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War With Iran Enters Third Week With No End In Sight; U.S. On Alert After Attacks At Synagogue And University; Iran Threatens Retaliation For U.S. Strikes On Kharg Island; Trump Claims "Other Countries" Sending Warships To Hormuz. Aired 12-1a ET

Aired March 15, 2026 - 00:00   ET

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

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN Breaking News.

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, Polo Sandoval in New York, where it is now midnight Sunday. I'll be with you in the next hour as we follow those breaking developments out of the Middle East. And that's exactly where we want to start at this hour, the latest on the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran. President Donald Trump says that he is not ready to strike a cease fire deal with Iran because, quote, "the terms aren't good enough yet," said the president. Meanwhile, the president also claimed that other countries will be sending warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

China and the U.K. they have since responded to CNN's request for comment, but neither have confirmed whether they are actually sending warships or any sort of naval assets to one of the world's most critical oil shipping routes. And all this comes amid a new warning from Iran's military following the U.S. strikes on Kharg Island on Friday. That island actually handles roughly 90 percent of the country's crude oil exports. Earlier, Tehran said that it believes it has a legitimate right to target the UAE, including what it calls U.S. military hideouts.

Let's go now to CNN's Will Ripley, joining me live from Taipei.

Will, what we're seeing here is the U.S. president essentially calling on its -- on his allies to send in naval assets. What are those countries saying?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, what they're -- what they're not saying is that they're going to send warships, Polo. But obviously we know that this is an area that is of concern for energy importers around the world and there are a lot of them right here in Asia where I'm speaking to you from. We know that shipping companies have been avoiding this route over security risks and at least 16 ships have been attacked in the strait area since the war began. The strait handles about 20 percent of global oil trade. Iran's foreign minister is saying that the strait is open, but it is closed to the ships of its so called enemies.

Listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABBAS ARACHI, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: The Strait of Hormuz is open. It is only closed to the tankers and ships belong to the -- to our enemies, to those who are attacking us and their allies. Others are free to pass. Of course, many of them prefer not because of their, you know, security concerns. This has nothing to do with us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

RIPLEY: President Trump urging China, Japan, South Korea and the U.K. to help protect shipping routes. But so far, no country has confirmed any warship deployments. But China did issue a statement in response, Polo. I'll read you a portion of it now. It says, quote, "As a sincere friend and strategic partner of Middle Eastern countries, China will continue to strengthen communication with relevant parties, including parties to the conflict, and play a constructive role for descalation and restoration of peace."

The U.K. saying that they are discussing with their allies and partners a range of options to ensure the security of shipping in the region. But clearly, Polo, countries want to avoid themselves getting dragged further into this conflict that many feel is the responsibility of the United States and Israel, as they were the ones who launched the initial wave of attacks that started this escalation.

SANDOVAL: And will these strikes really throughout the entire region? They have continued for well over a week now. What's the latest round of these strikes? Where are some of the areas that are still being impacted?

RIPLEY: Well, you have not only areas that are being impacted now, but you have warnings from Iran's Revolutionary Guard that any U.S. linked industrial sites across the region could soon be targeted as well. So there are warnings going out to civilians, being told that they should stay away if they want to, quote, "avoid any harm." So clearly this is escalating. Iran has already been attacking, as you said, energy and oil infrastructure in Bahrain and Qatar, in the UAE. And those countries also host US Military bases.

Of course, there's also reports that a projectile hit the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad. In fact, we've seen video of the smoke rising from the helipad of that -- of that facility. So these warnings from Iran's Revolutionary Guard, obviously they're coming after the U.S. strikes on Kharg Island, which handles about 90 percent of Iran's crude oil exports. President Trump saying that those strikes were targeting military assets and not the energy infrastructure, which he says remains in place. But clearly Iran trying to prevent any further attacks that could that could -- that could continue to cripple that nation.

[00:05:05]

And so they're threatening to cripple the entire global economy by targeting some pretty valuable assets that go beyond what they have been targeting up until now, Polo.

SANDOVAL: Will Ripley, thank you so much for that report.

