Former US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

Amanpour

CNN

News

4.1 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 19 March 2026

⏱️ 55 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Arab and Islamic states are calling on Iran to cease attacks, while affirming their right to defend themselves under international law. This comes as the war in the Middle East becomes a war on energy, precipitated by Israel's attack on Iran's South Pars gas field on Wednesday, which is a crucial supply for the country. Oman's Foreign Minister, who brokered the recent nuclear talks, called this an "unlawful war" and the Trump administration's "greatest miscalculation," while US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says they're "on plan." Chuck Hagel was a Republican senator who served as US Defense Secretary under President Obama, and is also a decorated army veteran who fought in the Vietnam War. He joins the show from Washington. Also on today's show: Ali Vaez, Iran Project Director, International Crisis Group; Sam Adler-Bell, Contributor, New York Magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Vanta.
0:03.0	Security and compliance done wrong is a headache.
0:06.0	Done right, you build trust and grow faster.
0:08.0	That's Vanta.
0:09.0	For startups, Vanta acts as your first security hire,
0:13.0	using AI to get you compliant fast.
0:15.0	For enterprises, it's your AI-powered hub for compliance,
0:18.0	risk and automating workflows.
0:20.0	From startups like Cursor to enterprises like Snowflake, top companies choose Vantar.
0:25.1	Do security and compliance right.
0:27.1	Get started today at Vantar.com.
0:30.9	Hello everyone and welcome to Ammanpur.
0:37.1	Here's what's coming up.
0:38.3	Donald Trump threatens to massively blow up Iran's largest gas field if attacks on Gulf energy facilities continue.
0:45.3	Is there an off-ramp to this escalation?
0:48.3	Former US Defense Secretary Chuck Hegel joins me then.
0:51.3	Israel's assassination strategy as they knock off the Islamic Republic's leadership.
0:57.2	What's the reaction inside Iran and how does the past inform the present?
1:01.2	I ask Ali Viz of the International Crisis Group.
1:04.9	Plus, journalist Sam Adla Bell speaks to Michelle Martin about the MAGA women who once were all in, but now see, quote, cruel and fickle misogyny. Welcome to the program, everyone. I'm Christiana Manpur in London.
1:39.9	Arab and Islamic states are calling on Iran to cease attacks while affirming their right to defend themselves under international law.
1:48.5	This comes as the war in the Middle East is entering a new phase, a war on energy,
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from CNN, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of CNN and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.