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Early Start with Rahel Solomon

Netanyahu: Israel Acted Alone In Iran Gas Field Attack; Middle Eastern Countries Report New Drone Strikes; Gulf States Bear The Brunt Of Attacks From Iran. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired March 20, 2026 - 04:30   ET

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

[04:30:00]

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: 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 over soon?

MEHRAN KAMRAVA, PROFESSOR OF GOVERNMENT, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY IN QATAR: Well, one of the things we've seen consistently over the last three weeks is that the Iranians have surprised the United States and Israel first by the resilience, then the scale of attacks. And every time we think that Iran is done militarily, we are surprised by yet another red line being passed and another attack. And so, the attack on Rass Laffan facility here in Doha was a major surprise, I think. And it does appear as if this is one of those escalations that neither the United States nor Israel was prepared for. And none -- of course, none of the regional states have been prepared for it.

So, I wouldn't be surprised if there's tremendous pressure on President Trump to end this war and that Donald Trump would go to Benjamin Netanyahu and press for an end to the war pretty quickly.

ANDERSON: Let's talk about the Gulf states. Very specifically, they are warning they cannot absorb sustained attacks on their energy infrastructure. We heard from the prime minister in Qatar yesterday, who is also the third foreign minister, condemning these attacks, again saying this is absolutely not sustainable. Attacks on the energy infrastructure is an attack on Qatar's livelihood.

Now, the UK deploying military planners to work with the U.S. on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. We've seen the UK in the air over Qatar in support of Qatar's self-defense. I wonder whether you see the start of a broader, more European led security response in the Gulf.

KAMRAVA: Well, absolutely, Becky. One of the things we've seen over the last several years is that many of the Persian Gulf states, particularly Qatar, have sought to diversify their security partnership. And that diversification has been with countries like Turkey. Saudi Arabia has a strategic partnership now with Pakistan, but particularly with the European Union, Qatar and the European Union, UAE and the European Union and many of these countries.

And so, as the war continues to rage and as we see one escalation after another, if this trend continues, I wouldn't be surprised to see greater reliance and more deepened partnership with the Europeans.

ANDERSON: Yes, Gulf capitals are likely to begin hedging towards other partners beyond Washington. I wonder what message this sends, particularly in light of Netanyahu's latest remarks. I mean, is confidence in President Trump and in the U.S. as a security guarantor beginning to erode?

ANDERSON: Well, at least in Qatar, that erosion started when Israel attacked Doha right in the middle of negotiations to end the war in Gaza. And ever since then, the Persian Gulf states in general and Qatar in particular have realized that at least the Trump White House isn't as reliable of a partner as was assumed. And so, yes, this war further undermines that trust.

You know, the Saudis and many others have complained publicly that the United States did not consult them before it attacked Iran, and they could have better prepared themselves for this war.

ANDERSON: Mehran, it's really good to have you this morning. I very much appreciate it. I know it's been another noisy night for you, a noisy night here for many of my colleagues in Dubai, in the UAE and around this region. Your insight and analysis is so important for us as we continue to report on the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and its ramifications around this region and beyond. Thank you.

Well, CNN is reporting from inside Lebanon, where the death toll from the war has now surpassed a thousand. The Lebanese prime minister calling on the U.S. President to help stop Israel's ongoing bombardment of Hezbollah targets. During an exclusive interview with CNN, the Prime Minister called for an immediate ceasefire and direct talks with Israel. And he said, "Donald Trump is in the best position to make that happen."

[04:35:14]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NAWAF SALAM, LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER: President Trump more than anyone else, I mean, can play a decisive role in bringing this war to an end. So, we call on a greater engagement of the U.S. I mean, all Lebanese, they are victims. This war has been imposed us.

We didn't seek it. We didn't choose it. And now our main objective is how to end it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Well, meanwhile, Israel ramping up its airstrikes and ground offensive in Lebanon. And as CNN's Isobel Yeung reports, it's children who often get caught in the line of.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ISOBEL YEUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This mother is carrying the body of her six-year-old daughter, Yasmina. Israeli bombs pierce her grief. She's also burying her three other daughters, nine-year-old Malika, Zara, 12 and Zaynab, 13, along with their cousin, 11-year-old Sadiq.

