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The Situation Room

Interview With Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY); Interview With Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN); Strait of Hormuz Under Threat. Aired 11- 11:30a ET

Aired March 12, 2026 - 11:00   ET

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

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WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Happening now, breaking news: trading attacks, Israel and Hezbollah once again firing missiles at one another this morning. We're live from Israel as the IDF prepares to expand its campaign against the Iranian-backed militant group.

And oil tankers inferno. Iran is escalating the war by hitting ships near the Strait of Hormuz, with several of them erupting into flames. And now this morning, a new message purportedly from Iran's new supreme leader saying the crucial shipping route will stay closed.

Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer. Pamela Brown is off. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

BLITZER: And we begin this hour with the breaking news.

Iran's new supreme leader, the Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, purportedly issuing his first message since taking power. The supreme leader said that the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical shipping lane for nearly 20 percent of the world's crude oil, will remain closed, he says, as a tool of pressure.

He went on to say Iran would continue to target military bases in neighboring countries in retaliation for the war. And it's important to note that we did not see or hear directly from Khamenei. His message was read out on Iranian state TV.

With us now, CNN global affairs analyst and Iran expert Karim Sadjadpour.

Karim, thanks so much for joining us.

What did you make of the fact that we didn't see or hear directly from Khamenei this morning?

KARIM SADJADPOUR, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: Well, Wolf, his statement was an expression of defiance, but it wasn't a show of strength.

It actually raised more questions than answers about the state of his health, where he is, his ability to give a powerful speech. Those I have spoken inside Tehran who know and well say, in contrast to his father, he's not a powerful orator. He doesn't have much of a presence.

And it again raised questions about to what extent he was injured in the missile attack that killed his father, his mother, and his wife.

BLITZER: Yes, it was significant we didn't actually see him and we didn't actually hear his voice. We heard an announcer on Iranian state TV describe what he supposedly said.

Does this message do anything at all, Karim, to clarify who is truly in charge in Iran right now?

SADJADPOUR: It doesn't. I mean, I'm still under the impression that he is the new supreme leader and he's not dead, although there are questions being raised about whether he's even alive.

I'm under the assumption that he is indeed the leader, and for now he's inherited the legitimacy of his father, although he's much, much weaker. This is a regime in which the Revolutionary Guards, the military, are firmly in control, and what's clear is that they're going to continue on the path of revolutionary ideology, particularly animosity towards America and Israel.

BLITZER: The ayatollah, Mojtaba Khamenei, went on to say he learned of his appointment from state television, spoke highly of his father, and said he was able to see his father's dead body after his death.

How do you expect this message to land with the people of Iran, what this TV announcer said he supposedly had pointed out?

SADJADPOUR: Well, Iran is a deeply polarized society, Wolf. And it's not polarized 50/50. I would argue this regime probably has at best 15 to 20 percent popular support.

And so what tends to happen is that the supporters of the regime are more energized than ever in their commitment to the revolution and revolutionary principles. But for those members of an Iranian society who are deeply disillusioned and unhappy economically, politically, socially, this is another sign that there's virtually an irreconcilable gap between rulers and ruled in Iran.

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BLITZER: You just wrote a truly excellent piece for "The Atlantic" magazine, Karim, explaining why you feel like this war has strengthened the Iran...

SADJADPOUR: I'm sorry, Wolf, I'm not able to hear you.

BLITZER: What about now? Can you hear me now?

SADJADPOUR: Yes, now I can hear you, yes.

BLITZER: All right.

You just wrote a piece for "The Atlantic" magazine saying why this war seemingly has strengthened the Islamic regime's cohesion and its position.

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SADJADPOUR: I'm sorry, Wolf. There's other speaking coming through here.

BLITZER: All right, we're going to take a break and we'll continue this conversation when we fix all these technical problems.

And, Karim, stand by, we'll continue this conversation, to be sure.

