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Drones Hit Airport in Azerbaijan, Iran Denies Launching Attack; Israel Launches New Strikes on Iran and Lebanon; Iran State Media Reports, 182 People Killed in Strike on Girls' School. Aired 10-10:30a ET

Aired March 05, 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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PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, breaking news, attack on Azerbaijan and a first since the start of the war, Iranian drones striking the airport, brand new video just into The Situation Room.

Plus, explosions over Qatar caught on camera, CNN's crews on the ground with the late reporting.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Also Americans killed. What we're learning this morning about the six brave U.S. service members and how they're being remembered.

And escalating war, the United States vowing to strike deeper and deeper into Iran, new video showing Iranian missile launchers being destroyed. CNN is now the only U.S. network in the country of Iran this morning.

Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer with Pamela Brown, and you're in The Situation Room.

BROWN: We are following multiple breaking news stories right now. CNN is inside Iran, our Fred Pleitgen on the ground. We are the first U.S. network there since the war started. His special report straight ahead.

Also this morning, there are new questions about a strike on a girls' school in Iran that killed at least 182 people. The Trump administration is now responding.

Plus, GOP leaders are refusing to call this a, quote, war, even though the president, defense secretary and secretary of state are.

And shocking video of an anti-war protester as you see dragged out of a Senate hearing. The incident left him and several officers injured. You can see his arm getting stuck in the door jamb. We'll show you what led to this moment.

BLITZER: But let's begin this hour with all the breaking news. The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is apparently expanding yet again. This morning key, U.S. ally Azerbaijan is accusing Iran of launching new strikes just north of Iran's border. Videos like this circulated on social media and geo-located by CNN capture the moment drones struck an airport and injured two people. Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is demanding an explanation from Iran, but Tehran denies being responsible.

The U.S. Military Central Command has just released new video this morning. Here's video of the U.S. strikes on Iran's military air facilities and aircraft, and here are Iranian missile launchers being destroyed. CENTCOM says its forces are hunting and destroying the mobile launchers with, quote, lethal precision, end quote.

And look at this dramatic video. It captures the moment that an Israeli F-35 fighter jet shot down an Iranian warplane, a Russian plane, over Tehran yesterday.

Our Senior International Correspondent Fred Pleitgen and his team have crossed the border into Iran, and we have to point out that CNN operates in Iran only with government permission. Here's CNN Fred Pleitgen's report.

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FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We just crossed the border and are now inside of Iran. The Iranian government has granted us a visa to come here and to report from the Islamic Republic of Iran. We're now trying to make our way to the capital, Tehran, as fast as possible, but, of course, the distances in this huge country are immense, and we know it's going to take many, many hours for us to get there.

We also don't know what the situation on the road to Tehran is going to look like, how many checkpoints there's going to be. And, of course, we know at the same time there are massive combat operations also going on.

The United States and Israel are continuing their huge aerial campaign against targets inside of Iran. At the same time, the Iranians continue to retaliate, not just with their ballistic missiles, but with their drones, mostly hitting Israel, but then also American military installations, especially in the Gulf region, but in general in the Middle East.

In total, the Iranians are saying that they can continue this campaign for a very long time. They say that their missile arsenal is still immense and they haven't even used some of their most modern missiles.

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But we also, of course, know that the place that we aim to go to, Tehran, has been under almost sustained attacks with massive airstrikes going on there, and also huge damage being caused, and, of course, many people also having been harmed.

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BLITZER: All right. That was Fred Pleitgen, who is now inside Iran for CNN. We'll stay in close touch with him. Pamela?

BROWN: And, Wolf, breaking this morning, Israel says it has launched strikes across Iran's capital. These right here are Israeli Air Force fighter jets en route to strike in Iran, and Israel says it's facing a fresh barrage of missiles from Iran today.

So, let's go live now to see's Nick Paton Walsh and Tel Aviv. Nick, you have some new reporting on the large evacuations right out of Lebanon, right?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes. I mean, startling developments in the last hour or so, the Israeli Defense Force saying that they want to see the southern suburbs of Beirut, Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold, but looking at the map, this seems to be a little more than areas you'd normally associate with that Lebanese militant group. They want to see an immediate evacuation.