Israel reportedly keeping the door open to potential talks with Lebanon. Two sources, they are now telling CNN that a close aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been chosen to lead this possible -- this possible round of negotiations. But an Israeli official says that doesn't necessarily mean that there are any plans to hold talks, at least not at this point. Well, meanwhile, the head of the World Health Organization is addressing Israel's deadly strike on a health care center in Lebanon, calling it a war crime. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres is now calling on Israel and Hezbollah to stop the fighting.

And he says that southern Beirut is at risk of, quote, "being bombed into oblivion." CNN's Isobel Yeung went to part of that city.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ISOBEL YEUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So we're in the southern suburbs in the area of Dahieh, and it's just another level of destruction here. You can see this building was just recently struck by an Israeli airstrike. Still on smoke. This whole building's just entirely crumpled, stuff everywhere on the floor. I mean, the Israeli Defense Forces said that this is a Hezbollah stronghold and there are Hezbollah command centers here that they've been targeting.

They've ordered everyone to evacuate, and that's saying that they'll treat anyone who remains here as terrorists.

YEUNG (voice-over): This is the strike that leveled the building behind me. Dahieh has been hit harder than any other Beirut neighborhood. But still a small trickle of residents return to pick up belongings or check on their homes.

YEUNG: What did you come to pick up?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I wanted to take some stuff from the house. Like clothes for the kids.

YEUNG: What does it feel like seeing your neighborhood like this?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We stand firm. We need to stand firm. Because the resistance fighters are sacrificing a lot of blood and whatever we offer is too little.

YEUNG: Hezbollah is the reason that the Israelis are targeting this area. You have no blame for them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Israel is the reason. For 15 months they've been killing us and we've been silent.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): This is what the complex looks like after the strike.

YEUNG (voice-over): In the aftermath of strikes, it falls on the civil defense team based on the outskirts of Dahieh to put out fires and save any casualties. The Israeli military has warned it could start striking ambulances across Lebanon if, as they allege, Hezbollah continues to use them as transport vehicles. Hezbollah told CNN they do not use ambulances or medical centers for military purposes. On Friday, the IDF also struck a healthcare center, killing 12 medics in southern Lebanon.

YEUNG: Is that something you're worried about?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, of course. We had a threat like today. He wanted to attack the ambulances so it was like a shock for us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Although there's a high risk that we will get bombed but we can't stay down, this is our duty.

YEUNG (voice-over): Now, though the strikes are not limited to Hezbollah strongholds. An apartment block in a mostly Christian neighborhood of Beirut was struck twice, once yesterday and again today.

YEUNG: How are you?

YEUNG (voice-over): Locals tell us they no longer know who to trust and fear their neighbor could be an Israeli target.

YEUNG: All the glass is shattered here.

YEUNG (voice-over): Many are resentful that they've been dragged back into yet another war.

YEUNG: From up here, you can really just see how close everyone lives to each other and how densely populated this area is. You've got apartment blocks wedged in next to each other. I mean, this apartment was targeted just a few hours ago. And the residents here, many of who are Christians, are saying that they just don't have anywhere else to go to. So it must be absolutely terrifying.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): We were so scared.

YEUNG: What's it like seeing --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): It's the first time they strike here. I mean, they never struck like this.

YEUNG: Who do you blame for this situation?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of course, Hezbollah.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Whenever Hezbollah is present anywhere in Lebanon there is no safety. Of course, they're endangering the lives of Lebanese all around Lebanon. They didn't have to enter this war. And then they're saying that they're supporting Iran. What's that got to do with us?

YEUNG (voice-over): It's a cruel question, particularly for the civilians forced to shoulder the cost of this relentless war. Isobel Yeung, CNN, Beirut.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: Let's keep the conversation going and head over to Jonathan Conricus. He's a former spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces. He's now a senior fellow at the foundation for the Defense of Democracies. He joins us from Tel Aviv.

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Lieutenant Colonel, it's always great to see you. Thank you so much for joining us again.

JONATHAN CONRICUS, SR. FELLOW, FOUNDATION FOR THE DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES: Thanks for having me on.

SANDOVAL: So Israel said today that its strikes in Iran killed two more senior Iranian officials. Now, we've seen hundreds of waves, some 400 airstrikes since the start of the war. When do you expect, from your perspective, that IDF forces may scale down their campaign?

