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Early Start with Rahel Solomon
Iran: Hormuz Will Be "Completely Closed" If Power Plants Hit; Oil Surges As Iran Threatens To Close Hormuz Indefinitely; Authorities Giving Update On Deadly LaGuardia Incident. Aired 4:30-5a ET
Aired March 23, 2026 - 04:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[04:32:51]
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back. I'm Becky Anderson, live from our Middle East headquarters in Abu Dhabi, where the time is just after half past midday.
We are now less than 24 hours away from President Trump's new deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In a social media post on Saturday, Trump threatened to, quote, "obliterate Iran's power plants if the waterway is not fully reopened within 48 hours." In response, Iran says it is prepared to close the critical trade route completely and indefinitely if those energy sites are attacked.
Meanwhile, just hours ago, at least one Iranian missile carrying a cluster warhead could be seen above Israel, Jerusalem and the West Bank and the Israeli military says its working to cut off Hezbollah's weapons and supply lines near Israels northern border.
The IDF aims to destroy all bridges over the strategic Litani river, which links southern Lebanon with the rest of the country.
I want to get you a view now from the region where I am. We're in the Gulf, of course. I'm in the UAE.
Let's bring in Abdulkhaleq Abdulla. He's a professor of political science at United Arab Emirates University.
It's good to have you this morning. And certainly, the UAE and the Gulf region are on high alert ahead of that deadline this morning. The Iranians have threatened to hit critical civilian infrastructure, should Donald Trump come good on his threat. First and foremost, I want to get your reaction to this post on X by the UAE's presidents diplomatic adviser, Anwar Gargash.
He says, Abdulkhaleq, and I quote, "Our thinking does not stop at a ceasefire, but rather turns towards solutions that ensure lasting security in the Arabian Gulf, curbing the nuclear threat, missiles, drones and the bullying of the straits. It is inconceivable," he says, "that this aggression should turn into a permanent state of threat."
What do you make of that? [04:35:02]
ABDULKHALEQ ABDULLA, PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, UAE UNIVERSITY: I think probably Dr. Anwar has in mind the fact that today we are faced with an ugly Iran that is run completely, totally by IRGC, the Iranian or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, which is considered a terrorist state by nearly 40 countries in the world. They are in complete control in Iran. They have turned Iran from the ideological Iran to a more militarized Iran, very dangerous, very ugly, going from bad Iran to ugly Iran.
And this also applies to the strait of Hormuz, Becky. The Hormuz is today completely, totally controlled, hijacked by a terrorist organization that is in control of Tehran and running the show. And that should not be acceptable, not just to us, but to the 193 countries in the world that depend on the Strait of Hormuz.
ANDERSON: I note your use of the term terrorist regime there. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the UAE deputy prime minister and foreign minister, posted on X and I quote, "We will never be blackmailed by terrorists." I wonder what the use of that language tells us about how the UAE and frankly, other Gulf states now view Iran and how their official statements and language are hardening as this conflict escalates.
What's the calculus here?
ABDULLA: Very simple, Becky. I think, you know, we've been dealing with a bad Iran over the past 47 years. Bad Iran mean -- meant expansionist Iran -- meant ideologically. Iran. It was bad. Iran all along after in the past three weeks, four weeks almost now, we are confronted with an ugly Iran. Once again, it's not a terrorist state, but it is run by a terrorist organization, not by my standard or your standard. But by something like 40 different countries in the world.
This is an ugly Iran that we are confronted with, and we are the first to confront it. And I think it's now after what it has done in Hormuz, it is the duty of everybody, not just America to come by and free and do not surrender and do not let this go away without being punished. And I think America is there, but also some 22 countries in the world has already expressed, a readiness to free strait of Hormuz from the control of this terrorist organization that is running the show in Tehran.
ANDERSON: The next 48 hours are crucial, and I've had those very words quoted to me by one Gulf official today, very familiar with the thinking. The Gulf states do have, or certainly some of them now do have approvals for restocking and defense needs. They say the U.S. has been very supportive. And the GCC, perhaps with the exception of Oman, is closely aligned.
Just talk to us about how this level of coordination and preparedness suggest what it suggests about the direction of this conflict and where it's headed.
ABDULLA: Well, Iran is almost today public enemy number one to all of the six GCC states. Public enemy number one, Iran is to all of us, not just to UAE, which got the brunt of all these attacks over the past three weeks. Saudi Arabia, Qatar. Kuwait, Bahrain, et cetera. Even Oman has got -- attacked by Iran in the past three, almost four weeks now.
So, I think we are in together. However, maybe there is some kind of division of labor. There is some kind of. You know, differences here over how do we deal with this public enemy number one.
Maybe Oman has its own way. So be it. That's a diplomatic way of dealing with this, but I think we are all in this together, that this is the time where we need to face up to this public enemy number one, Iran together. And I think we will use every means possible to be part of an international coalition today to open this international waterway, Hormuz. And from there, let's see how things unfold.
