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U.S. Furiously Seeks To Avert Potential Months-Long Closure Of Strait Hormuz; Officials: Thousands More U.S. Marines Deploying To Middle East; Damage In Jerusalem's Old City After Iran Missile Strike; More TSA Agents Expected To Be Flown In To Help Atlanta Airport Staff; Massive Security Wait Times As DHS Shutdown Drags On; Gas Prices Surge As Iran Launches New Attacks In MidEast; Fed Official: War With Iran Could Weaken Economy More Than We Thought. Aired 3-3:30p ET

Aired March 20, 2026 - 15:00   ET

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

LISA BONNER, ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEY: But when you have so called -- what we call trade out agreements where a brand, like, the hotel gives, you know, host them in exchange for being on -- featured on "The Bachelorette," that they just kind of lose out on that because in every single trade out agreement, you have an escape clause, which basically states there is no guarantee that your brand will be featured because obviously, they don't know what they're going to be cutting until they see the final episode. So --

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: Yes.

BONNER: -- that's, you know, that's neither here nor there. But that -- that won't that won't matter for them.

KEILAR: Yes, this is a big deal, though.

Lisa Bonner, thank you so much for taking us through that. We do appreciate it.

BONNER: Yes.

KEILAR: And a new hour of CNN News Central starts right now.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: Thousands more U.S. Marines and sailors are heading toward the Middle East as we learn that U.S. officials are furiously seeking to avert a potential months long closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Plus, hours long wait times and frustrated passengers as high numbers of TSA agents call out at major U.S. airports. Administration officials say that things are about to get much worse if the partial government shutdown drags on.

Plus, he was a veteran, a martial arts world champion and an action hero. Hollywood icon Chuck Norris has passed away.

We're following these major developing stories and many more all coming in right here to CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

KEILAR: We begin with breaking news on the Strait of Hormuz as the war with Iran is causing gas prices to surge across the nation. Today, CNN is learning that U.S. officials are furiously trying to avoid a worst case scenario that could see the key oil passage effectively shut down for as long as six more months. Let's go to CNN's Alayna Treene at the White House where officials are downplaying their concern for this.

Alayna, what are they saying?

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, look, this is a story that my colleagues and I have been reporting out and a lot of it is, you know, cited to intelligence officials, other U.S. officials throughout the administration. And the thing that has been made clear to us in those conversations is that there is no easy solution for trying to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

And we cite a recent Defense Intelligence Agency assessment that has been making its way around the Pentagon. We have people confirming that the Pentagon and CENTCOM officials have seen this, have been looking at this intelligence. And it essentially says that Iran has the ability to keep the Strait shut for at least another month, but potentially as long as six months.

Now, to your point, Brianna, you're exactly right. I mean, officials in that building behind me and top officials at the Pentagon are trying to downplay this. They're calling the idea of a potential six months closure of the Strait the worst possible case scenario, and one that they essentially say is unacceptable.

I do want to read for you what we've heard from the Pentagon spokesman, Sean Parnell. He said, quote, "I have been present for every briefing on this matter, and the six-month closure of the Strait of Hormuz is an impossibility and completely unacceptable to the Secretary of War."

Now, I will say, many of the people and the sources we spoke with for this story did caution that the variables, of course, are changing as it relates to the Strait every single day as the military operations are ongoing. One key question, of course, is really there is a lack of certainty around the stockpiles and the military capabilities that Iran still has. I think there's no question, of course, that the military operation, the U.S. and Israel, have both been carrying out has completely damaged those weapons capabilities.

But still, Iran still is able to launch projectiles, and particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, which has been a huge problem that, again, officials are saying there is no easy solution for at this point in time. I do want to say as well, one thing that's been really fascinating is as the -- we -- in the course of our reporting, we've learned that many officials are looking about what could be key leverage points for the administration to use against Iran.

One is the potential of trying to capture Kharg Island, which is a key island that essentially is referred to as Iran's oil lifeline, or to try and undermine and wipe out its oil infrastructure. That is something, though, that a lot of people are wary about, because that could potentially require, and a lot of people say it would require, boots on the ground, something that, of course, we've heard the administration thus far say they are wary of doing. Brianna.

KEILAR: Alayna Treene live for us at the White House. Thank you. Boris.

SANCHEZ: As military efforts ramp up along the Strait of Hormuz, we're learning thousands more U.S. Marines and sailors are now being deployed to the Middle East region. The news coming just hours after the President shared on his Truth Social account that the fight to stop a nuclear-powered Iran has been militarily won.

