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U.S. Launches More Strikes on Iran; Lindsey Graham's Sidner to Run for Seat; Oil Back at $90 a Barrel. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired July 21, 2026 - 09:30   ET

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

[09:30:00]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Major shipping channel that is threatened and thus, you know, there will be disruption to it, what does that mean for the United States if this becomes a new front of this war?

MAJ. GEN. JAMES "SPIDER" MARKS, U.S. ARMY (RET.): Well, it's been a front in the engagement with the Houthis in the past, as we realize. Also bear in mind the Saudis, over the course of about a decade, tried to eliminate the Houthis without success. Many would say it's difficult to try to bomb an organization back into the 14th century when they're already in the 14th century.

So, the Houthis have had an opportunity to really establish themselves over time. They've been quiet, as you know, over the past four or five months as a result of Epic Fury and their ability to stay in touch with Tehran, which is their primary lifeline for support has been minimized as well. What this tells you is that they've been hunkering down, they have capacity, and they are now going to reach up and turn up the heat, obviously.

The concern truly is, do they have the capacity to do that? Can the Houthis close the Bab-al-Mandeb? Well, they've done it in the past, but it's been opened again because of the efforts of the United States, not with a lot of help from other allied partners. But there's an incentive for the Saudis, certainly, to be involved because they, the Saudis, have created a pipeline infrastructure, as you know, from the Gulf over to the Red Sea. This is the oil that's being pumped out.

So, that attempt to create an alternative and some resiliency and redundancy is now going to be threatened pretty significantly. So, the U.S. has a presence. The Saudis have a capability. What is going to be done that's going to detract from Epic Fury if, in case, you know, if we are now on the front edge of a new engagement with Iran, will that alter that type of an attack profile? Those are the key issues that need to be addressed. So, the Houthis can say a lot of things a priori (ph). Let's see what really happens. And then I guarantee you the Saudis will step up in the U.S. will certainly get involved as well.

BOLDUAN: Absolutely. And this also kind of just renews the focus on what is entirely the focus of the attacks and fighting right now, which is getting the Strait of Hormuz fully reopened. I mean, since day one of this war, the same question remains, what really are the options now as we -- as Iran has proven resilient in trying to exert control over that waterway? MARKS: You know, Kate, that's the -- that's the concern primarily is

because there are tons of options. I mean, there's a lot we can do diplomatically, economically in terms of military capacity. It's phenomenal. We've seen that. But the question still remains, what's -- what is -- what does this look like? What does the end state look like? How do we know we're there? And we haven't had that discussion yet. It's not regime change. I don't think that was ever addressed a priori (ph), up front. So, what are we trying to achieve in Epic Fury?

What the Iranians have demonstrated is, as everybody has really seen, is its immense capacity to resist and their resilience. In other words, the application of more force is not necessarily going to move the dial toward whatever that desired end state is.

So, what are the other things we can do? Well, we can execute some lifting of sanctions. Allow the, you know, lift the blockade, try to encourage the straits remain open. If the Iranians are making money that way, then they're incentivized to keep it open. But at the end of the day, we have to realize, look, the Iranians are going to cheat, they're going to -- they're going to alter the engagement profile. They're going to say one thing, do something else. So, we are inevitably almost going to resort to the military application of force. And that's going to be our posture moving forward in terms, you know, of the long-term diplomatic engagement is going to be done through military force. This is a six, seven, eight-month kind of an engagement.

BOLDUAN: It is great to see you, Spider. It's been too long. Thanks so much. Really appreciate your time.

Coming up for us, we're getting some new reporting in this morning on plans for a Capitol Hill memorial service for the late Senator Lindsey Graham. And his sister, Darlene, at the same time, we are learning she is announcing she will run for a full term of his Senate seat.

Also this, five cups of coffee a day. It may not be a problem according to a new study.

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[09:39:18]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: We just learned this morning the late Senator Lindsey Graham will be honored in a special ceremony at the U.S. Capitol next week. The senator's sister has been appointed to fill the remainder of his term. And now President Trump has endorsed Darline Graham for a full six year term.

