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Early Start with Rahel Solomon

Kuwait Says Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery Hit Again By Drones; Gulf States Could Press U.S. For Security Guarantees; Several U.S. Allies To Help Secure Strait Of Hormuz. Aired 4-4:30a ET

Aired March 20, 2026 - 04:00   ET

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[04:00:40]

RAHEL SOLOMON, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning and welcome to our viewers joining us here in the U.S. and all around the world. I'm Rahel Solomon live this morning in New York.

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Becky Anderson live from our Middle East programming headquarters here in Abu Dhabi.

And we begin with a new day of attacks by Iran targeting countries around the Middle East. The Saudi Defense Ministry says it shot down at least four dozen drones over eastern parts of the country, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates where I am. Also reporting new missile and drone interceptions.

Israeli sources confirm an Iranian ballistic missile struck an oil refinery in the Israeli port city of Haifa. So far, there are no injuries reported.

A U.S. F-35 fighter jet like the ones you see here made an emergency landing at an American base in the Middle East. Two sources say the plane was struck by what's believed to be Iranian fire. The Pentagon is now asking for an additional $200 billion to fund the war with Iran. But President Trump says it is a small price to pay.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PETE HEGSETH, U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY: As far as $200 billion, I think that number could move. Obviously, it takes -- it takes money to kill bad guys. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If the war is almost over, why is the Pentagon going to ask Congress for an additional $200 billion?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, we're asking for a lot of reasons beyond even what we're talking about in Iran. This is a very volatile world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, Israel's prime minister says he will hold off on attacks on Iran's gas fields after a request from President Trump. Benjamin Netanyahu insists that Israel acted alone in striking the South Pars facility on Wednesday, despite reports from U.S. and Israeli sources that Israel coordinated that attack with the United States. So let's start this hour live to Dubai and to CNN's Eleni Giokos.

It's midday, Eleni, here. Let's just get our viewers up to speed on exactly what we know to have been the impact around the region of Iranian strikes and what we see with regard the markets.

ELENI GIOKOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I mean, it's been an interesting Friday morning. We've seen strikes across the region. And you mentioned Kuwait. We heard from the Kuwaitis that an oil refinery was struck. Part of that refinery had to be closed.

Again, this is the second time in a week that we've had news out of Kuwait of a refinery being attacked. And this follows what the Iranians say was a change in the red lines of this war because Israel attacked the South Pars gas field. Now, Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he's not going to attack the gas field. Again, that's after the request from President Trump. But a lot of questions remain around, you know, what knowledge the U.S. had about this attack, which clearly has changed the entire environment across the region.

I've also got to just remind you here that we've seen consistent attacks on critical energy infrastructure in the Gulf region, which has, of course, created a lot of concern about how much capacity has been taken out, Becky. But I want you to listen to President Trump and his reaction to what happened in Iran.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you talked to Prime Minister Netanyahu about attacking the oil and gas fields?

TRUMP: Yes, I did. I did. I told him, don't do that. And he won't do that. We didn't discuss.

You know, we do -- we're independent. We get along great. It's coordinated. But on occasion he'll do something and if I don't like it and -- so we're not doing that anymore.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GIOKOS: So we're not doing that. So clear messaging there from President Trump. But the point is this war is continuing. President Trump saying he's going to request for another $200 billion to fund this war. It brings questions about the timeline of this.

But also I want to focus on what happened in Qatar. Qatar energy says that it's Russell Fund important export facility of LNG. Seventeen percent of that capacity has been wiped out because of Iranian strikes. It's going to take them up to five years to get that up and running at full capacity. So, Becky, when we talk about the supply disruption that we're seeing within the Strait of Hormuz, we're now talking about potential destruction of supply.

[04:05:11]

And when we focus on some of the images we've seen, the fires, the plumes of smoke from critical infrastructure across the region and assessments still being done in terms of the damage, the ultimate damage, we just don't know what it means for supply. Oil prices right now hovering at around $107 a barrel on Brent crude. They slightly softer. We heard President Trump trying to sort of allay fears about supply. But of course, verbal communication helps.