YEUNG: Just absolutely heartbreaking scene. Just body after body after body. Just tiny little bodies. These ones having to be carried on the bed because there's just only parts and remnants and pieces of them left.

YEUNG (voiceover): These are just 5 of over 110 children killed this month. The IDF say they're targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and that Hezbollah are using civilians as human shields. CNN obtained permission from Hezbollah to film in southern Lebanon.

YEUNG: It is just apocalyptic around here. And to think that, I mean, just a couple weeks ago this was a buzzing, lively neighborhood with shops and these are people's houses. And now it's just all been turned to rubble. It must be so eerie staying here and yet you still do see people. You see people in their homes.

What are you still doing here?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I stay here.

YEUNG: Why are you staying?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I go where? This is my house.

YEUNG: Are you the only person who stayed or is there other families who stayed as well?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I no get family. I no marry. You want to marry me?

YEUNG: These kids obviously have been out of school for the last two weeks since the beginning of the war. And this group now is trying to do some activities with them, try to have some semblance of normality.

What are you scared could happen?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm scared one of us will be killed.

SANAA GHOSN, DISPLACED BY FIGHTING: Lebanon used to be prosperous. The whole of Lebanon is finished. Completely. There is no Lebanon anymore. Hopefully, what happened in Gaza doesn't happen to us.

YEUNG: What would you say to the people who have power over this war right now?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What do you want from us? Children can't continue their education or do anything. You've ruined our lives.

YEUNG (voiceover): It's a pain no child should know. A generation who should have their entire lives ahead of them. Now, pulled into a war they never chose and crushed beneath the violence that engulfs them. Isobel Yeung, CNN, Beirut.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Israel's military says it will look into the incident that CNN has documented involving children's deaths. And we will report to you as and when we get anything back on that. We will be right back.

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[04:43:55]

RAHEL SOLOMON, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back. Oil prices have edged lower despite energy hubs across the Middle East continuing to get hit. It comes after a tumultuous day where the global benchmark Brent Crude surged to $119 a barrel before settling at $108. That is the highest closing level since July 2022.

The U.S. benchmark settled at $96 a barrel after hitting $100 earlier. And Goldman Sachs warns that higher prices could last all the way through 2027, which means that consumers will be spending more at the pump. AAA reports the national average is $3.88. That is nearly a dollar more than the average a month ago.

As for stocks, let's take a look at where U.S. futures stand a few hours before the opening bell. And futures are pretty much trading near the flat line after another lower day yesterday.

Now to an awkward moment in the White House as President Trump hosted Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday. Trump was responding to a question about why he didn't notify Japan and other allies about his plan to attack Iran. In response, he brought up Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

[04:45:05]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: One thing you don't want to signal too much. You know, when we go in, went in very hard and we didn't tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Okay, why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?

Okay. Right. He's asking me, you believe in surprise? I think much more so than us.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOLOMON: The Pearl harbor attack pulled the U.S. into World War II in 1941 and left more than 2,400 Americans dead. Takaichi didn't comment on that reference. A White House official says that the two leaders will announce joint investments into U.S. energy projects worth tens of billions of dollars.

This year, the U.S. is celebrating 250 years since its founding. And a council picked by the U.S. President has approved a commemorative coin featuring the U.S. President, President Donald Trump. It has been a century since a sitting president appeared on a commemorative coin. The Commission of Fine Arts, which oversees public buildings, memorials, medals and coins, made sure to consider the size of the new coin as well as the design.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) VOICE OF JAMES MCCRERY, ARCHITECT AND CFA VICE CHAIR: I think the

president likes big things generally. I do, too. It's two inches. A good starting point and to work up from there.