That is obviously causing utter panic of the possibly up to half a million people who live in that area, yes, displaced in late '24 when the Israelis went for Hezbollah the first time, but a startling sense of the scope may be of what may be ahead in Lebanon at this point.

And a voice here in Israel, an influential one, the finance minister, Bezalil Smotrich, part of sort of the security influencing decisions here at a very high level, has said that the ambition may be to turn Dahieh Khan Younis, referring to the city in Gaza so heavily destroyed by the Israeli campaign over the past years. So, while this is not policy, it certainly, of course, is feeding the, inordinate anxiety amongst ordinary Lebanese, disconnected to Hezbollah that something horrific may indeed be ahead.

At the same time, Israeli jets hitting 40 targets inside of Iran. In Tehran, missile bunkers, the ballistic missiles, their defense missiles hit, they say, as well in this, what they call the 12th wave. An Iranian human rights group based in the United States putting this morning the death toll at 1,100, amongst those in the crossfire here inside of Iran.

At the same time as well, we are hearing that there are multiple strikes this morning across the region here. Six injured after drones were intercepted in Abu Dhabi and United Arab Emirates. 14 missiles launched at Doha, in Qatar, where there is a significant U.S. base. 13 intercepted says the Qatari government. And you mentioned too Azerbaijan, its southern airport, one of its southern airports here, hits by two drones, injured there. And, of course, if you look at some of the air traffic maps here, a lot of diverted craft here and the current air traffic crisis goes through Azerbaijan, whether that was an intention of this, unclear. And Saudi Arabia hits as well.

So, continued intercepts behind us here over recent hours, no sign of casualties inside of Israel, but a startling morning of fast developments here.

BROWN: Just to follow up with you, is there any indication that Iran is launching any rockets into Jerusalem?

WALSH: At this point, we've seen a number of alerts across Israel. They have so far resulted in intercepts behind me here. We've not seen specifically Jerusalem as a significantly focused target here, but certainly across Israel, the alerts have been coming during the day. At this point though, on the current information we have, no injuries as a result.

BROWN: All right. Nick Paton Walsh, thank you so much. Wolf?

BLITZER: And thanks from me as well.

As this war clearly is widening right now, Iran is launching retaliatory strikes across the entire Gulf region. Today, Qatar's defense systems intercepted a barrage of Iranian missiles over Doha, the capital. That was around noon local time. CNN staff on the ground reporting that the interceptions rattled buildings across the entire city.

Let's go live right now to Bijan Hosseini in Doha for us. Bijan, what did you see and hear today, you're there on the scene for us, those interceptions that as they were taking place?

BIJAN HOSSEINI, CNN SENIOR PRODUCER: Yes, Wolf. As you said, a barrage. It was loud. We saw that it was happening right above our heads, as you said, just around midday. And I'm calling it a missile attack because that's how Qatar's Ministry of Defense referred to it. It was very long and sustained. We've been here live for six days in this position. That is by far the loudest and the closest series of interceptions that we've experienced personally.

Nick alluded to this earlier, but the ministry just over an hour ago confirming 14 ballistic missiles successfully intercepting 13 of those. On top of that, though, there was also four drones, all of which were intercepted, according to the Ministry of Defense.

This comes after the Ministry of Interior last night ordering residents near the U.S. embassy in Doha to evacuate.

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We actually had a member of CNN staff that got a knock on their door last night by police around 3:00 in the morning asking for him and his family to evacuate. They did so safely. They later were allowed to return about two hours later. Police saying they were, you know, comfortably out of that security perimeter they had set up. For reference, he lives four kilometers away from the embassy.

But, obviously, last night was just a series of precautionary measures, the ministry said. We know that people near the embassy didn't hear or see any interceptions taking place last night, but clearly a different story happening above us today.