At the end of the day, the numbers are going to matter. And then paradoxically, you heard that Secretary Scott Bessent talking about potentially lifting sanctions on Iranian oil on the seas, perhaps a release valve of what we've been seeing. But that is going to be a really interesting point to watch.

ANDERSON: Good to have you, Eleni. Thank you very much indeed. Right, that got you up to speed on what we understand have been going on around the region.

Let's get you live now to Kuwait. I want to speak with Hamad Althunayyan, who is the assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at Kuwait University.

It's good to have you, sir, this morning. And I want to start in Kuwait. The Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery has been hit by drones again today. Critical energy infrastructure repeatedly under fire. How sustainable is this level of an attack for Kuwait and for wider Gulf economies?

HAMAD ALTHUNAYYAN, ASST. PROFESSOR, DEPT. OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, KUWAIT UNIVERSITY: Thank you, Becky. Well, the situation is escalating. And the way I see it, the DCC states, including Kuwait, is being hosted to three realities. A war they didn't choose, enabling Iranian regime that continues to carry on these unjustified aggression, as well as a U.S. geopolitical calculation that prioritizes Netanyahu's objectives over the safety and security of the Gulf States.

The Israelis, when they attacked South Pars, a gas field in Iran, they knew exactly that the Iranians will strike back at oil and gas installations in the Gulf. Keep in mind both Israel and Iran have share a common goal in terms of dragging the Gulf States to this war. We saw what happened as you said in Min Al-Ahmadi today, but we also saw what happened over the past 48 hours in Qatar, in UAE as well as Saudi Arabia. The Brent crude oil spiked around 4.5 percent. And if the energy infrastructure is not taken off the target list, this will only add more fuel to this ongoing fire.

ANDERSON: The Trump administration bypassing Congress to fast track billions of dollars in weapons sales to Gulf partners. They've drawn a clear red line around regional energy infrastructure. Will Washington be pressed by Gulf nations to translate those commitments into more direct security guarantees? What do you understand, for example, from Kuwait's perspective to be the sort of ongoing communications between Washington and Kuwait at this point?

ALTHUNAYYAN: Well, the first thing that Kuwait communicated in my opinion is that this war was unnecessary and that was pre the current war ongoing between U.S., Israel and as well as in Iran. The main point that we would like to see is a ceasefire to the ongoing aggression as well as trying to return to what the American military bases were meant for here in the Gulf States and that security umbrella that the U.S. provided to the Gulf States in terms of trying to secure our land, secure our waters and secure our sovereignty. Unfortunately, what happened by conducting this war without giving any aspects to the security economic interest of the Gulf States will definitely put some strain in the relationship. And we would want to go to reach an understanding of how we can move toward a better understanding of the security agreements between the two states.

ANDERSON: I want to talk about the Strait of Hormuz, that incredibly important chokehold sort of area within the body of waterways around the area where you are. Several governments including India, Pakistan, Iraq, Malaysia and China are reportedly in direct talks with Tehran coordinating vessel transits via what seems to be an emerging IRGC run registration and vetting system. At least nine ships, according to Lloyd's List, have already used that corridor. Certainly the UAE welcoming the International Maritime Organization Council decision to, one, condemn Iran's attacks and, two, work towards a solution to in the Strait of Hormuz.

[04:10:30]

Realistically, what does a safe maritime framework look like? How might Gulf nations be involved in that? What does that wider sort of international coalition look like to your mind in order to get that strait of water moving again?

ALTHUNAYYAN: Perfect. Well, if you look at the Strait of Hormuz, as you mentioned, Strait of Hormuz is about where the 20 percent of world oil supplies run through. Most GCC states transfer their shipments, if not most, all of it through the strait. The Iranian threat to close the -- to close the strait is basically driven by two main objectives. One, trying to pressure GCC states to urge the U.S. to stop this war.