VOICE OF CHAMBERLAIN HARRIS, TRUMP AIDE AND CFA COMMISSIONER: I agree with you, James. I think the larger the better. And the largest of that circulation, I think, would be his preference.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOLOMON: The council is reviewing another proposed Trump coin, this time for $1 currency. It is against the code governing currency to put the image of a sitting president or living former president on money. Democrats have introduced legislation to prohibit any living or sitting president from being featured on any U.S. currency.

And as the Trump administration moves forward with plans to dismantle the Department of Education, the Treasury Department now says that it will take responsibility for federal student loans that are in default. More than 7 million student loan customers are in default, which is defined as at least 270 days without payments. The treasury will eventually take full control of the education department's nearly $1.7 trillion loan portfolio. Critics say that the takeover will increase confusion and create new obstacles in the system.

All right, still to come for us and after the break. Big news about the return of BTS. Just ahead, we will have a live report from South Korea about the K-Pop album that millions of fans have been waiting for. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:50:00]

SOLOMON: Welcome back. Crews of the Kennedy Space center are rolling out the Artemis II rocket as they prepare it for launch as early as April 1st. This is a look at the 12-hour process as the towering rocket creeps along on tractor treads from the vehicle assembly building to the launch pad four miles away. Now when it finally lifts off, four astronauts will go on a 10-day trip looping around but not landing on the moon.

All right, BTS is back. The wildly popular K pop group released a new album called "Arirang" a short time ago. This is their first album after taking off for four years to complete mandatory military service. The new album is a modern take on a beloved traditional Korean folk song of the same name.

Let's get to CNN's Hanako Montgomery. Montgomery who joins us live this morning from Seoul, South Korea. Hanako, I imagine you don't have to look far to find a BTS fan. What have you heard out there? What's the energy like as they prepare to take the stage at some point?

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Rahel, as you mentioned, I'm right in front of the stage where on Saturday we are expecting BTS to perform in their first concert since they took that hiatus nearly four years ago. And just around me, I mean, you can see there is a huge crowd of people going by this concert venue, taking photos, taking videos of this. I mean, it is really a stage to see such a massive concert venue and stage in the middle of a public square like this.

And Rahel, I just want to point out, I don't know if you can see this, but there is a palace right behind this stage and this is where actually this Korean king used to live. And we are hearing reports that actually the seven members of BTS will be exiting this palace and making their way to that stage where again, they will be performing for the first time as a group in four years.

Now, Rahel fans have been telling how excited they are, how thrilled they are to have their favorite K-pop boy band back together as a whole. This one fan said she had no words to describe just how excited she was. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I cannot put it in words. Like we waited for them for almost four years and I became an Army almost eight years ago and it's my very first time to see all seven of them on stage. I saw them in their solo concerts, but never as a group. So, it's my very first time to see all of them on stage. And I -- I cannot put it in words. It's impossible.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MONTGOMERY: And Rahel, I can't over emphasize how significant BTS comeback is for the K-pop music industry and also for the pop music industry in general. I mean, they've spoken at the UN. They've made headlines around the world. They sell out stadiums. And their recently released album, "Arirang", that was released just a few hours ago.

I mean, one music video from that has already racked up 11 million views and it's only been out for what, four to five hours. So, you can just see just how monumental this group is, how significant their comeback is. But unfortunately, a little bit of bad news for BTS fans, for the Army out there.

[04:55:11]

RM the team leader reportedly has an injury. He will still be performing but his dancing and his singing might be slightly limited. But again, Rahel, huge undertaking here in Seoul.

Actually, I do want to point out that the authorities have said that we are expecting over a quarter of a million people to show up to Saturday's event and only a fraction, those people actually have tickets. A majority of people will actually just be flooding these public streets trying to get as close as possible to again their favorite boy band for help.

SOLOMON: Yes, it really says something, Hanako, that you know you could not disappear essentially. You could take a break for four years, but your fan base is still there anxiously awaiting your return when you come back. Trends change so quickly these days. But really nice to see that their fan base is still waiting for them. Hanako Montgomery live for us there in Seoul. Hanako, thank you.

All right, that's going to do it for this hour. Thanks for joining us. Becky Anderson and I will both be back with another hour of early start after this break.

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