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International Energy Agency Asks Member Countries to Release 400 Million Barrels of Oil into the Global Market; Attacks Escalate on Ships in Strait of Hormuz; Russia Helps Iran with Drone Tactics; IDF Warns of Southern Beirut Operations "In Coming Hours"; Trump Claims War Will End "Soon"; Displaced Lebanese Number at 600,000; Syria Deploys Military to Secure Border with Lebanon; Fears Grow for Iran's Women's Football Team. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired March 11, 2026 - 10:00 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 (voice-over): This is CNN breaking news.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): And welcome to the second hour of the show. This is CONNECT THE WORLD from our Middle East programming
headquarters here in Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Time is just after 6:00 in the evening.
And on what is the 12th day of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, a drastic move just proposed by the International Energy Agency. It is advising
member nations to release 400 million barrels of oil into the global market.
Now this coming amid clear indications that Iran is turning the Strait of Hormuz into a focal point of this conflict, weaponizing that crucial
waterway.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON (voice-over): These images that you are seeing now show a damaged Thai flagged vessel, for example, one of three around the strait that
reportedly have been attacked in recent hours.
Thailand's transport ministry says 20 of the 23 crew members on board were rescued. The other three are missing.
And sources tell CNN Iran's military has begun laying mines in the strait. The U.S. military releasing video of one of the 16 Iranian mine-laying
vessels that it says that it has destroyed.
Well, all of this is happening as Iran says it's launching its most intense operation of the war, targeting Israel and its Gulf neighbors and the U.S.
and Israel attacking Tehran and northern Iran.
Israel also striking what it says are Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, let's start with Zachary Cohen. He's back with us this hour from Washington.
And, Zach, what's the latest as we understand it, about this U.S. mission to demine the Strait of Hormuz and work toward some kind of naval escort
for the vessels that are sitting on both sides, pretty much stranded at this point?
ZACHARY COHEN, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Becky. President Donald Trump addressing this threat and this issue directly in a recent
Truth Social post, warning the Iranians that they must immediately remove any mines that that have been placed in the Strait of Hormuz or threatening
severe consequences if they fail to do so.
As you mentioned, U.S. Central Command also highlighting the fact that it has destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels.
But at the end of the day, it does remain unclear how the Trump administration plans to address the broader problem, not only of the mines
that have been placed and could potentially be placed in the strait itself but also the broader threat, asymmetric threat Iran presents in the Strait
of Hormuz specifically.
And it's the risks from things like the fast boats, the small fast boats that Iran has deployable; typically have explosives attached to the front,
carrying missiles and rockets. The threats from onshore missile launchers.
All these -- all these capabilities together really do present enormous risks, not just for the oil tankers and cargo ships that are currently
parked, waiting to gain entry to the Strait of Hormuz, but potentially any U.S. Navy ship that could be called upon to escort them through that
strategic waterway.
That's something that we have not seen the Trump administration order at this stage. No Navy ships escort missions have been conducted as of now.
And in part that's because of the risk associated with doing so.
Another piece of this, too, is even if the U.S. Navy were to conduct these operations, we know from past experience, most notably in the 1980s.
[10:05:05]
It's an open question as to whether or not they would be able to funnel or be able to move those hundreds of ships through the strait in any amount of
time that is relative. It could take years, essentially, based on estimates and comparisons to the past.
There's also private equity experts that are saying that it could wind up in a situation where the price and cost of a Navy escort operation will
exceed that of the cargo on board some of these ships. So several factors weighing into this decision making.
But president Trump obviously facing immense pressure to do something to break up the logjam at the Strait of Hormuz. And it's difficult for him to
ignore how this is impacting the global markets
ANDERSON: While I've got you, just heard from the head of U.S. Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper.
What is his latest update on this broader operation, Zach?
COHEN: Similar to what we've heard before but Admiral Cooper really highlighting how the U.S. continues to launch waves of strikes against
Iranian targets, highlighting the destruction of a manufacturing facility.
That's something that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Dan Caine, specifically emphasized yesterday that the U.S. is targeting Iran's oil infrastructure,
their manufacturing infrastructure.
So Admiral Cooper, highlighting that today in this video, as well as targeting ships that a class of ships Iranian ships that are named after
the former Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani, one who Donald Trump actually killed in a strike during his first term. But take a listen to what Admiral
Cooper said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADM. BRAD COOPER, COMMANDER, U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND: Just yesterday, we had strike waves nearly every hour from different locations and directions
going into Iran.