BLITZER: A very quick question, Bijan, before I let you go. I know there are a lot of Americans in Doha, Qatar, right now. Are they able to get out? Are there flights available, charters, military planes, commercial aircraft, anything that's allowing them to leave?

HOSSEINI: Yes, Wolf. We talked to a lot of tourists trapped here yesterday, including one American. The government saying they believe there's 8,000 passengers that were transiting through that are stuck here. We know Qatar Airways earlier this morning, the national airline of the country, they announced that they would resume flights in a limited capacity, but only from Muscat and Riyadh. Nothing flying out of Qatar, that airspace remains closed. An update won't come until tomorrow at the earliest. So, those passengers here still stuck and stranded.

BLITZER: All right. Bijan Hosseini, our CNN reporter on the scene for us, stay safe over there. We'll stay in close touch with you. Thank you very, very much.

BROWN: And, Wolf, questions are growing after a strike on a girl school in Iran. Iranian state media is now reporting that 182 people were killed in that strike. At least 168 of those were elementary school children. CNN has not been able to independently verify this death toll.

BLITZER: There are rows and rows of graves for those killed, and this is the aftermath of that strike. Deaths now scattered with dust and rubble, brightly painted classrooms now empty.

BROWN: And right here, these are children's backpacks left at the scene as you see some covered with blood still filled with books and papers for children that are now dead.

The Trump administration says it's investigating whether it was a U.S. strike that hit this school.

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PETE HEGSETH, DEFENSE SECRETARY: All I know -- all I can say is that we're investigating that. We, of course, never target civilian targets, but we're taking a look at investigating that.

KAROLINE LEAVITT, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The Department of War is investigating this matter, and I would just tell you very strongly, the United States of America does not target civilians, unlike the rogue Iranian regime that targets civilians.

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BLITZER: A man in Tehran says that even if strikes are intended for military target, civilians are still paying a price. Listen.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: those who truly want to see what's happening in Iran can come and see where they have struck, see whether they hit residential areas, schools, or hospitals. Of course, they have hit military targets. That's the basis of the war they started. But they didn't only hit military targets. They can come and see for themselves. (END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: This right here is a makeshift memorial in Tehran for those killed at the school, backpacks, burned pages, pencil cases, a reminder of the 182 people killed according to Iran.

BLITZER: So sad, indeed. And still ahead, Pam --

BROWN: We're now learning more about the Americans killed in the Iranian strike on a makeshift operation center in Kuwait. We will bring you their stories.

BLITZER: Plus, inside Iran, how Iranians are reacting to this war. You'll hear directly from them. That's all coming up right here in The Situation Room.

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BROWN: We are learning more about the six Americans killed in an Iranian airstrike at a makeshift operation center in Kuwait. The U.S. military has now identified all of them.

This is Major Jeffrey O'Brien. He was a computer engineering graduate from Iowa State University and had been in the reserves for 17 years. His aunt described him as, quote, the sweetest blue-eyed, blonde farm kid you'd ever know. Adding war is real. Loss is real. He is so missed already. Love you forever, Jeff.

BLITZER: And Major O'Brien leaves behind a wife and three kids.

And this is Chief Warrant Officer Three Robert Marzan. His sister described him as a strong leader who lived by example, adding, my baby brother, you are loved. And I will hold on to all our memories and cherish them always in my heart.

BROWN: The Pentagon said final positive identification by a medical examiner is still pending, but that he was present at the scene and believed to have been killed.

And the Pentagon had previously identified Captain Cody Khork, Sergeant First Class Nicole Amor, Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens, and Sergeant Declan Coady.

BLITZER: And we send our deepest, deepest condolences to their families. May they rest in peace and may their memories be a blessing.

And as the U.S. and Israel conduct new strikes in this expanding war against Iran, Iran is being accused of expanding its retaliatory strikes even further with a drone attack on neighboring Azerbaijan, an important U.S. ally.

I want to bring in retired U.S. Admiral James Stavridis. He's a CNN Senior Military Analyst, the former NATO supreme allied commander and a vice chairman of the Carlisle Group, an investment firm here in Washington.

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Thanks to you very much, Admiral, for joining us.

