Return to Transcripts main page

CNN News Central

Attacks Escalate on Ships in Strait of Hormuz; Two Killed After Storms Tear Across Central U.S.; Gas Prices Soar Amid War in Iran. Aired 7-7:30a ET

Aired March 11, 2026 - 07:00   ET

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

[07:00:00]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: The breaking news, at least three ships have now been hit in the Strait of Hormuz. What does this mean for the war? What does this mean for oil markets?

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Overnight, tornadoes and giant hail tearing through the Central United States. Where that storm is moving now, bringing flash floods and damaging winds.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: And a dose of instant karma for a would-be thief setting a huge fire while siphoning gas at a U-Haul facility. It turns out siphoning gas becoming a nationwide trend.

I'm Sara Sidner with Kate Bolduan and John Berman. This is CNN News Central.

BOLDUAN: All right. Let's get to the breaking news this morning in the war with Iran. News strikes, new video from the escalating showdown in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM is now releasing these images that we're showing you right here, saying that the U.S. forces have destroyed 16 mine-laying ships in that vital shipping channel. Remember, nearly 20 million barrels of fuel a day move through the Strait of Hormuz.

And breaking overnight, we have now learned that at least three vessels have reportedly been struck by what's right now being described as unknown projectiles in and around the strait. We're following that and we're going to bring you updates because we're sure to get them when they come in this morning.

All of this as Iran is now saying that it's launching its most intense and heaviest operations since this war began. Sources now telling CNN a suspected Iranian drone struck a major U.S. diplomatic facility in Iraq.

Also overnight, new images of damage in Tehran, take a look here, as the Israeli military launches its own waves of strikes on that capital city. Our CNN team inside Iran is reporting major air raids lasting nearly an hour. We've got much more from Iran. We have CNN team coverage across the Middle East here and at home.

Let's begin with Paula Hancocks live in Abu Dhabi. Paula, tell me what's the very latest that you're hearing and seeing from there.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kate, to this point following that warning by Iran, that this was going to be the most intense and heaviest operation. We are really looking out for what is happening across the Gulf, and it does appear as though there have been a significant number of alerts and interceptions over the past 24 hours.

Now, of course, we will wait for official figures to see if it is significantly higher. It's difficult when you're in the middle of it to get the bigger picture sometimes. But certainly here in the UAE we saw, a couple of waves overnight of Iranian missiles and drones in Dubai as well. We know that, once again, Dubai Airport has been targeted. We understand that four people were injured when there was two drones just close to the airport itself. And we have seen the same happen across Bahrain and Qatar is under undergoing a number of intercepts at this point. So, it does appear as though there is a consistent number of retaliation from Iran.

And they're also saying that they're going to extend their scope, their target list. They have said now that also what is on their target list is offices and assets of major American tech companies, so not just political and military installations, although they have been going far beyond that, of course, in particular, the energy infrastructure appears to be one of their favorite targets at this point.

And talking of that, the Strait of Hormuz, that key narrow body of water between Oman, the UAE and Iran, we have seen three vessels that have now been impacted just in the last 24 hours or so. We know that one cargo ship caught fire after it came under projectile fire.

Now, we understand that fire is now out. There's been no environmental damage. But interesting to point out that it's not just oil tankers that we should be talking about here. These are cargo ships as well. So, of course, that could bring some shortages to the region and also to the world.

[07:05:02]

So, this is an issue that is being watched very closely and appears to be a stronger target now of Iran. Kate?

BOLDUAN: Yes, it's one of the world's fertilizer moves through that strait as well.

Paula, thank you so much, much more to come. John?

BERMAN: Yes. Before this latest round of apparent strikes on ships in and around the strait, the president addressed the possibility that Iran was laying mines in those waters. He wrote, quote, if for any reason mines were placed and they are not removed forthwith, the military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before. We are using the same technology and missile capabilities deployed against drug traffickers to permanently eliminate any boat or ship attempting to mine the Strait of Hormuz. They will be dealt with quickly and violently. Beware.

Let's get right to CNN's Alayna Treene at the White House. Again, that was on the issue of mining before these apparent strikes on ships, three ships overnight, Alayna.

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, no, that's exactly right. And shortly before that post from the president, John, CNN had learned that Iran was in fact doing exactly that, that they were laying minds in the Strait of Hormuz with the goal, of course, of trying to further disrupt and cause chaos into that strait that provides the world with roughly 20 percent of its crude oil.

And, look, as we know and Paul just laid this out very well, the Strait of Hormuz, which is that key waterway that, you know, connects the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world, that is why we've seen so many, you know, global oil executives, but also oil prices spiking. And that is really what has caused so many people in that building behind me to be so concerned about this intense standoff.