We also took out the last of four Soleimani class warships. That's an entire class of Iranian ships now out of the fight. I'd characterize our
strikes as being unpredictable, dynamic and decisive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COHEN: So while these U.S. military operations continue to intensify, we're learning that it's coming at a cost to the American taxpayer of about
$1 billion a day.
And, of course, the Pentagon revealing yesterday that somewhere around 140 U.S. Service members have been injured at this point, to this point in the
war, with obviously seven U.S. service members being killed.
ANDERSON: Zach, it's good to have you. Thank you.
That's reporting from Washington. Let me get you to Eleni Giokos, who is here with me in the studio.
We've been waiting for a decision by the International Energy Association (sic), the IEA, on whether it will advise countries to release some 400
million barrels of oil onto the market. They have; they've advised countries to do that.
This is hugely significant. We are just monitoring a press conference by Fatih Birol, who is the head of the IEA at present. We'll get that sound as
soon as we get it in. Just break this down for us.
ELENI GIOKOS, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: Yes. So 400 million barrels of oil into the global market. This is unprecedented. And I just want to give
you a comparison. This dwarfs the number that we saw during the Russia- Ukraine war, which is around 182 million barrels of oil.
Fatih Birol speaking there. And the IEA has released strategic reserves five times before this, including once in the Gulf War and a few times
during the Russia-Ukraine war and during other geopolitical issues.
But it just shows how unprecedented this is. But Fatih Birol also saying that, importantly, this is having such tectonic shifts in terms of oil
supply around the world and while a lot of people think, well, it's just exported to Asia in terms of the Strait of Hormuz shutting down, we're
talking about capacity that is, you know, exited the market.
We're talking about global oil prices. And we're also speaking about a lot of countries around the world that don't have strategic reserves over, say,
five days. We're seeing prices increasing dramatically in Africa.
You're seeing even gas prices in the United States increasing, despite the fact that the U.S. is an oil producer. So this impact that the IEA is
making by flooding the market essentially with oil is going to try and fill the gap that has been created by removing 20 percent of oil supply into the
market because of the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.
ANDERSON: So let's bring up the WTI crude oil price. It's 85 spot, about, and change, basically; it's 86, just less. That is about a 2.5 percent
higher and pushing higher. What I'm fascinated by is, if this was an attempt -- this wasn't an attempt to actually push the price lower.
I mean, I think I can tell you, you know, Donald Trump is likely to have wanted this to push the price lower. But this is not an attempt to push the
price lower. It was an attempt to get some oil onto the market while there is so little supply doing the rounds at this point.
I just wonder, I mean, this is -- this is -- you rightly made the point. I mean this is -- this is unprecedented.
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GIOKOS: It is.
ANDERSON: It is very unusual the IEA would do this.
How much more have they got to give as far as advice is concerned, do you think?
This is -- this is an Elastoplast at this point.
GIOKOS: It is --
ANDERSON: -- long term.
ANDERSON: No, it's not long term. I mean, for them to do this now, it's a drastic move in terms of shoring up supply because you've got supply
constraints that are a reality.
And we keep talking about, you know, how long is this going to last?
We're talking about the naval escorts. I was talking to one shipper and he was saying to me that, in terms of the destroyers that are required to just
get 5-10 tankers across the Strait of Hormuz, you'd need about eight destroyers.
So we're still not talking about normal volumes passing through the Strait of Hormuz until hostilities completely end. This is putting a plaster over
what is clearly going to be a very deep wound in the oil market.
And then trying to get oil supply back up, the oil price has been fascinating because we've been talking about the major volatility and the
big moves coming in. I think the market had already priced this in because there was word about the G7 releasing these strategic reserves.
Can they keep this up?
How long can it last?
Strategic reserves, Becky, are going to be depleted if this conflict doesn't end at some point
ANDERSON: And one analyst just earlier -- I mean this is -- this is clearly having an impact on global economies but very specifically on these
Asian markets. And it's the reason why we've seen such volatility in those markets, particularly over the past couple of sessions. Certainly some real
blood on the floor earlier on in the week.
Thank you for that.
All right. Look, we'll get Eleni back as she gets more on this story. I want to turn to Nick Paton Walsh now, who has exclusive CNN reporting on
Russia providing Iran with advanced drone tactics that it used during its war with Ukraine. He is joining us today from Jordan, where he is reporting
from.
Nick, just break down your reporting for us
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I mean, this is a key development, potentially.
