NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Saturday, March 21, 2026

Episode Date: March 22, 2026

Nuclear sites targeted across Middle East amid war with Iran; Trump admin. rushes to contain rising oil and gas prices amid Iran war; Robert Mueller, former special counsel who led Trump-Russia probe, dies at 81; and more on tonight’s broadcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tonight, the danger's new escalation in the war with Iran, with nuclear sites now in the crosshairs in the Middle East. Iran launching this dramatic strike on a town in Israel today, not far from a nuclear site with more than two dozen hurt. Just hours earlier, an Iranian nuclear site once targeted by the U.S. struck again. Plus, Iran launching a long-range missile at a joint U.S. British base 3,000 miles away. We're live in the region. The growing war, disrupting oil and gas markets and threatening the global economy. The new move from the White House rushing to contain soaring prices. Robert Mueller, who revamped the FBI and led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and Donald Trump, dead at 81.

Crowded airports and long lines. The TSA staffing shortage causing major headaches for the busy spring break weekend. With no end in sight, President Trump now threatened. to send ice agents to airports. The major flood emergency in Hawaii, more than a foot of rain just in 24 hours, thousands of evacuations, mass rescues, and on the West Coast,

the dangerous heat wave putting millions on alert. We're tracking it all. Cuba's government on the verge of collapse as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on the regime and our teams one-on-one with a top Cuban official. The new police body cam video from the night of just Timberlake's DWI arrest. And there's good news tonight about the special bond between this father and daughter

and the creative way she thanked him for his service. This is NBC Nightly News with Jose Diaz Ballard. Good evening. We begin tonight with a dangerous escalation of the war in the Middle East as both sides launch strikes targeting nuclear facilities. In Israel, new video showing an apparent arena. missile striking not far from a nuclear research plant, those attacks injuring more than 30 people, according to the Israelis. And Iran, saying strikes hit a key uranium enrichment site, the same one U.S. planes hit just last June, with nuclear experts now watching closely for any potential leaks.

And then there's a critical resource also in the crosshairs tonight, oil. The U.S. now scrambling to bring down gas prices that have skyrocketed off the continent. conflict. Raft Sanchez starts us off tonight. Tonight, an escalating cycle of attacks targeting nuclear sites across the Middle East. An Iranian missile striking the Israeli town of Demona, home to the nuclear weapons program that Israel has never officially acknowledged. Authorities say more than 30 injured, while a mass casualty event declared in another nearby Israeli city after a direct hit from a ballistic missile.

but no damage reported at the desert nuclear site. Iranian state media says the attack was in response to an airstrike today on Iran's Natanz nuclear base, a hub for uranium enrichment, which was also attacked last year by U.S. B2 bombers. Iran says there's no sign of any radioactive leak, while the U.N.'s nuclear agency calling for military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident. Central Command not saying if the U.S. was behind the attack, its commander giving this update. Iran has lost significant combat capability over the last three weeks. We also remain zeroed in on dismantling Iran's decades-old threat to the free flow of commerce

throughout the Strait of Hormuz. While at home in the U.S., funerals today for four of the 13 service members killed in the war. Among them, Major Cody Cork laid to rest in central Florida. His memory will be forever be cherished by those who love him and by the nation he proudly served. While across the Muslim world, the end of Ramadan means presents for children. These kids are among the one million people displaced in Lebanon by Israel's expanding offensive against Hezbollah.

This space actually used to be a restaurant, and now you can see it's a camp for people who had to flee their homes. Rahaf six and her little sister Lynn fled with their family from South. Lebanon. I really miss home because I had lots of nice toys and I used to play with them, she tells us. A home, it's not clear when or if they'll ever return to. Ralph Sanchez joins us now from Beirut. And Ralph, a lot of concern tonight after Iran targeted a U.S.-UK. joint military base in the Indian Ocean. Yeah, Jose, that base is two and a half thousand miles from Iran. Most experts did not believe Iran had a weapon

capable of that range. But we should say the attack failed. None of those missiles reached their target. And so it is not clear Iran has a reliable way of striking at that distance. I'll second. Ralph Sanchez in Beirut. Thank you. With oil and gas prices soaring, the global economy is facing a significant threat. In fact, the CEO of one major airline saying oil could reach $175 a barrel. Kathy Park with how the White House is trying to contain the damage. With gas prices across the country surging 94 cents since a war with Iran began, everything just seems to be going up.