But right after the president had posted, you know, that Truth Social post that you shared, John, that was at 4:07. At 4:20, we got another post from the president where he said, I am pleased to report that within the last few hours, we have hit and completely destroyed ten inactive mine-laying boats and/or ships with more to follow. And then at roughly 6:00 P.M. is when we saw U.S. Central Command release those images that you've been showing of, you know, those targets on those boats that they said were trying to lay in mines. They said it was 16 mine-layers near the Strait of Hormuz.

Now, again, some conflicting messages, of course, we were hearing from the president, but they also extend to the energy secretary, Chris Wright, who said yesterday he posted and then quickly deleted that the U.S. Navy had been escorting an oil tanker through the strait. This is something that the president had said he was considering. But then what we heard from the White House after the energy secretary had posted that, they came out saying that that was inaccurate, that the U.S. Navy was not actually, you know, escorting these ships through the Strait of Hormuz, and said that he is going to be considering that, the president, when and if necessary at the appropriate time.

And I think that language is so key because, again, this is something that has really rattled oil prices. And also we've continued to see this volatility in the global oil market, something that is a major concern of this White House as they continue their campaign in the Middle East.

BERMAN: It was extraordinary correction of the secretary of energy from the White House itself on that subject.

Alayna Treene there this morning for us, thank you very much. Sara?

SIDNER: All right, thank you, John.

We are getting a first look at damage after tornadoes ripped across several states overnight. This morning, millions of people are still under a severe weather watch. And gas prices spiking for the 11th straight day. Where it's being felt the most and how long this may last.

Plus, a first look at the debut music video from the A.I. actress that, of course is sparking a bunch of backlash across Hollywood. She says she can't wait to go to the Oscars, but there's just that one small problem. She's, of course, not real.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:10:00]

SIDNER: This morning, the danger is not over after violent storm swept from Texas to the Great Lakes overnight. We just learned that two people have been killed after a tornado hit Northwest Indiana. The storm spanned multiple tornadoes, including one near Chicago that you're seeing there, a driver capturing that scene on video. At least ten tornadoes were reported across three states causing damage and injuries, roofs ripped off homes and businesses, leaving piles of debris and power outages. This morning, more than 90 million people are under the risk of severe thunderstorms as the storm begins shifting east.

Our Derek Van Dam is here with us watching all of this. What are you learning this morning, Derek?

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes. We're learning, Sara, that there were also multiple victims transported to local hospitals from what is likely the same storm cell that caused the fatalities in Lake Village, Indiana.

This is just to the east of Kankakee, Illinois. You're looking at a tornado, and I want you to look closely. Check out the hailstones dropping and bouncing off of the windshield and the front hood of this vehicle. This is an intense tornado, but it also has large hailstones associated with it that caused serious damage.

[07:15:00]

Now, the National Weather Service out of Chicago, Illinois, talks about how the previous hail record in Illinois was 4.75 inches, but there's an unconfirmed report from a trained spotter of a six-inch- sized hailstone that fell from the sky. It still needs to be confirmed. But if it is, that will be a new state record.

Let's get into the forecast because we're still active today. Here's a look at that long track tornado that stretched from North Central Illinois into Northwestern Indiana. This is the one that caused the fatalities as part of the larger spread of storms that dropped over ten tornadoes, 55 reports of wind damage.

And it continues today in more of a diminished sense, but the threat is still here. Large hail damaging winds, and a few tornadoes from the Ohio River Valley through the Tennessee Valley, all the way to the Gulf Coast. In fact, we have active tornado watches and warnings as we speak. Let's zoom into Southern Illinois and show you this watch box here. This is inclusive of Indianapolis and it lasts through noon eastern time, and you can see a lot of lightning associated with these storms as they march east at about 60 miles per hour.

There is a tornado worn storm just east of Effingham, Illinois. This is Southern Illinois. And look at the trajectory, you've got Indianapolis, a large metropolitan area in the line of some stronger storms that will move through this morning. Little Rock, just to your south, that area right now getting hammered by strong winds and potentially some hail as well. No active tornado warnings there.

Here's a look at the forecast as we go forward through the course of the day today. These storms will evolve. Look out for the potential of tornadoes across Ohio, Pennsylvania into West Virginia this afternoon. We get the daytime heating from the sun. And then the Gulf Coast will tap into moisture here across the Gulf states, and this will bring heavy rainfall and the potential for some quick spin ups as well.

Again, just to recap, here's a look at our severe weather chances for today. Good news, Sara, the chance of severe weather diminishes tomorrow and into the weekend.

SIDNER: That video of that tornado, that was enormous, that tornado and, and to see the damage that they're capable of doing, terrifying.

Derek Van Dam, thank you so much for that update. Kate?

BOLDUAN: Yes, and we're going from severe snowstorms immediately into these crazy tornadoes, my goodness.