Right now, I want to go live to CNN's Jeremy Diamond. He's in Haniel, Israel, for us. That's in Northern Israel.

Jeremy, how is the Israeli government reacting to the Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei's new purported message?

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, we're here in Central Israel, where a rocket from Hezbollah made a direct impact.

As you can see behind me, this is the crater that was left by that rocket as Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets towards Northern and Central Israel last night, more than 100 altogether in what was Hezbollah's largest barrage since this war began, since Hezbollah joined in a few days into it, firing rockets, as Iran has also of course continued to fire its ballistic missiles.

I want to take you to this house because you can see this is the part of the house that took the brunt of the impact. There is concrete that has fallen here, walls that have been completely broken down. And then, as you continue to walk over here, you'll see that the living room is also in pieces.

There's glass shattered all around the floor. Now, I am told that the resident of this home was an 86-year-old woman. She and her caretaker survived only because they were inside the bomb shelter that is in the middle of this home. That bomb shelter stayed completely intact amid all of this.

Now the question, Wolf, is, how is Israel going to continue to escalate against Hezbollah? We have watched already as they responded to waves of rocket fire from Hezbollah with heavy airstrikes in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, including last night, moments after this barrage of rockets was fired, Israel carrying out multiple airstrikes there and also of course in Southern Lebanon.

But now we've also been watching as Israel as calling up reservists, massing forces along the Lebanese border, and the Israeli prime minister reportedly considering whether to expand the Israeli military's footprint in Southern Lebanon and move forward with a broader ground operation there -- Wolf.

BLITZER: A quick question, Jeremy, before I let you go.

Haniel, how far is that from one of the major cities? You say in Central Israel. Tel Aviv is in Central Israel.

DIAMOND: Yes, we're about a 45-minute drive from Tel Aviv, much closer to the city of Netanya.

But, critically, we're about 60 miles from the border with Lebanon. And so that just shows you the kind of capacities that Hezbollah has been able to maintain, despite over a year of previous conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and efforts to disarm the group in Southern Lebanon.

BLITZER: All right, Jeremy Diamond, stay safe over there. We will stay in close touch with you. Appreciate it very, very much.

I think we fixed our technical issues. I want to bring back Karim Sadjadpour for a little more discussion.

You just wrote a piece for "The Atlantic" magazine, Karim, explaining why you feel like this war has actually strengthened the Iranian regime's cohesion. You write that: "Instead of producing an Iranian Delcy Rodriguez," who is now leading Venezuela, "this war has instead spawned a budding Iranian Kim Jong-un."

Do you worry, Karim, that Iran could actually become a greater threat to peace in the region going forward?

SADJADPOUR: That is a legitimate concern, Wolf.

Obviously, this regime has been significantly degraded militarily, but it seems to be a more cohesive regime than it was last January, when tens of thousands of people took to the streets and were killed in protesting. And certainly our allies and partners in the Persian Gulf are much more worried about this regime.

They have been attacking them with missiles and drones. Israel is further away in distance and it's in a better position, much stronger militarily to protect itself. But there is a real danger that, when the dust settles, this regime could go on a rampage against its own population and it's going to pose much more of a danger to its regional neighbors.

BLITZER: Yes, among those regional neighbors, the Iranians, are continuing to pummel, go really after Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, even Oman and Saudi Arabia, for that matter, as well. We will see what happens in the coming days and weeks.

Karim Sadjadpour, thank you very much for your expertise. We always appreciate having you in THE SITUATION ROOM.

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And there's more breaking news coming in right now. A longtime Democratic leader in Congress announces he will seek yet another term in office. Here's South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn. Listen.

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REP. JAMES CLYBURN (D-SC): In a few minutes, I'm going to sign the paperwork that's necessary in order to qualify for the Democratic nomination to run again.

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BLITZER: Congressman Clyburn is 85 years old. He was first elected to the House back in 1992.