With us now, CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten.

There is a Republican primary to fill this seat for the full six years --

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Yes.

BERMAN: Or to nominate someone to run for the full six years. What are the prediction markets saying about that race right now?

ENTEN: Darline Graham's chances have rocketed up because rarely has the power of one man and his endorsements in primaries been as strong with Donald Trump.

Why don't we take a look here. OK, chance to win the South Carolina special Republican primary. Darline Graham. On Friday, she stood at just a 14 percent chance, according to the Kalshi prediction markets.

[09:40:02]

As I said, up like a rocket. Now an 80 percent chance as the Trump endorsement has come in. Again, the power of one man. And Graham herself saying that, in fact, she is going to run for the full term. So, we're seeing an 80 percent chance.

Look, that's not 100 percent, but it is way, way higher than 14 percent chance. She's the clear favorite to fill that seat, at least win the primary.

BERMAN: That's a big change in a very short period of time there.

ENTEN: Correct.

BERMAN: What's the president's record when he endorses Senate races in primaries?

ENTEN: Yes. OK. So, there's a reason why this 14 percent became 80 percent. And that is because when it comes to Senate primaries, Donald Trump's record is magnificent. You can see it right here. OK, Trump endorses won Senate primaries, if non-elected incumbents. So, we're not just looking at elected incumbents, right? We're looking at open seats or appointed incumbents who have never actually won the Senate seat. Look at this, since 2022 it's about 95 percent of the time. This year, and fewer races, it's 100 percent of the time. No wonder why the prediction markets and the conventional wisdom have moved so rapidly once Trump made that endorsement, because at least in Senate races Trump's record this year 100 percent. And since 2022, nearly 100 percent. There has never been somebody I have seen as powerful in terms of their ability to move the electorate in primaries than the current president of the United States, Donald John Trump.

BERMAN: What's one reason for that?

ENTEN: One reason why is because Trump is still very popular with Republicans. Just take a look here. OK, 21st century own party approval rating about at this point in a second term. We got Trump, we got Obama, we got Bush. Look, they're all fairly popular. But the one who is the most popular, and we have seen this time and time out, no matter when you look, is Donald John Trump. He's the only one who's over 80 percent, 83 percent of Republicans still approve of the job that Donald Trump is doing as president. He still has that magic touch. We'll see if it carries over to South Carolina. But we've seen it in primaries this year. Senate primaries. And that is because he is still a very popular man, historically popular when it comes to his own party liking and approving of the job that he's doing. BERMAN: So, it was Marquette asked a really interesting question

about, you know, which indicates what voters might want, Republican voters might want, when it comes to the president's endorsement. What did they say there?

ENTEN: Yes. OK. So, when you just flat out, straight up ask Republicans, who do you want to vote for in primaries, right? OK, who the GOP prefers in primaries. Challengers. Challengers. You know this -- we're talking about challengers, not incumbents. Challengers that Trump endorses. Look at this, three in four, 76 percent say they prefer to vote for challengers that Trump endorses compared to, get this, incumbents, incumbents that Trump opposes, just 18 percent. And this is even less of a lift (ph) in South Carolina because there is no elected incumbent, right?

The clear majority, three in four Republicans prefer the challengers that Trump endorses. And this, of course, matches everything that we're seeing so far this year, right? We're seeing that Trump is doing so well in the primaries in terms of endorsements on the Senate side. We see his approval rating being so high. This matches with that. You rarely ever see numbers like this. The bottom line is, this is still Donald John Trump's Republican Party.

BERMAN: They do not want incumbents if Donald Trump does not like them.

ENTEN: Correct. Do not oppose Donald Trump. We've seen it in primary after primary this year Senate level. We saw in those state legislative elections in Indiana as well, where, of course, all those incumbents went down to defeat.

BERMAN: Harold Enten, thank you very much.

ENTEN: Thank you, my friend.