CONRICUS: Yes, you know, objectives are -- I just came out of a bomb shelter. So the moment that I think Israeli authorities see that the Iranian regime doesn't have any significant capacity to threaten or kill Israeli civilians, that'll definitely be an indicator. So far, Iranians still have ballistic missiles. They fire them one, two, three times a day, forcing lots of Israelis to disrupt everything and go to shelters. It happened twice last night for me personally, but that's just an indication of where things are.

So that's obviously one major objective. Second, very important objective is to destroy the entire ecosystem and industry that enables Iran to fire ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, at civilians across the region, but specifically at Israel.

And ideally, you know, what we would want to see is a regime that says, OK, enough, we are going to stop trying to destroy the state of Israel, stop this wanton aggression against Israel and against other countries, and maybe calculate a different path. We know that the chances for this regime doing that are very, very slim.

SANDOVAL: I want you to listen to some of the latest remarks from the Israeli Defense Minister about what he sees as the next possible chapter in their offensive against Iran.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ISRAEL KATZ, ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER (through translator): We're entering the decisive phase of the struggle between the regime's attempt to survive while causing increasing suffering to the Iranian people and surrender. Only the Iranian people can put an end to this with a determined struggle until the overthrow of the terrorist regime and the salvation of Iran.

(END VIDEO CLIP) SANDOVAL: So let's pick up where you left off there, Lieutenant Colonel, about the objectives. And, you know, we didn't get to, or at least I didn't hear anything about the nuclear capabilities of Iran. I mean, do you perhaps even see a scenario where joint forces from the United States and the IDF may potentially send in troops on the ground to try to seize that stockpile. And do you think that that perhaps should be one of, if not the priority before this war would end?

CONRICUS: Yes, I mean, that's definitely on the table. All military options are on the table. And when in war, you, of course, don't want to tell your enemy what you're going to do and when. But this has been spoken about. And the unaccounted for enriched material is what's left of decades of Iranian investment in nuclear weapons. And that's probably the most important asset that the Iranian regime still has.

And it's probably the last remaining kind of card, diplomatic card that the Iranian regime will be able to use. It'll be interesting to see. You know, one hand, Israel and the U.S. can take the kind of action that you alluded to. And on the other hand, the Iranian regime, if they wish to end the war and still have something left intact, that is what they can have and trade with in order to perhaps wiggle out of this war and say, OK, you know what, we're going to stop with this whole nuclear weapons business. Here's the enriched material, transfer it to some guardian, whether it's U.S. or Europe or Russia or someone else, doesn't matter.

But we're giving up on it. To say that and then that could perhaps deescalate the situation. One could wish --

SANDOVAL: Yes.

CONRICUS: -- that the Iranian regime would have that wisdom. And to do so, I don't think that they will have. So yes, what you're asking, you know, that's one option. There are other options that are also kinetic. But in any case, I struggle to see a scenario where this war ends from a U.S. or Israeli perspective with those -- with those 430 kilos of enriched uranium at military level still unaccounted for in the hands of the regime.

One way or another, they need to be taken care of.

SANDOVAL: Yes, that's an important insight too, especially as we continue to focus on the Strait of Hormuz being critical. It's important to remember also that nuclear stockpile, that as you lay out is certainly a must tackle issue for both governments, specifically for the Israelis.

Now, as part of this latest campaign, Israeli strikes in Lebanon, we do know that they've killed, or we understand that they've killed roughly 800 people, including children, and that's according to that country's public health ministry. Just based on your previous experience serving in the IDF, what kind of due diligence is typically conducted in an effort to try to limit any civilian losses, especially in Lebanon?

[00:15:08] CONRICUS: Yes, very significant. And it starts with informing the civilian population in whatever area there is, that Hezbollah has been firing missiles at Israel. Hezbollah is attacking Israeli civilians, and as a consequence, Israel is now retaliating fire in order to defend itself and in order to negate those capabilities. And in these specific areas, there's going to be Israeli military activity. You should stay clear.

So whether it's southern Beirut, whether it is southern Lebanon from the Zahrani River and northwards and border areas close to Israel, whenever early warning is possible to be given, Israel gives that early warning. And it does it very -- in a very specific way, whether it's, you know, through Internet broadcast and even leaflets to -- in order to inform people that they're in a location that they shouldn't be in because Hezbollah has assets.

