Amanpour

Starting a war is easier than ending it, as they say, so two weeks after the US and Israel struck Iran, what is the exit strategy? Christiane Amanpour asks Elliott Abrams, Trump's former special representative for Iran. And as the war spills across the Middle East, Lebanon's Justice Minister Adel Nassar joins the program on his difficult mission to rein in the powerful militia group Hezbollah. Then, a report on the Iranian cluster missile attacks that are shaking Israelis. Plus, a look at the inner workings of the Iranian regime with experts Maryam Alemzadeh and Mostafa Daneshgar. And from the archives, we bring you exclusive footage acquired by CNN in the 1980s, and the story of a 17-year-old boy recruited by Iran's paramilitary group the Basij to act as a human minesweeper.

Air date: March 14, 2026

 

Guests:

Elliott Abrams

     Adel NassarMaryam Alemzadeh & Mostafa Daneshgar
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The war in the Middle East is about to enter its third week with the US and Israel continuing major airstrikes across Iran, Tehran retaliating with asymmetric warfare, and a major situation developing in the Strait of Hormuz. Elliott Abrams was President Trump's point person on Iran during his first term, and he joins the show from Washington DC.  

Also on today's show: author Reza Aslan, “An American Martyr in Persia”; Atlantic staff writer Caitlin Dickerson 

 
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In a statement attributed to him and read by Iranian state TV, Iran's new supreme leader vows revenge, and pledges retribution for the death of his family. He also said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, and called for US bases in the Middle East to be shuttered. Iran is escalating its attacks on global energy supplies and its Gulf neighbors, while President Trump is insisting the US has already won the war. New York Times Magazine staff writer Ronen Bergman joins the show to try and make sense of all this. 

Also on today's show: Jeffrey DeLaurentis, former acting US ambassador to Cuba; former Golman Sachs Chairman/CEO Lloyd Blankfein 

 
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The US-Israel war on Iran is expanding, and regional leaders and aid agencies are warning that a humanitarian disaster is looming. In Lebanon, Israel is pounding southern Beirut, going after what it is describing as Hezbollah targets. It's a resounding message from Iran that, in this asymmetrical war, attacks will not go unanswered. Adel Nassar is Lebanon's justice minister and he joins the show from Beirut. 

Also on today's show: Mostafa Daneshgar, Iranian political analyst & Maryam Alemzadeh, associate professor in history & politics of Iran university of Oxford; Vivian Salama, staff writer, the Atlantic 

 
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It is day 11 of the US-Israeli war with Iran and there is still no clear off-ramp. President Trump claims it will be over "very soon," but he continues to make contradictory statements. In contrast, Iran is clear on its goals and says it is prepared for a long war. Correspondent Fred Pleitgen has seen first hand the human impact of this war and reports from Tehran amid ongoing strikes. 

Also on today’s show: General Joseph Votel, Forner CENTCOM Commander; Lilian Tintori, Venezuelan Human Rights Activist; US Democratic Senator Andy Kim 

 
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