According to a Western intelligence official I spoke to, Russia started out with what they refer to as more general support.
This official says it's now getting, quote, "more concerning."
And they're now giving drone targeting strategies that Russia employed in Ukraine. Now the official doesn't specify exactly what we're talking about
here. But we've seen Russia in Ukraine use waves of drones, sometimes 1,000 drones fired in one night at Ukraine.
They weave, seem to be going in one direction, head in another. I've seen them even on radars, doing loops in groups to make the job of air defenses
yet more complex. And every single week, the Russians learn something more about what the Ukrainians have got in air defense terms to take down the
Russian drones.
And the Ukrainians learn about Russian tactics. They talk about a six-week innovation cycle. It's an extraordinarily sophisticated fight every night
over the skies of Ukraine.
And what we are essentially talking about here is the possibility that the Russians have taken that three years of knowhow and sophistication and
handed it to Iran here in the past 10-11 days of the battle here.
Now that's key because we are seeing where you are, you know, near at the Emirates in Dubai, four injured from drones coming through. A lot of the
success of Iran's attacks seem to have revolved around the use of drones.
And so perhaps these tactics, advanced as they really are, constantly shifting as they are, helping them elude air defenses. We also know that
Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has said that Russia is assisting Iran with drones and, indeed, he sent experts to Gulf nations, including
here, Jordan, to assist with drone air defenses.
And look, remember, Ukraine has to take down these $30,000 Shaheds, mass- produced, is now mass producing $5,000 tiny interceptor drones that are proving very effective and certainly very cost-effective.
So it's a sign here, potentially, that we're seeing Russia moving from the early warnings we got from U.S. officials about exactly what they were
doing, providing satellite images, general assistance, to specific real- time, up-to-the-minute, battlefield-style tactical advice to the Iranians, according to this official that I spoke to.
The official also, too, sounded really concerned about the possibility of sea drone attacks against the U.S. carrier groups in that area as well and
also potentially the use of small dhow fishing boats to attack, too.
But a sense, I think, of this slowly expanding as a conflict, as we consistently hear the U.S. talking like they have their eyes on resolution
or the exit. But like we saw with Ukraine's war, the Russians and their ally, the Iranians, settling in here, potentially for something longer.
I should say we've reached out to the Kremlin for comment and not had a response. And they have previously denied providing the information,
assistance reported earlier on this week. But remember, too, the United States gave very useful intelligence and weapons to Ukraine in their war.
[10:15:03]
And perhaps this is Moscow trying to exact a price back, Becky
ANDERSON: Good to have you, Nick. Thank you.
We did hear from special envoy Steve Witkoff, asked very specifically about this on a U.S. network just last night. And we're going to have a listen to
that sound momentarily. I want to discuss all of these breaking developments with Benjamin Haddad. He is France's E.U. affairs minister. He
joins us live from Paris.
And I want to start with this breaking news just coming out, the G7 meeting with the International Energy Agency, that organization advising member
countries to release 400 million barrels of oil onto the global market.
How's France responding to that, sir?
BENJAMIN HADDAD, FRENCH MINISTER OF E.U. AFFAIRS: Well, as you know, today, the G7 leaders will be discussing measures to be taken on energy
issues and to also react, of course, to the security crisis.
Our priority has been clear, which is to build a coalition, to be able to keep the freedom of navigation and circulation in the Strait of Hormuz.
This is 20 percent of the flow of oil around the world.
We've had similar missions, actually. They've been quite successful. I'm thinking especially of the European mission at speeds (ph) in the Red Sea
to push back against the Houthis. France, Greece and others are major parts of that mission.
The French president Macron was in Cyprus on Monday to reassure and send a message of solidarity to our friends and allies of the European Union, who
have been attacked in this war.
Calling also on countries to build this coalition to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Other options are on the table when it comes to measures that
could be taken by the G7. As you know, France and European countries have strategic reserves of oil.
And we will also be looking at measures on a national level, especially to control any kind of opportunistic margin or speculation by distributors of
gasoline across the country. So this is something that the French government is looking at to make, to be able to control any kind of
speculative increase in price.
ANDERSON: Let me just -- let me just pick you up on French president Macron suggesting France and European leaders will send an escort mission
to the Strait of Hormuz.
Given the clear security threat of Iranian mines and ships being targeted, just how is France going to execute that mission?
Is it clear at this point?
HADDAD: Look, our priority in this war from the start has been very clear. We are not part of this war.