There now, of course, the old truism that, you know, Hezbollah, they hide behind civilians. The story that you showed before, lots of what looks like civilian infrastructure when it is, in fact, Hezbollah, as usual, as the cowards that they are, hiding behind Lebanese civilians and putting Lebanese civilians at risk. And, you know, my sympathy, empathy, goes out to people who suffer from the consequences. But from an Israeli perspective, we have very little choice here. We -- I think Israel does the most that it can in order to mitigate harm to civilians.

But at the end of the day, our civilians are being targeted by Hezbollah rocket fire as we speak, relentlessly. And it's the duty of any sovereign country to defend itself. So I --

SANDOVAL: Yes.

CONRICUS: -- I really hope that Lebanese civilians can stay clear of Hezbollah assets. The better they do, the better the situation would be, and the less casualties will have.

SANDOVAL: Jonathan, before we let you go, I mean, do you see Israel being able to wipe out Hezbollah this time around?

CONRICUS: You know, just like in Iran, real change comes from within. Israel will be able to inflict damage. And Israel, I think now is very intent on significantly degrading the military capabilities of Hezbollah. But at the end of the day, the future of Lebanon lies in Lebanese hands. Lebanon has a government.

Lebanon has a -- democratically elected leadership. It is their responsibility to do that. And it's in, I think, their interest to do so, because as the last Lebanese interviewee you showed said, Hezbollah is dragging Lebanon into war after war for the benefit of Iran, not for the benefit of Lebanon. And the sooner that they can take control over the country, reclaim sovereignty, the better for Lebanon.

And, you know, I've never said this before, and it isn't my first rodeo with Hezbollah, but this is actually the first time where I look at the military situation and I do see hope at the end of this process where maybe for the first time the Lebanese authorities with enough American, French support and Israeli action against Hezbollah, will finally be able to do what they need to do, and that is to reclaim their country. If they do, we can look at very positive developments. We don't have to do stories about war and destruction. We could do stories about coexistence, prosperity and dare I even say, peace. That could be the future if Hezbollah is, you know, taken, disarmed and if it's turned only into a political party and not as a militia that does dirty work for Iran and endangers Lebanon.

And I'm hopeful for the future. There's still a rough patch ahead, military patch, but I think at the end of it, good things could follow.

SANDOVAL: Without a doubt, peace remains out of reach, but we'll certainly see where the course takes us all. Jonathan Conricus, as always, thank you for your time. It's great to have you back on with us.

CONRICUS: Thank you.

SANDOVAL: We now have the names of the six American crew members killed when the refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. The Pentagon now identifying the fallen service members as Major John Klinner, Captain Ariana Savino, Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt, Captain Seth Koval, Captain Curtis Angst and Technical Sergeant Tyler Simmons. The incident is under investigation and the military says that it was not -- that crash was not the result of any hostile or friendly fire.

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And as the war with Iran rages in the Middle East, recent attacks in the U.S. they are shaking Americans sense of safety. We've got an in depth report and also some perspective from an expert. Stay with us. Don't go anywhere.

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SANDOVAL: Welcome back to our breaking news coverage of the war with Iran as that rages on. Recent attacks in the U.S. they are now shaking Americans safe -- sense of safety. Well, two separate incidents that happened on Thursday, they are now being investigated as terrorism. A deadly shooting and a targeted vehicle ramming. And just days earlier, two men accused of throwing IEDs during New York protests said that they were inspired by ISIS.

And Texas authorities say that a recent deadly shooting in Austin could have, quote, "a potential nexus to terrorism." CNN's Holmes Lybrand with more.

HOLMES LYBRAND, CNN REPORTER: Since the start of the conflict with Iran, several attacks have occurred inside the U.S. that are now being investigated potential acts of terrorism. While some members of Congress have voiced concern over potential Iranian sleeper cells, the issue now facing U.S. law enforcement is lone-wolf attacks. That threat, while not being new, brings with it significant challenges both in attempting to thwart such attacks and trying to predict where they might take place next. After Thursday's attacks, police departments across the U.S. ramped up patrols and security around places of worship, and they are all on high alert for similar attacks that might even be inspired by those two this Thursday.

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Now, when the conflict began with Iran, the FBI specifically tasked agents to keep close eyes on people of interest inside the country who might be activated or triggered by the Iran strikes. The threat of lone-wolf actors will continue to be a key concern for law enforcement as the conflict with Iran continues.