SOLOMON: Some insight for you this morning, from Abdulkhaleq Abdulla. Thank you very much indeed for joining us.
[04:40:03]
We are going to continue with this breaking news programming, folks, right after this.
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SOLOMON: Welcome back.
Let's take a moment to see how U.S. futures are looking ahead of today's opening bell. President Trump, of course, threatening to strike Iranian power plants unless the strait of Hormuz is reopened. And that threat not boding well for investors. As you can see, futures are under pressure between 5/10 of a percent for Dow to three quarters of 1 percent for the Nasdaq. We'll watch it closely.
[04:45:01]
And Iran's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely, not helping lower oil prices. Brent crude, the global benchmark, peaking at over $114 a barrel on Sunday before dropping back down slightly. Right now, it is sitting just above $113. Let's call it $113.60 a barrel.
Meanwhile, WTI is also pushing higher, hovering at about $99, a little less than $100 per barrel right now.
And those high fuel costs are colliding with the spring travel season here in the U.S., the AAA auto association reports the national average for a gallon of gas has climbed to $3.94. That is up nearly a dollar when compared to last month's prices. Before the conflict began.
CNN spoke to the head of petroleum analysis at the online price tracker GasBuddy, and he's predicting that the national average for U.S. gas prices will likely hit $4 per gallon a little later today. He also says that even after the war ends, it may still take months for prices to come down. Have a listen.
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PATRICK DE HAAN, HEAD OF PETROLEUM ANALYSIS, GASBUDDY: This may not be as short in terms of the amount of time we spend at elevated levels. 2022, the national average only saw $5 a gallon for seven days before it then plummeted for much of the rest of the year. We're not talking about a quick plummet, and every day this goes on, it's not going to be a quick plummet. It's going to be a snail's pace for as long as this continues to stretch out, because it will take much more time for markets to global mend and for them to resupply themselves.
So, the sticker shock may continue, though there could be relief if it does improve, there still will be an element of much higher prices likely for the next several months and into the summer.
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SOLOMON: And with the war now in its fourth week, rising gas prices could erase some of the tax refunds that Americans got from President Trump's big, beautiful bill. And with many people saying that they're spending more at the grocery store and on other shopping trips, it raises the question of how Americans are feeling about the economy and Trump's second term.
Our chief data analyst, Harry Enten, has a closer look.
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HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Look, a lot of the political tension over the last month has been about the Iran war. But voters are telling us over and over again that it's the economy, it's the economy that will matter like it does for most elections.
And new numbers out from CBS News. If I were in the White House, only one word to describe them. Yikes. Yikes. My goodness. I mean, just take a look here. Trump will or is making you financially worse off or better off.
You go back to just before Trump was reelected to a second term. The plurality said better off at 44 percent. That number has fallen through the floor. Now, we're talking just 18 percent. Just 18 percent say Trump's policies are making them better off. And that plurality in favor of better off has switched to a majority, saying worse off.
Look at this, up like a rocket from 38 percent in October of 2024 up there now to 53 percent of Americans saying Trump's policies are making them worse off fiscally. So, that is now a 35 point margin in favor of worse off compared to a six point margin in terms of in favor of better off just before the election. That's what that said. Over 40 point switcheroo.
Among independents who, of course, ultimately usually decide the elections here in the United States of America, the numbers are even more troublesome for the White House. Take a look here. Okay, independent indies, Trump will or is making
you fiscally worse off. Better off. Just before the election. The slight plurality, though within the margin of error said better off 40 percent to 38 percent worse off. Come over to this side of the screen.
Look at this, three in five Americans who are independents say that Trump is making them worse off financially, 60 percent now, just 13 percent of independents say Trump is making them better off financially. That's a 47 point margin in favor of worse off compared to a two-point margin in favor of better off. Just before Trump was reelected. That's a nearly 50 point switcheroo.
Now, ultimately, this puts Trump in company. Historic company you don't want to be. He's the leader of the pack or less than the pack when it comes to 21st century presidents and how Americans are viewing them on the economy, at least among independents. Look at this 21st century presents economic net approval ratings at this point in term two, among independents, Trump is 48 points under.
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SOLOMON: I want to get to get you to a press conference that's happening at LaGuardia Airport on the heels of that deadly collision. Let's listen together.
KATHRYN GARCIA, PORT AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: -- passengers and crew were transported to the hospital as well as the armed officers. At this time, we understand that 32 have been released, but there are also serious injuries.
Sorry.
Sadly -- I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Sadly, the two pilots are confirmed deceased and notifications are being made by air Canadas care team at this time. Families were directed to the Air Canada ticket counter to be reunited with their families, and we understand that the one unaccompanied minor has been reunited with their families. It is anticipated that the airport will be closed at least until 2:00 p.m. this afternoon to facilitate the investigation by NTSB, which has already begun to be on site at this time.
I'll take any questions.
SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN SENIOR CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Hello. Shimon Prokupecz from CNN. Can you just tell us the rescue vehicle that was on its way somewhere? Can you give us any details about what that in that position?