But we've been very clear about the destabilizing behavior of the Iranian regime, whether that's on nuclear proliferation, whether it's the support
for terrorist proxies across the region like Hezbollah or Hamas or whether it's the criminal repression we've seen of the peaceful demonstrators in
the month of January.
So we're looking for a radical change in the behavior from the regime and a de-escalation of tension. And we've taken measures to protect French
citizens in the region, to protect our partners and allies.
I was mentioning Cyprus but also countries like the UAE, Qatar or Kuwait with defensive, strictly defensive measures and build a coalition to keep
the Strait of Hormuz open.
Once again, you have examples nearby. I was mentioning the Red Sea, where we used to have strikes from the Houthis in Yemen, supported by Iran as
well. And we've built this international coalition the French is a part of, with frigates to keep the circulation open. This is a model of something we
could do in the Strait of Hormuz
ANDERSON: That's right. OK. And that may be called on, of course, because there are concerns that the Red Sea will become another front in all of
this. So it is to a degree good that the experience is there in building that coalition over the past couple of years.
You'll have heard my colleagues reporting that Russia is giving Iran specific advice on drone tactics. Now, given the increasing reliance, it
seems, by Iran on drones, witness the attacks here on the UAE that France is helping defend at this point, you're right to point that out.
And as a UAE resident, I support that and thank you for that.
How concerned do you believe or is France about this reporting of Russian intel sharing on this drone technology with Iran at this point?
HADDAD: Yes. Well, first, thank you for your words because it's very important for France to be a trusted and reliable ally and partner to our
friends.
And let me tell you about this report, I'll be frank. It would not be a surprise because Iran and Russia have been partners in crime for years. We
see Russian drones actually helping the Russian war.
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Iranian Shahed drones are helping the Russian war of aggression against Ukrainians on European soil.
We've seen also Russia and Iran prop up the murderous regime of Bashar al- Assad in Syria a few years ago in its repression against the civilian population.
And so now you see these reports. And let's be clear, by the way, that, as we are discussing the war today in the Middle East, every day Russia
continues its escalation in its war of aggression against Ukrainians. And this is something we should not forget. It's the security of Europeans
that's at stake.
We'll have a critical European Council next week in Brussels, where we need to finalize the 90 billion euro package of support from Europe to
Ukrainians, both economic and military support, that will give Ukrainians the visibility over the next couple of years to continue their heroic
resistance against the Russian war.
This is also key as we discuss this. But clearly, let's not lose focus on Russia's threat, on Russia's war and on the partnership between Russia and
Iran. In this respect, we have Iranian drones flying in the -- fly in the sky of Ukraine.
ANDERSON: Yes. I want to just get our viewers -- and perhaps you, if you haven't heard it, Steve Witkoff's rather stunning comments when asked about
reports suggesting that Russia is providing intelligence support to Iran. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WITKOFF: I can tell you that yesterday on the call with the president, the Russians said that they have not been sharing. That's what they said. So
you know, we can -- we can take them at their word.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: "We can take them at their word."
I mean, what goes through your mind hearing that?
HADDAD: Look, I will not comment on other people's comment or anything but I will be, once again, look just at the facts of the Iranian support for
the Russian war of aggression against Ukrainians, of the fact that Russia has not engaged in any sincere or meaningful way into the diplomatic track
that we support.
That has been led by our U.S. allies. Russia continues regularly to bomb infrastructure, to bomb civilians, to continue its escalation in Ukraine
and, at some point, clearly, we'll have to continue to increase the pressure on Vladimir Putin's regime to be able to force him back to the
negotiation table and in a sincere way.
This is why, by the way, the European level, as I said, we need to finalize the 90 billion euro package of support to Ukraine. We need to finalize the
20th sanctions package to continue to increase the pressure on Russia's energy sector. But this is this is really key. And this is -- this should
be a priority both for Europeans and the United States.
ANDERSON: That's right. Challenging times, as I listened to what you are under, underscoring as far as sort of, you know important elements on all
of these conflicts are concerned.
Given France's close ties with Lebanon, I do want to ask; Paris has voiced its deep concerns over the escalating violence there and urged Israel not
to launch a ground intervention or large-scale operation there.
And what leverage do you have to prevent that at this point?
How concerned are you that, frankly, that is feasible at this point?
HADDAD: Yes. No, you are right; France and Lebanon have strong historical ties. We care very deeply about this relationship with Lebanon. And we've
been very clear. Hezbollah once again has brought Lebanese civilians into a war that it should not be part of with its attack on Israel while bringing
this war.