Just moments ago, CNN obtained this new video from Jerusalem's Old City earlier today, the footage showing damage after an Iranian missile attack, Israeli security forces working to clear debris near some of the holiest sites in the world. Joining us now is retired U.S. Army Colonel Peter Mansoor.

[00:05:07]

Colonel Mansoor, thanks so much for being with us.

First, on the deployment of troops to the region, does that give you any indication that the White House, the Pentagon are potentially seeing a much longer engagement with Iran than initially anticipated?

COL. PETER MANSOOR, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: I think it likely does. Each of these units has about 2,500 Marines. About half of those are infantrymen, and they're capable of seizing an island or an enclave along the shoreline. And I foresee one of two missions for them.

One would be an offensive one to seize Kharg Island and use it as a bargaining ship in negotiations, or to seize one of the islands that is proximate to the Strait of Hormuz and develop it into a base that can house air defense weapons and be a base for operations against Iranian forces that are interdicting the Strait.

This will all take some time. It does mean boots on the ground, but if it's an island, a little bit more manageable than your -- if you're invading Iran proper along the coastline.

SANCHEZ: I want to ask you about that idea that -- that it's more manageable in part because if one of these islands is taken or -- or attacked, wouldn't that immediately make it a target of Iran's military? What -- what are their capacities to go after any U.S. troops that might go to Kharg Island, for example?

MANSOOR: Well, their capacity with missiles and drones is the same as it is if those troops were stationed in, say, Qatar or the United Arab Emirates or anywhere else in the region. So, there's not an elevated risk there. And if it -- if -- if it is an island that they invade, then, that, you know, Iran has got to cross a body of water to get troops there to attack the Marines. And so, that gives them a degree of safety and that gives them a degree of safety that they wouldn't have if they were on the Iranian shoreline.

As we talk about the capabilities of Iran right now, there are questions about the leadership in Tehran. We heard Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say effectively that he doesn't know who's in charge right now, even as we got a new statement today from the new supreme leader. He has not appeared in public. Tehran released images ostensibly of -- of him. We -- we can't really check the veracity of them. There are reports that he's been gravely injured. How would you assess the leadership in Iran?

MANSOOR: Well, the bench in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps and the Iranian government is pretty deep. And you can continue to kill the leaders at the top, and other people will rise up. At some point, it could collapse the regime, but I don't think we're anywhere close to that point at the moment. And Iran is prepared for this contingency by decentralizing authority and decision-making, especially in the military realm.

So I don't suspect that the attacks against the Iranian leadership are going to do anything to open up the Strait of Hormuz, short of regime change or some sort of negotiated settlement, which doesn't appear to be in the making right now.

SANCHEZ: To that point, doesn't a decentralization of decision-making make it more difficult for there to be a negotiated settlement?

MANSOOR: It does if the Iranian regime lacks communications with its subordinate commands. We don't know that that's the case, or at least publicly, we don't know. We can still come to a -- an agreement with the Iranian government, and that agreement would then be filtered down through the chain of command.

I'm sure that, you know, it could take some time, but if there is an agreement at the highest level, then this war will end. But again, Iran has no incentive to negotiate right now, because it can gain more from continuing to close the Strait of Hormuz and leverage its -- its pain it's inflicting on the world economy.

SANCHEZ: Colonel Peter Mansoor, thanks so much for sharing your expertise.

MANSOOR: Thank you.

SANCHEZ: Of course. Still to come, why some analyst are warning the war could keep prices high for your, not just gas prices, but the price of everything.

Plus, travelers across the country facing unpredictable airport wait times as TSA officers go unpaid and then skipped their shifts. The Transportation Secretary says, without a funding deal it could much worse.

And later, BTS is back. The world's biggest boy band dropping a new album almost four years after taking a break for military service. That and much more coming your way on CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

[15:10:05]

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[15:14:38)]

SANCHEZ: New today, CNN has learned that the TSA staffing shortage is so dire at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, that additional agents are expected to be flown in to help. Travelers have been dealing with increasing frustration from extremely long lines throughout the day at several airports as TSA employees continue to work without pay because of the partial government shutdown.

[00:05:00]

The TSA just released its newest staffing numbers. And yesterday, almost 10 percent of workers nationwide called out. That's just below Monday's record.

CNN's Ryan Young is at the airport Atlanta. He's been described as the mayor of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Ryan, what does it look like right now?