SANDOVAL: All right, our thanks to Holmes Lybrand for that report.

Let's keep this conversation going and head over to retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Richard Kolko.

Richard, glad you could join us.

RICHARD KOLKO, FBI SUPERVISORY SPECIAL AGENT (RET.): Thank you. Good evening.

SANDOVAL: So how elevated is the threat now that the regional war is basically having global consequences, in your view?

KOLKO: The threat is significantly elevated. We've seen those four attacks in two weeks. That's a horrific number so quickly. And I would say we can expect additional attacks into the future.

SANDOVAL: Do you think that the Trump administration should be taking some steps to perhaps even elevate the threat level in the United States? We know that they have certainly advised Americans to remain vigilant and take, you know, normal precautions. But do you think that there should be perhaps more coming from the White House to really emphasize what you just said?

KOLKO: Great question. I think that they're doing what they can. We know that the Joint Terrorism Task Forces early in this operation announced that they were going, you know, 24/7. As you said, they're reviewing all the ongoing cases, checking with their sources, seeing if there's any additional cases that need to be opened up, working with things like National Security Agency to see if there's any communications coming from overseas that are telling people to do things. And then of course, as you brought up the lone-wolf, the radicalization, the people sitting in their basements, in their homes, online or on gaming apps, talking to other people that may decide that they want to take action. That is the big concern as we sit here today.

SANDOVAL: Yes, no, I agree. And speaking to law enforcement officials, I'm often told that really is at the crux of their concerns, which is a concern over a lone actor unsanctioned attack. And Michigan's AG did say that there was a clear nexus between the Iran war and that attack that we saw play out at a mission -- at a Michigan synagogue. The suspect, a Lebanese born U.S. Citizen who had shared that he lost members to an Israeli strike in the Middle East. What would you say to people who see these kinds of cases, see these incidents, and they understandably would have amplified fears, especially if they're perhaps Jewish-Americans.

KOLKO: They should have amplified fears. It doesn't have to be just Jewish people because anybody can be caught up in this. What's happening, though, is we look at that radicalization. You want to talk about the attack in Michigan. Don't forget that late last year, there was an attack at a Mormon church where somebody did a very similar event, took a truck, drove through the church, killed four people with a rifle, died himself. I think there's a good chance that this person simply Googled how to do this kind of attack.

Same thing with the attack at Old Dominion University. Probably Googled that and saw the attack at Fort Hood back in 2009. Major Hasan wanted to kill people in the military. So this radicalization can go across the border here. How they're looking, how they're researching, how they're deciding to do things, very troubling and very difficult for investigators to find out about in advance.

We know that they've had some success when people start talking about doing these types of things. And that's because a lot of times you're using an undercover. If there's a transmission of information or data or moving money, something that investigators can sink their teeth into, actual good leads. But it is very difficult. But across the border -- across the board, Americans as a nation should be concerned about these terrorist attacks and more of them.

But as individuals, I don't want people leaving panicked lives. The chance of you being caught in an actual terrorist attack, very, very slim. So, you know, do the things as you just said, you know, situational awareness, if there's a protest or an event you don't want to be part of, get out of there. And of course, we've heard this now for decades, but it's true, if you see something, say something.

SANDOVAL: No, it's a great note -- it's a great note to end on here, Richard. Certainly live a normal life, but remain vigilant if you see something in your community to reach out to authorities.

Richard Kolko, former FBI agent, thank you so much for your expertise. Really appreciate your time.

KOLKO: Thank you.

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SANDOVAL: President Trump is asking the rest of the world for help securing that critical Strait of Hormuz as the war with Iran continues to disrupt global oil markets. With more on that story and more coming up.

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SANDOVAL: We'll go back to our breaking news coverage. I'm Polo Sandoval live in New York. And these are today's top stories. An anti- government protest broke out in central Cuban city on Saturday over frustrations with the ongoing energy crisis. Video from the protests showing people setting fire to and throwing rocks at a communist party office in the city of Moron.

Cuban president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, said on social media that violent protests would not be tolerated.

The head of the World Health Organization is condemning an Israeli strike on a health care center in Lebanon, calling it a war crime. Lebanese officials said on Saturday that at least 12 healthcare workers were killed in the attack in the country's south. The WHO leader says that more than two dozen other Lebanese health facilities have already been hit since the start of the war.