And still ahead, one-on-one with Republican Congressman Tim Burchett. We will get his reaction to President Trump's assertion that the U.S. has won the war with Iran. We will also ask him about President Trump's Attorney General Pam Bondi. He's one of several Republicans who pushed to subpoena her in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Lots going on. Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.

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BLITZER: There's breaking news. Look at this, smoke filling the skies over Lebanon's capital of Beirut right now. Israel has been hitting the city with airstrikes meant to target the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. And now Israel is preparing for potentially a larger ground operation into that country.

Joining us now, Republican Congressman Tim Burchett of Tennessee. He serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Congressman, thanks so much for joining us.

Where do you stand on President Trump's assessment that the U.S. has already won the war? Do you agree with that or is that premature?

REP. TIM BURCHETT (R-TN): President Trump is really the negotiator in chief. And, yes, I think we have accomplished all of our goals there. And I think we need to have an exit strategy very soon.

And I think the gap needs to be filled in by these Middle Eastern countries that also are tired of Iran's shenanigans. I think the bottom line is, Wolf, is that they embrace capitalism more than they embrace war right now. And they see Iran being the real lynchpin in all that.

And I think that's why even south of Saudis allow the Israelis to fly over their daggum airspace. I think there's an agreement there. But I think there's a limited time. I think you have got the strait there. You need to clean that up to make sure that supplies and trade routes are back open.

But I feel like that is a very good signal for the country and to the world market.

BLITZER: So I take it, Congressman, you don't believe the U.S. right now is headed toward another endless war in the Middle East, which, of course, all of us remember President Trump often campaigned against?

BURCHETT: Yes, sir. I do not believe that. I believe, again, President Trump gets it and he knows America does not have an appetite for any long-term war, especially putting American troops on the ground in those areas.

BLITZER: Let's watch and listen to what your fellow Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham recently said about all of this. Listen to this.

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SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC): I go back to South Carolina. I'm asking them to send their sons and daughters over to the Mideast. What I want you to do in the Mideast, our friends in Saudi Arabia and other places, step forward and say this is my fight too. I join America.

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BLITZER: So, Congressman, is this war worth not only the $11 billion it already has cost in the first six days, but also the lives of Americans, America's sons and daughters, more importantly?

BURCHETT: I do not think we -- I would hope that no American sons or daughters lives -- would die.

That 48-star flag that's behind my desk, that was on my mama's oldest brother's grave. He was 33 years old and died in the hedgerows in Europe. And every time they played the national anthem, my mama would tear up. My daddy was a Marine veteran in the Pacific, fought the Japanese. Until the day he died in his 80s, if I ever woke him up, it was always over.

We had had to grab him by his big toe, not over his body, because he would wake up on one of those islands and might slam me against the war. My mama was a 17-year-old little girl from Cheatham County. Didn't have electricity until she was a senior in high school and she flew an airplane during the war.

So I know the sacrifices, and I have seen it. And I do not want to ever see anybody have to endure what my mama did to that. So, no, I don't want any Americans to lose their life. But there is the possibility when they take that oath that they're going to be put in harm's way.

And I think we need to realize that, and especially in the world we live in. And -- but, no, I don't think any American lives are worth anything overseas. I want everybody home. I want the dollars to be spent in this country within our borders. And I think President Trump does as well.

BLITZER: Good point, Congressman. I want to turn to another sensitive issue while I still have you and

discuss your work on the House Oversight Committee...

BURCHETT: Yes, sir.

BLITZER: ... investigating the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

What stood out to you most from the testimony of his former accountant Richard Kahn that you guys heard from yesterday?

BURCHETT: Yes, sir.

Well, he's the fifth person that's come forward and said that President Trump was not involved in this, in any of this nonsense on the island or horrible, horrific acts that took place. And also I think you need to realize too that everybody says that Epstein was employed by one specific group.

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But I think he was just any willing provider. He had -- he operated a very in-depth rape ring. I hate calling it a sex ring, because adults and children is not sex. That is rape. And it needs to be called that.