Coming up for us, gas prices surged 60 cents since the start of the Iran war. Why there are warnings now, it could be months before prices come back down.

And it's being called the biggest upset in the history of the world baseball classic, Italy stunning the U.S.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:20:00]

BERMAN: This morning, at least three vessels have been hit in the Strait of Hormuz. Few of any oil tankers seem to be moving through. This does have an impact on oil prices, which are up for today, hovering around $85, $86 a barrel, up about 2 percent or so. Not as bad as it was, but still a little higher than yesterday. Higher oil prices mean higher gas prices. And many Americans are beginning to feel it in their wallet.

Let's get right to seeing as Danny Freeman in Philadelphia with the latest on this. Good morning, sir.

DANNY FREEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John. Yes, the word is remarkable just to see the change in gas prices over the course of the past week and past month. Listen, if you have a car, I have a car, folks in Pennsylvania, we rely on our cars quite a lot. And to see that change at the pump, you feel that pain and it really gives you whiplash.

So, let's start talking about some of the differences that we've been seeing. National average right now around $3.58 a gallon. Here in Pennsylvania, it's actually one of the states that's higher than that national average at $3.66 a gallon. I'll remind our viewers, John, Pennsylvania, a major swing state that President Trump won in the last election. A month ago though, here in Pennsylvania, prices were about $3.13 a gallon on average. That's a major jump from where it was just then. And, again, this is according to AAA data that we're looking at.

Philadelphia happens to be a little bit under that at the moment, at around $3.62 a gallon, this gas station behind me though quoting $3.79. So, you can see these prices are fluid and moving, frankly, all the time, John.

But Western Pennsylvania is actually one of the spots that's feeling it the hardest right now across the commonwealth. Erie, $3.76 a gallon, Washington County, that's a Republican stronghold, $3.75 a gallon, and then Allegheny County, where Pittsburgh is, $3.76 a gallon, 40 cent increases, John, over the course of the past month, in many of those places. That's a lot. People feel it. That hits their wallets directly.

AAA, though, John does have some tips to try and save on fuel economy while this war and this conflict keeps going on overseas. Avoid idling if you can, of course. Cruise control is your best friend while you're on the highways. And then minimizing air conditioning, John, I know we've had some lovely weather where you are in New York, here in Philadelphia as well, keep the windows open perhaps for a bit, the air conditioning on.

And, John, last thing I'll say is that now that this gas pump behind me is open, we're going to head over there and really get the feel of drivers as they're filling up this morning. John?

BERMAN: Drove yesterday with the windows open until it messed up my hair. Then I had to shut the windows. But the issue -- oh, we took that graphic down. The issue has been how quickly --

FREEMAN: Me too --

BERMAN: -- the gas prices -- how quickly the gas prices has been rising, the near vertical increase in a very short period of time. That is what people are really feeling.

Thank you, Danny. Sara?

SIDNER: All right. Ahead, special election take two. The race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene's Georgia House seat now is heading to a runoff. What yesterday's results tell us about the state of that race.

And Miami Heat Power Forward Bam Adebayo is on fire. The huge record he just surpassed to make his way into NBA history. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:25:00]

BOLDUAN: The breaking news this morning, new attacks and this time right in the Strait of Hormuz are causing oil prices to spike once again. CENTCOM released these images saying that the U.S. -- that U.S. forces have now destroyed 16 mine-laying ships in that vital waterway. At least three vessels have reportedly now been struck by unknown projectiles in the area. And remember, some 20 million barrels of fuel a day move through the strait.

It comes as Iran says it has launched its most intense operations since the war began. And sources tell CNN a suspected drone -- Iranian drone, rather, struck a major U.S. diplomatic facility in Iraq. The Pentagon says 140 U.S. service members have now been wounded in this war effort, and 7 U.S. service members have been killed, the costs so high already.

We have teams positioned throughout the region. Let's go to Oren Liebermann in Tel Aviv first. Oren, what are you hearing from there?

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Kate, as you pointed out that suspected Iranian drone strike on a diplomatic facility in Baghdad is just the latest example of Iran attacking and lashing out across the region, using its arsenal of drones and ballistic missiles.

As you pointed out, since this war began, the Pentagon now acknowledging about 140 service members have been injured and then seven U.S. service members have also been killed. Iran says or at least claims they're targeting only U.S. facilities in the region, but we have seen their attacks hit Gulf hotels, Gulf airports, and much more.

Of course, one of Iran's key targets is here in Israel, where we have continued to see and hear the sirens warning of incoming ballistic missile fire. In fact, I was actually fairly close to the airport at about 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning where there were two sirens, warning of incoming ballistic missiles.

[07:30:00]

And then as we looked up into the sky, we saw that telltale red splitting up of fireballs of either a cluster of warhead splitting up in.