Ammunition impacts are being reported at several locations in central Israel at this hour. Israeli police say that bomb disposal experts are currently working to isolate and secure the impacted sites in Tel Aviv. There have been no reported casualties as of this moment. Earlier, the IDF said that it had identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel.

U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing for a global effort to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. The president earlier claimed on social media that other countries would be sending warships to join the region, but really none of those countries that he named have actually confirmed that they will be participating in this plan. Let's go now to CNN's Julia Benbrook for more.

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is a big area of focus right now as roughly 20 percent of the world's oil travels through the Strait of Hormuz. And President Donald Trump, he posted, commented about this several times over the weekend. I want to pull up one of those posts for you now.

In it, he said, in part, "Many countries, especially those who are affected by Iran's attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending warships in conjunction with the United States of America to keep the strait open and safe. We have already destroyed 100 percent of Iran's military capability, but it's easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine or deliver a close range missile somewhere along or in this waterway, no matter how badly defeated they are."

[00:35:21]

He added that he hopes, emphasis on hopes there, that China, France, South Korea and the United Kingdom would be sending ships. In the meantime, he says the United States will be bombing the shoreline. Now in a separate post, he reiterated his calls for other countries to help secure the shipping passage, saying that he believes this should have been a team effort the whole time and now it will be. He also said that the United States will help with coordination to make sure that this is done quickly, smoothly and well.

Now, this comes as Americans are directly feeling the impact here as there is a surge in gas prices. Trump has said that he is confident those prices will eventually go down. But this could be an attempt to ease some of those growing concerns. Iran's foreign minister has denied claims that the Strait of Hormuz has been completely closed, instead saying that it is blocking vessels with ties to the United States and Israel.

Traveling with the president in Florida, Julia Benbrook, CNN.

SANDOVAL: All right. For more now, I want to bring in Commander Sean Henseler. He's a retired U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General, a former U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer, and also the vice president of Fozzie Miller Group. Thank you so much for joining us.

COMD. SEAN HENSELER, JAGC, USN (RET.), FORMER USN INTELLIGENCE OFFICER & JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL: Thank you for having me.

SANDOVAL: It's our pleasure to have you here with us. So before we talk a little bit about the Strait of Hormuz, I'm wondering if we could also talk about Kharg Island. As you know, it did take a little under two weeks before the Trump administration carried out the attacks at -- on that critical -- on the island that's truly critical for Iran. Just going into the thinking that goes into launching these strike, I wonder why do you think that it took the Trump administration or why they waited perhaps to actually carry those attacks and go after military installations on those -- on that island?

HENSELER: Yes, I think it's obviously what we would call a decisive point. You know, 90 percent of Iran's oil exports flow through Kharg Island. And indeed, I think it's not commonly reported that they are still exporting oil now. You know, over a million barrels a day are moving through Kharg Island via their shadow fleet out through the streets of Hormuz and mostly to China. And so the idea of attacking the military sites only basically sends a message to Iran that we have certainly the capability to conduct those precision strikes.

And it's -- I think it's an attempt to put pressure on the Iranian leadership to, quote, unquote, "open the Straits of Hormuz." And I think that's what the president suggested that if you don't allow for the freedom of navigation to the states of Hormuz, the next step would be to, you know, bomb both the, you know, oil terminals and the oil holding facilities, which I think carries dangerous and risky second order effects.

SANDOVAL: So you see that as a realistic possibility that we could see in the future, Commander?

HENSELER: I think it's certainly a possibility. You know, we always talk about what's the desired effect of doing something. So if the desired effect of taking out the oil transfer facilities and holding facilities is to force Iranian leadership to open the Straits of Hormuz, I don't think it will have that effect. And military planners are always thinking about both the desired effect and the, you know, the second and third order effects or the unintended consequences. I think that it's very possible that if you did take out Kharg Island and that 90 percent of oil exports, I think it would make it much more likely that the Iranians would now mind the Strait of Hormuz and ramp up their strikes on critical infrastructure across the Gulf, basically saying, if we can't export oil, nobody's going to be able to export oil.

SANDOVAL: Right.

HENSELER: So I think that's one -- you know, I think -- also think global, you know, prices and insurance rates will spike again.