So what we want to do and, at the same time, the French president has urged very clearly the Israeli leaders not to launch a ground offensive that
would be counterproductive. So our priority number one, first, is to de- escalate and to provide humanitarian support to the Lebanese civilian population.
And this is why we've announced 60 additional tons of humanitarian support, whether that's medical support, whether that's emergency housing to the
displaced Lebanese civilian population that is going through this drama.
Our second priority is to continue and increase the support for the Lebanese government, the Lebanese authority, to be able to take back the
full control of the territorial integrity and territory of Lebanon.
Let's be honest, we've seen very brave and courageous statements from the Lebanese authorities recently, blaming Hezbollah and outlawing the armed
and security branch of Hezbollah.
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This is a major step that everyone needs to support. This is why we will continue to support the Lebanese armed forces with military and economic
support. And this is something that allies should rally behind, to make sure that they can take back control, especially in the south of Lebanon,
where Hezbollah continues to hold territory
ANDERSON: Benjamin Haddad, it's good to have you. Thank you. You and I started by discussing the announcement just moments ago by the IEA advising
member countries to release strategic oil reserves to the tune of some 400 million barrels.
And a final word on our breaking news from the top of this hour, then. Thank you, sir.
The executive director of the International Energy Agency, speaking moments ago about that recommendation to release a record amount of oil reserves.
Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FATIH BIROL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY: I can now announce that our countries have unanimously decided to launch the largest-
ever release of emergency oil stocks in our agency's history.
IEA countries will be making 400 million barrels of oil available. I repeat, 400 million barrels of oil available to the market, to offset the
supply loss through the effective closure of the strait.
This is a major action, aiming to alleviate the immediate impacts of the disruption in markets. But to be clear, the most important thing for a
return to stable flows of oil and gas is the resumption of transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, that was Fatih Birol, who is the chief at the IEA.
Right. Still to come, a CNN team in northern Iran reports major overnight airstrikes. What our own Fred Pleitgen and Claudia Otto, his PJ producer,
are seeing and hearing in his brand new reporting from the ground. That is just ahead.
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ANDERSON: I want to get you up to speed on the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran.
Mourners stopped to gather in Tehran for a funeral procession honoring Iranian military officials killed in recent strikes. The ceremony comes as
Tehran launches what it calls its most intense operation of the war yet.
The overnight attack involved missile launches against targets in Israel and U.S. assets in the region. Tehran also stepping up efforts to disrupt
oil shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The maritime authority that monitors the strait says at least three ships have been attacked in recent hours.
[10:30:04]
And sources tell CNN that Iran's military has started to place mines in that critical waterway.
We want to get you on the ground in Iran then. Let's get you more on the latest strikes. CNN's Fred Pleitgen is in northern Iran -- excuse me. CNN
operates in Iran with the permission of the Iranian government, as required under local regulations, but maintains full editorial control over what it
reports.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The U.S. and Israel's massive aerial campaign seems to be continuing in full swing.
Overnight, in the position that we were, we heard jets streaking overhead and then massive explosions in the distance.
It's unclear what exactly the target was of that aerial raid that we witnessed. But certainly it wasn't the only one in the past 24 hours. In
Tehran, the Iranian capital, there were major airstrikes also overnight and into the morning hours.
Some of the targets appeared to have been in the east of the city and east of Tehran. That's an area that's gotten hit quite a lot over the past
couple of days.
But then also, once again, the area around Mehrabad airport, that's the second airport of the Iranian capital that is very much within the city
limits.
Also outside of Tehran, there's a satellite town called Karaj, which has been hit in the past couple of days quite frequently and apparently was now
hit once again.
All this comes as the Iranian government is trying to project that it is in a strong position in its standoff with the U.S. and Israel. The Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is, of course, the elite wing of Iran's military, sent out a text message to people here inside Iran, detailing the
costs to the United States of the ongoing war with Iran.
The Iranians trying to say that they are the ones who are now in the driver's seat. Meanwhile, politicians here in Iran continue to say that,
right now, the Iranians are not interested in negotiations with the United States and instead are gearing up for what could be a very long war -- Fred
Pleitgen, CNN, in northern Iran.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: I want to get you a view, then, from Israel. CNN's Jeremy Diamond live in Tel Aviv for you.
Jeremy, what's the perspective there?
What do we know?
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Well, as Iran is saying that it launched its heaviest operation of this war so far, we certainly
witnessed multiple barrages of ballistic missiles being fired by Iran toward central Israel.