BERMAN: We've got a lot of news this morning. We'll be right back.

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[09:47:55]

BOLDUAN: Marvel's Avengers are assembling once again.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mark my words, we're going to need a miracle.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: The new trailer for the film "Doomsday" just dropped yesterday. This one will bring together a new generation of superheroes to add into the mix with your returning fan favorites. The movie hits theaters in December.

Speaking of superheroes, it turns out that Matt Damon's biggest flex in "The Odyssey" wasn't entirely all his own. The Oscar winner revealed in a podcast that some of the shots of his eye-catching biceps actually belonged to his stunt double, who happens to be a woman. Devyn Dalton is her name. She shared some pics on social media from her time on set in Scotland, saying that she was grateful to be part of the epic battle scenes. And I'll play for you what Matt Damon said on the podcast, talking about their partnership in bringing this larger than life movie to life.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATT DAMON, STARS IN "THE ODYSSEY": My double was a woman, a female stunt performer, who had the greatest arms I've ever seen. And when she came into the catering tent was the first time I met her. I went up and I hugged her and, like, and so, you know, for -- and I -- and I thanked her for like all the work she'd put in.

So, it was almost 100 percent my arms in the movie.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's amazing. Got to give credit where it's due.

DAMON: But there are shots -- you got to give it up where it's due.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Just slightly less than 100 percent his arms. Still good.

In southern California, one of the internet's most famous bald eagles, Jackie, is recovering now after a fight with two other eagles. Cameras captured part of the fight -- goodness gracious -- that left Jackie injured and unable to fly long distances. Wildlife crews found her, brought her in for treatment. Officials say that she's alert, eating and expected to recover.

So, if riding an angry bull seems not your jam or just too easy, how about this for a rodeo event? It's called wild cow milking. And it's exactly what it sounds like. At the Bozeman, Montana, annual rodeo, teams of lucky participants get to catch a cow, milk it, and get the milk into a bottle before the clock runs out.

[09:50:05]

And that's it.

John.

BERMAN: That's tomorrow on CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

This morning, oil prices rising once again after the Iran backed Houthi rebel group in Yemen declared a maritime blockade on Saudi shipping. That adds to already growing concerns about unstable global oil market -- the unstable oil market. Oil prices have risen about ten of their last 14 days. The global benchmark is about $91 a barrel right now. Gas prices also up overnight now to $4.02 a gallon. That's up 16 cents since just last week.

With us now, an expert on all of this, Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. Patrick, we always like talking to you here.

So, we're back up over $4 a gallon. And this is the second time this year we've crossed that benchmark. How unusual is it to do that twice in one year?

PATRICK DE HAAN, HEAD OF PETROLEUM ANALYSIS, GASBUDDY: Well, John, it's historic. It's never happened before. We've seen gas prices at $4 back in 2008 and 2022. But normally it's one fell swoop. Prices go above the $4 a gallon mark and eventually fall back below it. Never in the same year have we seen the national average go up above four, then back below, and then back up again.

And that's true not just for gasoline, but diesel. Diesel prices, also, for the first time ever, have re-reached the $5 a gallon mark. In fact, diesel, the story of inflation, which was just being cheerleaded a couple weeks ago in the inflation report, diesel has jumped back above the $5 a gallon mark. In fact, 32 of the nation's 50 states have seen diesel prices going up by over 25 cents a gallon in the last seven days alone, with Colorado's diesel prices up an astonishing 60 a gallon in the last week.

So, consumers are going to feel the pinch at the pump, not only in gasoline prices that have gone up virtually in every state from a week ago, but now diesel prices adding to that as well.

BERMAN: So, Patrick, how did we get here? Or more accurately, how did we get back here?

DE HAAN: Well, it's really an unfolding story here. Not so much just the Strait of Hormuz. A lot of Americans have been tracking that for what it's been doing to oil markets. But the bigger story here is not just oil, but refined products that are also getting choked through the Strait of Hormuz. It's major refineries in the Middle East that can't get their gasoline, diesel and jet fuel off to the global economy, but more so Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries in the last few weeks. Over the last three days even, over the weekend, we saw another Ukrainian attack, this time on refinery of about 300,000 barrels a day. That's larger than the average U.S. refinery. In fact, it would probably be in the top third of refining.