GARCIA: Certainly, the vehicle was responding to another aircraft operated by United that had reported an issue with odor.
REPORTER: I believe there may have been some traffic suggesting that the truck was told to stop. Why didn't --
GARCIA: The NTSB will investigate exactly what went on in this crash, and I will defer to them in all of those aspects.
REPORTER: In terms of when the plane landed, like how soon after did the crash occur from when it landed? To when was --
GARCIA: The collision occurred during landing.
REPORTER: The plane was moving when it collided with that vehicle?
GARCIA: NTSB will determine what the speed of the aircraft at the time.
REPORTER: Any indication of air traffic control shortages, and if that could occur.
GARCIA: Again, I will refer to NTSB who will make that determination on who was in the control tower at the time.
REPORTER: Was anyone ejected from the aircraft?
GARCIA: We're going to leave that to be part of the investigation at this time, as we're going through family notifications.
REPORTER: Could you update the condition again of the two on the on the truck?
GARCIA: Absolutely. The two officers, the sergeant and the police officer are in stable condition with no life-threatening injuries.
REPORTER: No injuries --
GARCIA: I have visited both of them in the hospital, as has the chairman. And they were able to speak and were notifying their families.
REPORTER: Would you mentioned something already? I'm sorry if you already answered this question, but we understand that the truck was which respond to another incident. Just elaborate on that a little bit.
GARCIA: A pilot who had had multiple attempts at takeoff requested support. They're responding to that request.
REPORTER: What's the normal like? How does this work? What's the procedure when one of your rescue vehicles is about to enter, let's say tarmac or runway? Can you just talk a little bit about what the procedure is?
GARCIA: Certainly, the procedure always is in deference to the control tower. Anytime anyone is moving on any of our runways or taxiways.
REPORTER: So, they have to get clearance from the tower.
GARCIA: They have to get clearance from the tower to move on our runways, and our taxiways. REPORTER: Can you give clearance on what the timeline is right now,
what's happening now, and what can we expect to happen in the next few hours?
GARCIA: So most of the passengers have now left the terminal. They were, either transported to Elmhurst or presbyterian hospital in queens. Those who did not get transported were taken to the lounge. Their families came and they were reunited. I believe there are very few still here.
NTSB arrived -- the first portion of NTSB arrived approximately 3:30 this morning. More investigators we anticipate to be on site around six this morning. And then we will follow their lead on what their investigation requires. And they will have the time they need to make that determination
REPORTER: Is that the earliest it could reopen?
GARCIA: That is the earliest it could reopen.
REPORTER: That could be later?
GARCIA: It could be later if they decide that they need additional time as part of their investigation.
REPORTER: Was the seat occupied or not?
GARCIA: We do not know at this time.
REPORTER: We don't know. So there could be.
GARCIA: Oh, no. We know that we are all people who are on the plane have been accounted for.
REPORTER: Can you talk a little bit about the nine people who are still in the hospital, whatever that is?
GARCIA: I can't speak to their injuries at this time, but we know that some of them are serious.
REPORTER: Is there any --
GARCIA: I apologize, I can't hear.
REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE)
GARCIA: I do not have a number, but we can probably get that for you.
REPORTER: The airport was operating normally before this happened. Were there any during the weather conditions? Was there anything else that was reported?
GARCIA: But our understanding is was operating normally at the time.
REPORTER: The recap as of now, the pilots are the only seems to be.
GARCIA: At this time, the two fatalities are the pilots.
All right. Thank you, everyone.
REPORTER: Thank you. Thank you.
REPORTER: Do we have any information on the pilots or any male, female --
GARCIA: We don't have demographic information, but we do understand that they operated out of Canada as their locale.
[04:55:00]
REPORTER: Could you summarize the fatalities of the injured just so we have a sense.
GARCIA: And let me just also preface this with this is still preliminary information and could change. But our understanding is that approximately 41 people were transported and 32 were released and that we have two deceased who are, who were transported by the medical examiner's office.
REPORTER: And they were the pilots?
GARCIA: And they were the pilots.
REPORTER: The airport, when is it reopening? I know there was a time.
GARCIA: So, it will reopen. The earliest it will reopen will be 2:00 p.m., but that is subject to change depending on what NTSB needs.
Thank you.
REPORTER: Thank you, thank you.
SOLOMON: All right. You've just been listening to Kathryn Garcia, who's the Port Authority executive director, providing an update for members of the press after this morning's deadly collision at LaGuardia Airport.
Just a few takeaways from what we heard from Garcia there. She did confirm that the two pilots who were on board that flight did in fact die. She said that there are serious injuries among people who are in the hospital, that includes, obviously, the passengers who were on that plane.
We know that more than 70 people were on the plane at the time of the collision, she says. 32 people have already been released, she says of those who were in the hospital. Again, some of the injuries are serious.
We're going to continue to follow this throughout the next hour and throughout the morning on CNN. But for now, I'm Rahel Solomon live in New York. I'll be back with Becky Anderson for more news after this short break.
Stay with us.
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