We could hear several of those interceptions taking place in what appear to be larger barrages than what we've become accustomed to in recent days,
where we have seen barrages as small as just one single missile being fired by Iran.
However, we haven't seen any reports of direct impacts as a result of those missiles, at least not in civilian or populated areas. Sometimes there are
strikes, of course, on military facilities which we are not aware of and are restricted on reporting on due to Israel's censorship requirements.
But what we can say is that, beyond the missiles that were targeted here at Israel, Iran also firing a drone that struck a U.S. diplomatic facility on
the outskirts of Baghdad in Iraq.
And we are, of course, witnessing as Iran is continuing to try and get through Israel's air defenses, including by using these cluster munitions
that are fixed onto the top of these ballistic missiles.
Israel, for its part, continuing to carry out air strikes in Iran, including in the capital city of Tehran, where Iran's Red Crescent Society
reported strikes in residential areas. We've also seen the Israeli military continuing to carry out waves of airstrikes in Lebanon, including striking
a high-rise building in the Lebanese capital of Beirut.
And the Israeli government is trying to ready the public here for a prolonged campaign. We heard from the Israeli defense minister, Israel
Katz, earlier today, saying that this operation will proceed without any time limit, saying that it will continue until Israel reaches all of the
goals and decisively wins this campaign.
And he is clearly still listing the goal of regime change within that category, saying, talking about the fact that Israel is trying to enable
the conditions on the ground in Iran for the Iranian people to rise up and overthrow their regime.
But, of course, so far, almost two weeks into this campaign, we've seen no evidence that it is fomenting that kind of popular revolt in Iran that
Israeli officials would so very much like to see. Becky
ANDERSON: Jeremy, good to have you. It's just after 4:30 in the afternoon there, just after 6:30 in the afternoon here in the Gulf.
President Donald Trump has just told Axios reporter and CNN analyst Barak Ravid that the war with Iran will end soon, claiming there's practically
"nothing left to target" -- and I quote him here -- and reiterating that the decision to end the conflict will be his call, quote, "little this and
that.
[10:35:03]
"Any time I want it to end it will end," he told Axios in a brief phone interview.
Trump adding, "The war is going great. We are way ahead of the timetable. We have done more damage than we thought possible even in the original six-
week period."
So the very latest, as being reported by Axios, Barak Ravid just talking to Donald Trump. He does this periodically, picks up the phone to reporters.
As we get his latest thoughts, we get them to you. We will be right back
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): This is CNN breaking news.
ANDERSON (voice-over): And welcome back to CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson, from our Middle East programming headquarters here in Abu
Dhabi. Here are your headlines this hour.
The International Energy Agency says member nations will release 400 million barrels of oil into the global market. That is a drastic move and
it comes amid more signs that Iran is trying to lock down that crucial waterway, the Strait of Hormuz.
Well, at least three ships in that area have been attacked in recent hours, including this Thai flagged vessel. Three of these ships, 23 crew members,
are missing.
The U.S. military says it has destroyed several Iranian naval ships, including 16 minelayers, near that strait. Sources say Iran has started
laying mines across the critical waterway.
In a CNN exclusive report, we are now learning that Russia is providing Iran with a new level of support when it comes to specific advice on drone
tactics. That's according to a Western intelligence official.
And it comes as Iranian-designed Shahed drones, mass produced by Moscow for use in Ukraine, have been unexpectedly successful in penetrating Gulf
nation defenses.
Israeli strikes have killed an average of 10 children in Lebanon every day over the past week according to UNICEF. More than 600,000 people are said
to be displaced as Israel continues its bombing campaign there.
The Lebanese president is calling for direct talks with Israel to try to reach a ceasefire, accusing both Israel and Hezbollah of, in his words,
attempting to "corner" the country. My next guest is Maha Yahya. She's the director of the Carnegie Middle East Center and she joins us now live from
Beirut.
And what is the latest that you're seeing on the ground there?
I just want to start, if we can, lest we forget that, you know, all of what is going on around this region and including in Lebanon is really
impacting, you know, the regular people of the country.
[10:40:06]
How are they coping and what are they bracing for at this point?
MAHA YAHYA, DIRECTOR, MALCOLM H. KERR CARNEGIE MIDDLE EAST CENTER: Good afternoon, Becky. Thank you for having me.
Look, it's catastrophic, honestly. People are bracing for the worst. There are reports of potential larger military operation that the IDF is
planning. It's being reported in the press and they're talking about it.