This neglects the fact that actually the states try to lobby hard to prevent this war unsuccessfully. And the second is try to put more pressure on the international community by driving oil prices and gas up and basically threatening the world economy. So what Iran is doing right now, they are weaponizing oil and gas as an instrument or policy in this war and it will definitely backfire. This is what -- how the fruitful outcome of the maritime agreement and joint statement that came out yesterday and that will probably most likely entail an international coalition of the willing and capable in order to secure the threat and neutralize the threats that Iran is posing to the -- not only to the GCC states, but also to the world economy.

ANDERSON: It's good to have you. I really appreciate your time this morning. Difficult times, challenging times in this region. Thank you very much indeed for joining us from Kuwait City today.

ALTHUNAYYAN: Thank you.

ANDERSON: And some news just coming in to CNN. Iranian state media are now reporting that Major General Ali Mohammad Naini, the spokesperson for the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has been killed. State broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reporting Naini's death a short time ago.

We will have a lot more from the Middle East coming up. But for now, let's get you back to Rahel in New York.

SOLOMON: All right, Becky, we'll see a little later in the show. Thank you.

Still ahead for us, the search for a U.S. college student who went missing on a night out with friends in Barcelona comes to a tragic end. What police are saying about the death of Jimmy Gracey coming up. Plus, long lines at airports across the United States. Why travelers should prepare for the lines to get even longer. I'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:18:01]

SOLOMON: The family of a U.S. college student who went missing in Spain says that they are working with local authorities to figure out what happened after 20-year-old Jimmy Gracey was found dead in Barcelona. Marybel Gonzalez has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARYBEL GONZALEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): James Jimmy Gracey, a 20 year old junior at the University of Alabama, was last seen by a friend around 3am local time Tuesday outside a Barcelona nightclub called Shoko Thursday afternoon. A spokesperson from Barcelona law enforcement confirms Gracey's body was recovered in shallow waters off Somorrostro beach, a stretch of beach in front of the nightclub. The spokesperson says, quote, "everything points to it being an accident, not a criminal act." Gracey's aunt spoke to CNN before his body was recovered and described his good character.

BETH MAREN O'REILLY, AUNT OF JIMMY GRACEY: Jimmy is a great kid, Midwest guy loving life down at University of Alabama, chaplain of his fraternity, honors student in the accounting program there, beloved son of his mom and dad, great older brother, hockey player.

GONZALEZ (voice-over): Gracey arrived to the city Monday to visit friends for spring break and went out that night but got separated from the group. GAVIN MCLAY, FRIEND OF JIMMY GRACEY: We've been working closely with local authorities and Senator Britt's office, State Department, U.S. embassy here in Barcelona.

GONZALEZ (voice-over): Employees at Shoko nightclub declined to comment about Gracey's disappearance but confirmed they have turned over CCTV footage to police. It's unclear whether the security footage shows Gracey. Gracey's mother says police also have his phone who said it was recovered after being stolen.

I'm Marybel Gonzalez reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOLOMON: President Trump's pick to lead Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin is one step closer to getting the job. Democratic Senator John Fetterman joined Republicans on the committee to advance Mullin's nomination on Thursday. That means that the full Senate is set to vote on it as early as next week. Fetterman explains his decision, saying that he went into the confirmation hearing with an open mind. He says that he chose to bat Mullin because of their, quote, "strong, committed, constructive working relationship."

[04:20:08]

The top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee tells CNN that a deal to reopen the Department of Homeland Security is a long ways away. Lawmakers have spent weeks without any breakthroughs as Democrats pushed for a significant overhaul to immigration enforcement. A group of Senate appropriators met with White House border czar Tom Homan on Capitol Hill Thursday. And one of those senators, Republican Katie Britt, signaled that negotiations are at least moving in the right direction.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. KATIE BRITT (R-AL): It is my hope that we will get something back from the Democrats in short order just so that we can continue to see, you know, what is the pathway forward. Is there one? What is it? And then how do we work through any differences we may have. But first steps is dialogue.