SANDOVAL: Yes, you took the words out of my mouth, but that's before even considering the global impact on oil prices.

Commander, I'd love to tap into both your sort of legal and military mind here just to talk a little bit about what the options would be to try to facilitate free navigating through the Strait of Hormuz. I mean, legally, what would the United States and perhaps even other nations, if they decide -- if they decide to respond to the president's call for help, actually have at their disposal?

HENSELER: Yes. So first of all, the idea of conducting convoy or escort operations through the Straits of Hormuz is not step one. Step one is to gain air and maritime superiority, you know, in and around the Straits of Hormuz, which is still being done, which means making it, you know, relatively less risky to send gray hauled ships through to escort these other merchant ships.

[00:40:10]

From a legal perspective, you know, in an armed conflict, you know, the United States is a belligerent, for example, France is not a belligerent. They're neutral. So France has a right to send a warship to escort neutral merchant vessels through the Straits of Hormuz. And the Iranians have a legal right then to visit and search, at least to request that the convoy commander state with authority there's no contraband coming in on these ships. And then they would -- you know, as a matter of law, be allowed to freely pass.

But, you know, the idea of putting a multinational coalition together during the middle of an armed conflict is a very difficult thing to do. And I'm not surprised that the nations that were listed essentially are suggesting or have not suggested they're willing to do it. France has hinted at it, but I think they're still weeks away from potentially sending forces to do anything like a convoy or escort mission.

SANDOVAL: Yes. In addition to the geopolitics and certainly the military angle, you remind us that there's also a legal layer to what's happening right now. Commander Sean Henseler, thank you so much for helping us explore that.

HENSELER: Thank you.

SANDOVAL: Well, countries across the Middle East, they are facing the deadly impact of the war in Iran. Kuwait is one of the nations that has currently come under missile fire and drone attacks. At least six Kuwaitis have already lost their lives, including a footballer turned soldier who died in a recent attack. CNN's Nic Robertson with this story.

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NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Everyone is talking about the cost of this war. Fuel prices going up, crude oil touching $100 a bar as Iran tries to shut down the Strait of Hormuz. But some have already paid a far higher price.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): Farhad Al-Majmad's relatives are among them. Their loved one buried in a cemetery reserved for Kuwait's heroes. Farhad was 33 years old, a major in Kuwait's border force, and died instantly, his family says, when an Iranian drone struck his vehicle four days ago. His brother Saud shows me a picture of Farhad's now fatherless three-month-old daughter. The hardest thing, he says, telling my mother.

SAUD AL-MAJMAD (through translator): I was trying to find a way around it. Saying he was injured, but the news was spreading. It was difficult. Sad. I pray we never relive it again.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): Kuwait has become the deadliest place from Iranian attack for service personnel in the Gulf so far, six U.S. service personnel killed and four Kuwaitis in separate incidents. Many, many more injured.

Farhad's first passion was soccer, captained his local team, played on the national squad. Five days before the war, he retired, played his last game, took his young daughter to see it, got a huge send off from adoring fans and players. He was a big deal in Kuwait.

AL-MAJMAD (through translator): Farhad was passionate about military life. He always wanted to defend his country. And what an honor it was.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): A few nights before the Iranian drone snatched his life, he sent this message to his family. Sleep safely and know we have your back. Kuwait's interior Ministry immediately made it a national slogan.

AL-MAJMAD (through translator): As devastated as I am over the loss of Farhad, I am also very proud of him. He was brave, ready to sacrifice his life, and he did sacrifice his life for his country.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): Farhad's funeral was national news. Hundreds came to show their respects, a much needed morale boost for his battered family. His mother the most grievously impacted they say.

AL-MAJMAD (through translator): The Gulf States were thrust into this war, which we had nothing to do with. My message is stop the war as soon as possible.

ROBERTSON: Long after the drones and missiles stop coming and the sirens fall silent and fuel prices go back to where they were, there will be homes here full of sadness, an empty place at the family table, knowing that when their nation called them, they paid the ultimate price.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Kuwait. (END VIDEOTAPE)

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SANDOVAL: And that is really just the latest in a series of stories about the human toll of this war just a few weeks in. We'll be right back with more.