Already it's more than 700,000 people who've been displaced. Half a million were ordered evacuated in the space of a few hours from the southern
suburbs of Beirut. I think something like 100 towns were also ordered to be evacuated in less than 24 hours. So the numbers are huge.
And the levels of destruction are worse than what we've seen before. And people have entered into this and already fatigued by, you know, the
constant war since for the past 2.5 years. So the -- and it's a country that already was suffering from an acute economic and financial crisis.
So it doesn't quite have the tools to be able to deal with all of this without international support. So people are worried about is we've
entered, we've become a, Lebanon has become a battlefront part of Israel- U.S. Iran conflict. Its fate is tied to that conflict in one way or the other --
ANDERSON: Yes.
YAHYA: -- with minimal resources to be able to (INAUDIBLE).
ANDERSON: If it's possible to look forward at this point, let's do that. And I know that's very difficult. It must be very difficult for those who
are sitting in Lebanon at the moment, wondering what happens next. Obviously, these threats of this ground offensive by the IDF.
It is somewhat remarkable that the Lebanese president has called out Hezbollah and specifically called out their military wing, saying he's
having none of it anymore. And, you know calling them out completely. He's also called for direct talks with Israel.
I mean, what's your sense of whether or not an agreement could be reached at this point?
YAHYA: Look, the frame of reference in Lebanon, there's been a seismic shift that I don't think people are taking and paying enough attention to,
at least international powers are paying enough attention to.
To have a government take a decision to outlaw Hezbollah's military activities and consider them prosecutable by law, where the vote in that --
on that decision was undertaken by ministers from all the different religious and sectarian denominations in the country.
Including members of the Shia community, is a massive shift in perceptions and in the way the country internally is dealing with this and looking
forward to dealing with this.
Now is it possible to reach a peace deal with Israel?
Yes. But not immediately. Of course. A, you need to have a willing partner on the other side. B, I don't think it's possible to do it while the
country's being bombed on a daily basis.
The levels of destruction we're seeing far worse than 2024 and finally the decision to go to war to begin with on the part of Hezbollah came from the
IRGC in Iran. In -- the IRGC has gone from managing this conflict at the macro level to a micro management.
ANDERSON: Maha, as we consider the southern border of Lebanon and what may happen next?
I mean, you're absolutely right to point out the seismic shift in outlawing Hezbollah and its military wing from those parliamentarians across the
board, as you have just described. I do also want to concentrate on the northern border of Lebanon.
There are reports of Syrian troops amassing to secure its border with Lebanon.
What is your sense of that and whether Syria might indeed get involved at this point?
YAHYA: It's very difficult to tell. At least our working theory right now, I mean, they want to prevent a spillover of refugees into Syria. So we've
seen a flow of refugees into Syria but it's been predominantly Syrians who have been going back. Or it could be Lebanese married to Syrians but no
Lebanese.
[10:45:03]
We haven't seen an outflow of people from Lebanon in the way we saw in 2024 or in 2006, during Israel's war with Lebanon at the time. So that's one
dynamic. I think they say they want to prevent any kind of arms smuggling to Hezbollah coming into Lebanese territory.
And I think there is significant military and intelligence cooperation between the agencies on both sides of the border. There have been
conversations between President Sherrill and President Aoun, the prime minister and the president, prime minister Hallab (ph) and President
(INAUDIBLE).
One assumes that there is significant cooperation and the Syrians really would not want to get involved in the Lebanese quagmire.
Now some of the press here in Lebanon and some of the rumor mill is saying, well, you know there might -- Syrian forces may enter the Bekaa Valley in
order to help Israel with whatever campaign it has there and partly to as a revenge against Hezbollah.
I really don't think that the current Syrian government would want to go in that direction. They have enough on their hands to rebuild in Syria
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: Yes. Maha Yahya, it's always good to lean into your deep understanding of that part of the world. You always provide us excellent
analysis, which helps us to provide our viewers with the kind of wider perspective around what is a very challenged and challenging region at this
point. Thank you so much.
Still to come on CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson, what Australia is doing to protect the remaining members of the Iranian women's football
team after one woman changed her mind about seeking asylum
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ANDERSON: One of the seven women from the Iranian football team who sought asylum in Australia on Tuesday has now changed her mind and decided to
return home. That decision prompted officials to quickly move the other six team members to a secret location.