And this is the very first time that we have had that today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOLOMON: Meantime, airports across the U.S. are seeing passenger wait times expand as record amounts of TSA workers don't show up to work. For over a month now, employees have been expected to work without pay as the Department of Homeland Security remains unfunded by Congress. And with no end in sight to the partial government shutdown, airports are preparing for lines to get even longer. CNN's Ryan Young has more from one of the nation's busiest airports.

RYAN YOUNG, CNN SENIOR U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Day five here at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport of extreme backups. In fact, at one point the line here was beyond that green sign. And we do have video of all those people standing in line for more than 90 minutes. Some folks very upset as they got close to missing their flights.

Also here at the airport, this area right here is being used for TSA workers to get free food, especially the ones that are coming to work who are participating and keeping things moving here at the airport. But the story here all day long has been how they've been able to keep the lines here at the airport open. They've been able to concentrate TSA workers. On the main checkpoint here, what we saw was the lines after the rush hour dropped tremendously. In fact, at one point the security was down to two minute wait.

That's almost unheard of during a normal day here at the airport. To have it now when they're dealing with such shortfall when it comes to workers is almost amazing. So even as we look up here, 15 minutes has been almost the average that they've been dealing with. And on a day to day basis, what they're concerned about is what will Friday be like when it comes to the TSA because they know traditionally that's one of the busiest days here at the airport.

Ryan Young, CNN, Hartsfield Jackson International Airport.

SOLOMON: Still ahead for us, Israel is pressing ahead with its operations in Lebanon. We'll take you to areas where practically nothing is left standing and talk to residents who had to run for their lives. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:27:08]

ANDERSON: Welcome back. I'm Becky Anderson live from our Middle East programming headquarters here in Abu Dhabi in the UAE. And here's the latest on the war with Iran. Iranian state media says the Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini has been killed. Meanwhile, several Middle Eastern countries say they are intercepting Iranian drone strikes.

The Saudi Defense Ministry says it shot down at least a dozen drones over eastern parts of the city. Bahrain, Kuwait and here in the UAE also reporting missile and drone attacks over the nighttime hours. These countries have called on Iran to cease the attacks, which are targeting residential areas, oil facilities, airports and diplomatic premises.

Well, the Trump administration has bypassed Congress to expedite the sale of billions of dollars of weapons to the UAE, Kuwait into Jordan. Despite the large sale, President Trump and the Israeli prime minister both think the war will be ending soon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: It's going to be over with pretty soon. We've obliterated their navy. We've obliterated there just about everything there is to obliterate, including leadership. BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: Their air force is nearly destroyed. Iran's command and control structure is in utter chaos. And I can tell you that there's still more work to do, and we're going to do it. But I also see this war ending a lot faster than people think.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, with me now from Doha, Qatar, is Mehran Kamrava, who's a professor of government at Georgetown University there in Qatar.

Good to have you, sir. I'm sure the war can't finish quickly enough for you there in Doha. I want you to listen to Jeremy Diamond's questions, my colleague in Jerusalem, with Benjamin Netanyahu just yesterday. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: You've also indicated today that you made a commitment to President Trump not to strike these oil and gas facilities in the future. Should President Trump come to you one day and say, oil prices are too high, it's time to end this war, will you listen to him? And do you need the United States in order to continue this campaign alone?

NETANYAHU: I don't think any two leaders have been as coordinated as President Trump and I. He's the leader, I'm, you know, his ally. America is the leader. But ultimately, President Trump makes his own decisions. And do I respect them?

Yes, I do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: He was being asked specifically about the South Pars gas field that was hit yesterday that is shared by Iran with Qatar. In response, Qatar striking Doha's energy facilities. If pressured by Gulf nations, do you believe Trump will continue to give Israel red lines? And what do you make of this idea that this war will be.