First of all, give us your read of what Azerbaijan says was an Iranian drone attack on its territory, something Iran is denying.

ADM. JAMES STAVRIDIS (RET.), CNN SENIOR MILITARY ANALYST: Deeply concerning.

Before I comment, I just want to thank CNN for highlighting the names and faces of the fallen. I hope we continue to do that. And I'd add in our diplomats, our CIA officers. We have a lot of Americans to thank for moving in wherever you believe about this war. Thank you. Thank you for your service.

Let me comment on Azerbaijan and folded into something about the Kurds. Iran has a lot of minorities, Azeris, Kurds, many others. Only about 80 percent are pure play (ph) Persians, if you will, Wolf. So, when I see Azerbaijan and Kurdistan kind of getting pulled into this, it makes us worry, it should, about Iran just coming apart. And that, in the end, might seem attractive as an option, but it's really not. We want Iran eventually to come through this under new management, if you will, but not pulled apart by these minorities. So, we ought to be watching both Azerbaijan and Kurds as we look at this holistically, the war expanding as it is.

BLITZER: Admiral Stavridis, I want to play a moment from yesterday's Pentagon briefing by the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, about how he sees the coverage of this war. Listen to this.

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HEGSETH: When a few drones get through or tragic things happen, it's front page news. I get it. The press only wants to make the president look bad.

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BLITZER: So, what's your reaction, Admiral, to that? You're the former NATO supreme allied commander. He's saying we're only reporting the names and expressing our deepest condolences to the families of these slain U.S. service members because of political reasons to try to make the president look bad.

STAVRIDIS: I don't feel that at all. And in every war we've been involved in, in my long, long career, over decades, I saw the faces of the fallen on every network, including Fox and CNN and MSNBC. So, I reject the idea that, in some sense, this is poking at the president. What this is doing is raising up those who have given the last full measure, as Abraham Lincoln said.

BLITZER: Yes. And as someone who has covered all these wars, going back to 1990 in the first Gulf War, I remember vividly reporting on all of the U.S. casualties, speaking with their families, expressing our deepest condolences all of the time. This is nothing new at all. This is the way journalists are supposed to cover a war.

Let me ask you quickly about a missile that Turkey says was launched by Iran toward Turkey, Turkey, of course, a NATO ally, and that NATO defenses intercepted that incoming missile. Are NATO allies is going to be drawn into this conflict under what's called Article 5, which says, an armed attack against one NATO member is an attack on all NATO members? As a reminder to our viewers, Article 5 has been invoked only one time in history. That was back in 2001 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks here in the United States.

STAVRIDIS: This would be the ultimate widening of the war if in fact Turkey gets pulled into this. And Turkey, of course, as you point out correctly, is a strong, capable NATO member. They have the strongest, largest land army in the alliance after only the United States. This is an alliance issue that's a NATO border. And oh, by the way, alongside it, we saw a drone attack on the island of Cyprus where the British have a significant base.

So, even as we worry about the way in which the Gulf states are being pulled into this, we ought to worry about Azerbaijan, about the Kurds, about NATO members, like Turkey, and Great Britain getting pulled into this, you're showing Cyprus now on the map. So, this -- the ripples of this war, if you throw a stone into a pond, the ripples are broadening. It's going to have potentially profound, geopolitical cost.

Hey, last thought, Wolf. You mentioned the Persian Gulf War. On August 21st, 1990, I was executive officer in a cruiser operation Desert Shield Desert Storm. The second serviceman killed in that war was under my command on USS Antietam.

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His face was shown that honored him and his family. I'm proud when any network, including this one or any other, talk about our fallen heroes.

BLITZER: Yes, me too, excellent point. Thanks so much, Admiral Stavridis. We appreciate your service. We appreciate your joining us as always. Thank you.

BROWN: Always important to pay tribute to those who make the ultimate sacrifice.

Coming up here in The Situation Room, Pam Bondi subpoenaed. A Congressional vote, panel votes to bring the attorney general in for testimony over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. That's ahead.

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