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TONY BURKE, AUSTRALIAN HOME MINISTER: Making that decision, she'd been advised by her teammates and coach to contact the Iranian embassy and to
get collected.
It meant that the Iranian embassy now knew the location of where everybody was. I immediately gave the instruction for people to be moved and that's
been dealt with immediately.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, fears intensified for the team after Iranian state media branded them traitors for staying silent as their national anthem played
ahead of the first match at the Asian Cup last week.
[10:50:02]
Christina Macfarlane, my colleague in London, has been reporting on this story as it's developed all week.
What more can you tell us at this point?
And as I understand, you've new developments with the Iran's -- with Iran's men's soccer team as well. So let's start with the women.
CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we'll get to the men in just a second.
So Becky, the player in question here is 21-year old Mohadeseh Zulfi. We had actually just seen images of her posted on Tony Burke's social media
account -- Tony Burke you saw just there -- celebrating the fact that she had decided to stay in Australia just last night.
And we don't really know what has prompted this reversal from Zulfi but there are a couple of possibilities. I think chief among them would be the
concern for the safety of her family. We know that the families of the players were threatened on state TV earlier this week.
It could also be concern, of course, for starting afresh in a new country where she doesn't speak a new language. The fear that comes with that. But
it could also be because the head of Iran's state head of Iran's football federation, went on state TV last night with a very different tone.
He said that players who return home will now not receive punishment. According to him, he said the players who boarded the plane home allegedly
refused to engage with Australia's governments attempts to offer asylum, something that he called commendable.
I mean, that is a very different tone to what we heard earlier in the week on state TV when these players were labeled traitors. Again, we'd heard
that their families were being threatened.
And in the midst of this, Becky, we saw the rest of the Iran women's team arrive in Kuala Lumpur last night. Now I was told by a source this morning
that the plan is for these players to go back to Iran via Turkiye. But that that plan is currently on hold because the team can't figure out how to
complete that final leg.
I'm sure owing to the fact that were in the midst of a war and it's a very dangerous trip to make.
Just a brief mention on the men there Becky. Obviously, with less than 100 days to go until the World Cup, thoughts are turning to whether Iran's men
will compete in the tournament.
And last night, Gianni Infantino posted on X that he had been in contact with Donald Trump, that he'd met with him last night to discuss this and
that Donald Trump had reiterated that the Iranian team is welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.
That is a very different message to the one we heard last week, where Donald Trump said, I really don't care if they come or not. But it may
ultimately be taken out of Donald Trump's hands if Iran themselves choose to withdraw.
And we heard again from the Iranian football president last night that he would not, in his view, allow Iran's men to be coerced in the same way the
women had. So this is obviously a story we're going to continue to watch.
ANDERSON: Yes it's good to have you, Christina. Thank you so much for that.
You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson. We will be right back
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ANDERSON: All right, just before we finish out this hour for you, I just wanted to take you back to these U.S. markets. Look, I mean, all eyes have
been back on the oil price today. It is on the rise. Not as high as it's been, obviously.
At the beginning of this week, we had oil at around 120 bucks on the barrel. I think Brent's trading around 93 at the moment. That is WTI 86 and
Brent a little bit higher than that. Both these markets though are up today.
We've had two bits of news, I think, which are important today. The International Energy Agency has said, advised its member states -- and
there's an awful lot of those -- to release some 400 million barrels of oil onto the market.
[10:55:07]
Of course, the Strait of Hormuz at the moment impassable for most traffic. And the oil markets therefore really not moving at all. So getting some oil
on the market is important. I have to say the price didn't respond much to that news. We were keeping an eye on it.
The other news, I think, just out in the past hour is the president, Donald Trump, has spoken again to, as he is wont to do these days, to a reporter;
this time, Axios' Barak Ravid. He's also a CNN analyst.
And he's told Barak that the war will, with Iran will end, quote, "soon, claiming there is, and I quote him again here, "practically nothing left to
target."
And reiterating, according to Barak, that the decision to end the conflict will be his call and his call alone. That is from Donald Trump. Quote,
"little this and that. Any time I want it to end, it will end."
And he told Axios all of that in a very brief phone interview. During this war, he added, "The war is going great. We are way ahead of the timetable.
We've done more damage than we thought possible even in the original six- week period."
Well, that's a picture. The image on Wall Street -- sorry; on -- out of Washington for you. That's the White House.
I'm Becky Anderson. We're here in the UAE with CONNECT THE WORLD for you. Stay with CNN. "ONE WORLD" is up next
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