RYAN YOUNG, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Look, long day so far here. We've been here since before 6 and the line hasn't stopped. We usually have a rush hour early and then it goes down. But if you look at this line, you can see that 75-minute wait total in the distance there.

And we don't believe that number anymore because of people complaining that they've been here a lot longer. We have something a little different this hour. George Borek is actually a union steward for TSA agents here. Just to start with how difficult this has been over the last week with your agents dealing with the pain of not being paid.

GEORGE BOREK, TSA OFFICER AND UNION STEWARD: Well, listen, you know, from the start, you know, every day it progressively got worse. You know, we're at the point right now where yes, there's a lot of our officers are unable to come to work due to the fact that they don't have money for gas. You know, they have child care. They don't have, you know, there's other financial obligations. And -- and they just can't come to work and it's very difficult.

I mean, coming in, you know, every day is a challenge. Because we don't know how many officers are going to come in. And how many checkpoints and how many lanes we're going to be able to man, so it's difficult.

YOUNG: Let me ask you that question. First we'll switch to this other camera, so you can see from above. This entire atrium is packed with people. And then, we'll show you the other way where how pack it is on that side. But as we talk about that, talk about the lanes that have been closed today. How does that impact operations and the lines that we're seeing right now?

BOREK: Well, certainly if we don't have our normal contingent of officers. It's going to have a -- a triple effect. And certainly what you're seeing here with these -- with these people in line, I mean, you have maybe four lanes open. Five lanes open on a main checkpoint where we normally have these 18 lanes. On a given day, we may have eight, 10 lanes open. YOUNG: Do you think the impact could get worse, because I know you're

worried about who shows up and who doesn't show up.

BOREK: You know, from my opinion, you know, as next week approaches and there's another paycheck that will be missed. It's going to get worse. It's not going to get better.

YOUNG: You said there's a two week window. That's available for Congress to sort of get their act together, can you explain that and what you're concerned about?

BOREK: Well, right now my understanding is that, you know, Congress has two weeks before they go on their Easter break. You know, this is -- we're at a time right now something has to occur. They -- congress cannot leave until they -- they find a solution to the problem of the funding for TSA.

You know, and I can't imagine, you know, this getting worse, because again these people here that you see here at the airport. They don't deserve this. You know, I go every day when I'm working, I apologize to these people. Because, again, it's not something that we've done. Our people want to come to work.

Congress doesn't want to do an appropriate funds for us, so we get all our people in, all our staff here and to move these people along.

YOUNG: I talked to a TSA agent today who said they're scared of losing their car. I know you hear stories like that. What are you most concerned about right now, especially for the health and mentality of your agents around the country and especially here at Hartsfield?

BOREK: Well, listen, I think everyone in -- in the 50 states is feeling the same burden that we're going through. But, you know, how do you, you know, how do you tell someone that they've put their -- their -- they've done so much time trying to get the position. They want to work in government. They want to come in here and -- and associate with the people and it's -- it's pretty much like Congress doesn't even want us. I mean, and that's a sad thing. I mean, it's like they don't want us.

YOUNG: George, thank you for talking to us. Thank you so much.

BOREK: You got it.

YOUNG: Appreciate you being here.

BOREK: Yes, and like I said now you have my info, if you need me ...

YOUNG: Appreciate you. So ...

BOREK: ... so (INAUDIBLE) in days I'm not ...

YOUNG: ... so George -- so George is still here working. He came out to speak to us. So, you have to understand, this is happening as we speak. Agents have these heartfelt stories. They need something done in the next two weeks according to George. SANCHEZ: And it sounds like George is there on his day off, too. Ryan

Young thanks so much for bringing us that conversation.

YOUNG: Yes. He's -- no, he worked this morning. He worked.

SANCHEZ: So, he's staying overtime. We appreciate his work and TSA agents everywhere. Ryan Young from Atlanta, thank you so much.

Still ahead, oil prices keep rising as the war with Iran drags on. Americans are feeling it at the pump, too. The price of a gallon of gas now reaching its highest level in more than three years. We'll talk about the impacts next.

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KEILAR: There are growing fears about the surging costs caused by the war with Iran. U.S. gas prices rising another $0.03 today, hitting their highest level since October of 2022. The global benchmark for oil is more than $100 a barrel and Goldman Sachs warns it could stay that way into next year.