And I think he negotiated stuff with other groups. And I think that's why you saw, let's see, there was at least 64 companies or financial entities that were -- that used -- managed Epstein's money. That's not the way a normal person does it, unless they're trying to hide something.

And that's exactly what he did. And he did a pretty daggum good job of it. And so I think we still -- this is layers of an onion. And I don't think we're there yet. I think we need to keep digging and get to the bottom of this, because I think this is also the tip of the iceberg of this going on in our world.

I have just left our Internet Crimes Against Children wing here in Knoxville, Tennessee. And, again, I was in the state legislature, and I was able to get $5 million to fund it all across the state. And it's just a drop in the bucket of what's really going on in this world with these deviants.

And I -- honestly, I think we need to send them to hell as fast as possible and get to everybody who's involved with this and is guilty, because America's not -- this isn't going away, and we need to start addressing it.

But we need to quit -- we need to start thinking about what's going on in our own daggum backyard, Wolf, because that's where it's happening.

BLITZER: Yes.

BURCHETT: And it's a dangerous situation.

BLITZER: All right, important point indeed. Congressman Tim Burchett of the great state of Tennessee, thanks so

much for joining us.

BURCHETT: Thank you, Wolf.

BLITZER: Up next: Despite President Trump's insisting the war with Iran is over, federal officials are still very high on alert for potential attacks from Iranian sleeper cells here in the United States.

When we come back, we're going to ask Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand if she has concerns about possible Iranian-led attacks on U.S. soil.

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BLITZER: This morning, a new purported message from Iran's new supreme leader, the Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. That would be his first statement since taking power.

He touched on a number of topics, including attacks on Gulf nations. He says they will continue and praised regional proxy groups. It's important to note we did not see or hear directly from Khamenei. His message was read out on Iranian state TV.

Let's discuss this and more with Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York state. She's on the Intelligence Committee.

Senator, thanks so much for being with us.

Given this new message, first of all, is there concern about possible retaliatory attacks by Iran here in the United States?

SEN. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND (D-NY): Yes, I have very deep concerns about retaliatory attacks. I'm concerned about cyber warfare. I'm concerned about sleeper cells within the United States.

New York particularly is typically the number one terror target post- 9/11. And so we are on high alert in New York City right now. They have increased different patrols and we are making sure that our sensitive sites are protected as best we can.

BLITZER: Good.

President Trump says the U.S. is, in his words, on top, his words, on top of possible Iranian sleeper cells here in the United States. But he's also blaming his predecessor if they decide to act. Listen to this. Listen to what he said.

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DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: A lot of people came in through Biden with his stupid open border. But we know where most of them are. We have got our eye on all of them, I think. (END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: What's your response to that? Is the government prepared for any attacks, sleeper cell attacks, for example, in the United States by Iran?

GILLIBRAND: I have a great deal of confidence in our fusion centers, where we combine DOD, CIA, NSA, NYPD, FBI, sharing counterintelligence and sharing information regularly to prevent and subvert terror attacks. We have subverted dozens of terror attacks since 9/11.

So I have a great deal of faith in the professionalism and seriousness of the effort that we have. However, when you start a war, a war of choice, and you create decapitation operations, where you have significant issues, such as this mistargeting of a school that destroyed so many young innocent lives, the likelihood of retaliation becomes higher.

The gravity of the nature of that retaliation becomes higher. I have very significant and deep concerns about the American people's security. This war has not made us safer. This war has cost us over $11 billion. It's costing between $1 billion and $2 billion a day, a war that Congress has not voted for, meaning the American people have not been able to voice their views on this war through their representatives.

And this illegal war is costing us dearly in lives and in resources. And I hope that our professional NYPD and FBI and national security resources will be strong and effective enough to keep all Americans safe.

BLITZER: And, as I mentioned, you're a key member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. You're well-briefed on all these developments.