seen is these kind of one-off interviews where he talks to a reporter for three or five minutes and often offers contradictory explanations of various things. So saying that he's unhappy in some ways about the new leader but then saying that the war is over or pretty much complete. There are a lot of questions here as to what this means for the U.S. involvement, particularly as we've also seen President Trump saying at one point he would determine when it was over.

So does that mean he's determining it right now because of this conversation with CBS? We just don't know because this is a completely different line that we're hearing from him now than we've heard for the last several days.

KEILAR: Yes, we just had Erin Burnett on breaking that, that he had said that as she was hearing sirens in Tel Aviv and needing to relocate from her live shot. It really spoke a lot there about just how very complete this is. Kristen, what are we expecting real quick at 5:30 from the president?

HOLMES: President Trump is going to give remarks and then he's going to take questions from the press corps.

[16:00:00]

Now, of course, there are a lot of questions. This is the first time that he's actually been in front of the entire press corps and opened it up for questions. Of course, it's reporters who are on the ground there, but the end game, where we're going here, what America's involvement is going to be, all of those major questions.

KEILAR: Yes, certainly. Kristen, thank you so much. "THE ARENA" with Kasie Hunt starts right now.

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