As prices at the pump rise, many families could have tough decisions to make, spelling more trouble for the U.S. economy, according to one Federal Reserve official.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTOPHER WALLER, FEDERAL RESERVE GOVERNOR: UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're backing off. I mean, they're looking at their gas tank, they're looking at the price and they're seeing how much is going into their car versus going into other things. And that starts affecting consumers' outlooks on the economy as well. So, all these things could end up tipping the -- and I don't want to say into a recession, but suddenly a much more weakening of the economy than we thought.

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KEILAR: We're joined now by the founder of The Pinpoint Press and a former senior columnist for Yahoo Finance, Rick Newman.

Rick, great to have you.

[15:25:00]

I mean, we're all worried about this. We're looking as we're filling up our tanks. When could gas hit $4?

RICK NEWMAN, FOUNDER, THE PINPOINT PRESS: Any minute now, honestly. I mean, it's up a -- a -- a buck per gallon just during the last three weeks or so. Last I looked at, it was about $3.93. And just for perspective, gas prices have risen faster at the onset of the U.S. war with Iran than they rose after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2002. So, this is an abrupt shock to people who have to pay gasoline bills. And Brianna, I think this is going to break down along the K-shaped

economy, as we've discussed with so many other issues. If you're on the upper tier of the K, you know, if you're going to pay 30 or 40 bucks more per month for gas, you don't really care that much. But if you're on the lower tranche of the K or the lower slope of the K, you really care. I mean, you weren't -- you weren't budgeting for this. An extra 30 bucks a month is -- is a lot out of your paycheck and that is on top of what we're probably going to see, which is going to be increases in food prices. Increasing energy prices mean that any products that travel on a plane, a ship or a truck are going to get more expensive. And that is inflation that's coming down the road. So, this is not just gasoline, and it's going to be painful for a lot of people.

KEILAR: Yes, we're really going to feel it. And is U.S. domestic energy production helping during this volatile time for the market?

NEWMAN: Well, it's helping a little, but there -- there's this misconception that because the United States is, quote, energy independent, then whatever happens over in the Persian Gulf with regard to oil doesn't affect us. It does affect us directly. And the reason for that is that oil and many other types of fuel are global commodities. They can be moved easily from place to place, which means that where -- the oil price in one place is basically the oil price everywhere.

And the reason for that is, you know, U.S. oil producers, if prices go up in Asia, well, they have the freedom to sell their products in Asia, which they're going to do. They want to get the highest prices and they have the right to do that. So, that means they're going to sell at the highest price wherever they can -- they can sell it, which means we end up paying the highest price.

And because we have an open -- you know, we have an open energy sector that is a free market, part of the free market economy. So, we're susceptible to higher prices, just like everybody else in the world.

KEILAR: At first, we were seeing these supply issues, right? Supply was being arrested. It was being delayed. You had the bottleneck at the Strait, just the stoppage, really. But now we're seeing this shift towards destruction of infrastructure, which causes a much bigger problem.

For instance, Qatar says an Iranian strike on one of its liquefied natural gas facilities is going to take at least five years to repair. I mean, five years, that's a long time. And, you know, that's not oil. It doesn't operate exactly the same in the market. But at the same time, huge consequences for the folks that it does affect in that region. What are the long term consequences of these attacks on production?

NEWMAN: Yes, I saw that Qatar saying five years to -- to fix that natural gas facility, and I was startled. I thought, wow, Iran can sort of inflict cosmetic damage with a strike here or there on energy infrastructure. I didn't know it could go that deep. So, that's pretty severe. Natural gas is different from oil because it's a lot harder to move, so it's more of a regional, it's more of a regional price.

And we are lucky here in the United States because we have tons of gas, and we can consume a lot of our own natural gas. But there are some catches to that, which is all the natural gas in the United States can't get every place else in the United States. The, you know, the pipelines don't go everywhere. Some parts of the country are more dependent on heating oil, for example. Now, thankfully, we're getting out of winter. That's good news for the Northeast.

But one thing that could happen here, we do export a lot of natural gas. And if it's not coming out of the Gulf region, we could be exporting more natural gas from the United States. That could actually push prices up here in the United States. Now, again, it's good that we're getting out of winter because natural gas, most people who use it, use it for heating, so it won't be that bad in the summer. But, you know, definitely a problem if this conflict persists.

KEILAR: Yes, certainly something to watch. Rick Newman, great to get your perspective on this, thank you so much.

And what impact are we going to see gas prices having on how Americans feel about the President? CNN's Harry Enten has some thoughts.

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: I got a lot of thoughts. We're going to talk about the pain that folks are feeling at the pump and whether they're going to take it out on Trump right after the break.

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