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SANDOVAL: This destructive sandstorm hit tent camps sheltering thousands of Palestinians in southern and central Gaza. The storm struck Khan Younis in Gaza City on Saturday. Its strong winds destroyed makeshift homes and turned people's belongings into debris. And at the same time, sand actually buried essential supplies at the site. Palestinians have been living in these temporary encampments after being displaced during the conflict with Israel.

At least one person is dead and 18 others injured after Russia's latest strike in southern Ukraine. Local officials said on Saturday that Russian guided bombs hit the city of Zaporizhzhia. Video from the site showing volunteers helping people leave those damaged buildings after the strike. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that the U.S. wants to delay the next round of peace talks, prolonging uncertainty for all of these people.

The Ukrainian city of Odesa is regularly pounded by Russian strikes. Well, that has two dog trainers using their skills to teach dogs exactly how to search and rescue. They say that the demand for rescue dogs, it has actually gone up steeply since Russia's full scale invasion in 2022. Here's CNN's Lynda Kinkade with that story.

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LYNDA KINKADE (voice-over), CNN ANCHOR: A series of barks that signal for signs of life beneath the rubble in Ukraine. This is just a training session, but soon this dog will be working real search and rescue missions in the heavily bombed city of Odesa. It's all part of a project by two local dog trainers who decided to use their skills to help with Ukraine's war effort.

VITALLI CHERLAT, VOLUNTEER DOG TRAINER (through translator): Why not use dogs that have a talent for this? They enjoy it and they are necessary. We can do it, so why not?

KINKADE (voice-over): The pair say demand for search and rescue dogs has risen sharply since Russia's full scale invasion in 2022, with everyone from border guards to local residents turning to the couple for help. Though they say some dogs are more suited to training than others.

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CHERLAT (through translator): It was easy for us to retrain the dog to search for victims. They already had it in them. But starting from scratch, when a dog comes in at three, four or five years old it has been lying on the couch all these years and we want to turn it into a search dog right away, it's very difficult.

KINKADE (voice-over): For dogs who make the cut, they'll quickly find work combing the rubble of bombed out buildings in Odesa. Their training teaches them to bark when they find someone alive and lie silently when they detect a body. But the work takes a toll on both the dogs and their human counterparts.

HALYNA CHERLAT, VOLUNTEER DOG TRAINER (through translator): When you find them alive, badly injured even, but alive, that's great. If the person is no longer alive, it's still a relief that it's over, that it's reached some kind of conclusion.

KINKADE (voice-over): Lynda Kinkade, CNN.

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SANDOVAL: Formula 1, calling off upcoming races in two Middle Eastern cities. You can imagine why. The details coming up after the break. Stay with us.

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SANDOVAL: Back to CNN Newsroom, Formula 1, it is currently calling off upcoming races in the Middle East due to safety concerns because of the ongoing war with Iran. CNN World Sports Don Riddell with more.

DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: The war in the Middle East is starting to impact the international sports calendar in quite a big way and Formula 1 has announced that they're going to have to drop two of the races from their schedule. The news, which had been widely antic, came early on Sunday morning in Shanghai where the teams are preparing for the Chinese Grand Prix. The season's fourth race in Bahrain and the fifth race in Saudi Arabia will now not take place this year. Both countries have been sucked into the violence following the attacks launched by the USA and Israel on Iran two weeks ago. Those races would have been held in April, but the freight for those events would have had to be sent over there soon and there is no end to the hostilities in sight.

The president of motorsports world governing body Mohammed Ben Sulayem said, quote, "The FIA will always place the safety and wellbeing of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind. We continue to hope for calm safety and a swift return to stability in the region. And my thoughts remain with all those affected by these recent events." Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali echoed those sentiments.

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STEFANO DOMENICALI, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF FORMULA 1: Trough unfortunate situation and that was a decision that has to be taken considering exactly what is going on in that region. And as always when you have to take this action, it's not easy. You have to think of the bigger picture. But let me first of all thanks the FIA and the promoters who understood completely the situation. We took a joint decision together for the benefit of the sport.

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RIDDELL: So F1 will race this weekend in China and then again in Japan on March 29, after which there will be a five week break until the next scheduled race in Miami. The 24 race season will now become a 22 race season. Back to you.

SANDOVAL: We really appreciate you joining us the last hour of news. I'm Polo Sandoval in New York. Our breaking news coverage continues with my colleague Ben Hunt in just a moment.

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