And it's simply refinery attacks are simply making it much more difficult for Russia to be able to export diesel, something that they've now banned until the end of the month because their refineries simply are being attacked and there's no output. So, that's the other element here, it's not just the price of oil, but global refining capacity has been reduced. China is really throttling down its refineries. And now Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries. That is why there's a bit of a disconnect between the price of oil, still relatively low at $84 a barrel, and the price of gasoline and diesel, which is now $4 and $5 a gallon, respectively.

BERMAN: So back up over $4 a gallon in terms of gas prices. How long do you think we'll stick here this time?

DE HAAN: Well, it's really a story of what we see with the U.S. and Iran. If we continue to see new escalations, if we continue to also see Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, we could spend much of the rest of the summer here.

Now, keep in mind, too, the other wild card, something that we haven't talked about yet, Tropical Storm Bertha.

BERMAN: Yes.

DE HAAN: The amount of rain dropped. This storm specifically, not likely to really move the needle, but mother nature and hurricane season adding another element of uncertainty. We could stay above the $4 a gallon mark for the next few weeks or into Labor Day weekend if we don't see any deescalation soon.

BERMAN: All right, Patrick De Haan, I know you'll be watching it closely and keeping us informed. Thank you very much for being with us this morning.

Kate.

DE HAAN: Thanks, John.

BOLDUAN: So, talk about a full house. What -- how does this feel as a -- as a father of twins?

BERMAN: This is the kind of story I -- honestly, I like -- I break out in like hives when I hear this.

BOLDUAN: A family in Australia is celebrating the arrival of four identical baby girls. Doctors believe this could be the first naturally conceived identical quadruplet pregnancy ever recorded in that country. Emily, Harriet, Alexa and Catherine, they were born by c-section at just over 28 weeks. They're now receiving care in the NICU. Doctors say the odds of naturally conceived identical quadruplets are about one in 15 million. And the best part about this whole thing is this is a family that already has four children.

[09:55:00]

BERMAN: I mean you have four kids and then you double it right there. Whoo.

BOLDUAN: I mean, God bless them.

BERMAN: I tell you, that's just -- that's --

BOLDUAN: That's literally what you can say.

BERMAN: Separate bedrooms is also what you can say there at this point.

BOLDUAN: Yes. So --

BERMAN: Anyway, I digress.

But since we're talking about twins. Since we're talking about twins, some of the most famous twins in cinema, Luke and Leia, right?

BOLDUAN: They're twins?

BERMAN: Yes, but not identical because, you know.

BOLDUAN: What?

BERMAN: Yes. Yes. So, the lightsaber, a lightsaber, just set a new world record for the most valuable, well lightsaber ever sold, I think is how you want to say it.

BOLDUAN: Yes. Correct.

BERMAN: It was Mark Hamill's original lightsaber with the severed hand, right? Not Mark Hamill's severed hand. I think this is a prop.

BOLDUAN: Oh, OK.

BERMAN: This is the one that Darth Vader chopped off in "The Empire Strikes Back" when he told Luke that he was his father.

BOLDUAN: Yes, obviously. Yes.

BERMAN: It sold for nearly $4 million. Heritage Auction calls it one of the most important surviving "Star Wars" artifacts in existence. I just think it's one of the most important artifacts in existence.

BOLDUAN: Full stop.

BERMAN: Full stop.

BOLDUAN: Full stop. Yes. My -- of my "Star Wars" knowledge, I would concur, Doctor.

BERMAN: Thank you very much for that. And thank you all for being with us this morning and helping us through. This has been CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

BOLDUAN: Is that -- do we apologize now? We're sorry, but we'll see you tomorrow.

BERMAN: "THE SITUATION ROOM" --

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