The Trump administration is looking for new ways to calm rattled oil markets. It used to be 60-something to fill my tank. Now it's 90-something to fill my tank. Treasury Secretary Scott Besson now announcing that the U.S. will allow for the limited sale of previously sanctioned Iranian oil. It comes as the cost of U.S. crude sits just below $100 a barrel. President Trump trying to offer reassurance. Now that's exactly what business leaders are worried about. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby writing in a memo to employees, our plans assume oil goes to $175 a barrel and doesn't get back down to $100 a barrel until the end of 2027.

This would be a huge hit to the U.S. consumer if we did reach that $175 mark. Halima Croft, a commodity strategist, says with the straight of her moves effectively closed and no clear solution in sight. Gas prices in the U.S. could reach a staggering $7 a gallon if the war drags on. The highest recorded national average was just over $5 in 2022. Transportation is how we move goods everywhere in the country. So that will be passed on. If you get on a plane, you're going to see much higher airfare. Think about how we're going to be trucking goods across the country.

It goes beyond simply what you put in your car. It's going to affect everything regarding transportation. With the war deepening abroad, a growing risk of the economy here at home. Kathy Park, NBC News. And just in tonight, former FBI director Robert Mueller has died at the age of 81. Mueller revamped the agency in the wake of 9-11, but he will most likely be best known for leading the investigation into President Donald Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. Here's Julie Sirkin. The family of Robert Mueller is mourning his death, writing in a statement, with deep sadness we are sharing the news that Bob passed away last night.

They did not provide a cause of death, but in 2025, revealed he was battling Parkinson's. Mueller captured national attention, leading the FBI through a tumultuous 12 years after the 9-11 attacks. But it's his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election that history will remember most. seen a number of challenges to our democracy. The Russian government's effort to interfere in our election is among the most serious. That two-year probe, culminating in what became known as the Mueller report, Trump frequently fuming as Mueller's investigation wound on. All we hear about is this phoning Russia. The report ultimately concluded Russia did meddle in the election, but found no conspiracy between President Donald Trump's campaign and the Russian government.

Mueller standing by his findings. Absolutely. That was not a hoax. The report also drawing controversy for not reaching a conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice for his behavior during the investigation. Trump tonight reacting to Mueller's death, posting on social media, quote, Good. I'm glad he's dead. Mueller, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, went on to become the same. second longest serving FBI director in history. His tenure spanned Republican and Democratic

administrations. He took office just one week before the September 11th attacks, after which President Bush tasked him with transforming the Bureau to combat future terror threats. He'll be a much better FBI and redirected FBI to this new mission. Jose Mueller took over an agency built to solve crimes. He rebuilt it from the ground up to prevent them, In the wake of 9-11, Mueller changed the mission of the FBI to focus on counterterrorism, transforming national security in the U.S. Jose? Julie Circuit traveling with the president in West Palm Beach. Thank you. And now to the growing travel chaos as long lines stretch on at airports across the country.

And now the president is threatening to send ICE agents to airports. Valerie Castro reports. Tonight, TSA travel woes causing scenes like this at airports. in Atlanta, New York City, and Houston. A sea of people trying to escape for spring break, instead finding themselves trapped in long security lines. Oh, I don't know. A couple thousand people are all right now.

On truth social, President Trump saying he'll move ICE agents to the airports where they will do security starting Monday, adding he has told them to get ready, while Elon Musk on X offering to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse. An attempt by Senate Democrats to advance a bill funding just the TSA. The motion is not agreed to. Failing to secure enough votes today.

TSA officers going on 36 days without pay as the partial government shutdown continues with no sign of a resolution. The TSA saying more than 400 officers have quit their jobs, others are calling in sick. Friday, more than a quarter of officers didn't show up at JFK. Roughly a third were a no show in Atlanta and at Houston's Hobby Airport more than half. Some are getting second jobs to make ends meet. I have a really good friend that is part of the TSA. He's reached out to me a couple of times about things that are going on and maybe other job opportunities for him,

but he is definitely struggling right now. Denver International Airport setting up a collection box. Today we dropped off some gift cards to grocery stores and gas stations, quite a few for them to use, hopefully. At Newark Liberty, some arriving early to avoid any problems. I didn't know what to expect, and I've been tracking it online. Whatever the solution, travelers are anxious for the turbulence to end. Valerie Castro joins me from Newark International Airport.

Valerie, how long should travelers plan to wait at airports across the country? Well, Jose, it really varies depending on where you are departing from. Right now at Houston's Bush Intercontinental. There is an estimated 80-minute wait at one of the security checkpoints there. Here at Newark in Terminal A, it's less than 10 minutes. and things have been running smoothly here for most of the day. Jose? Valerie Castro at Newark Airport.

Thank you. We're also following the growing flood emergency in Hawaii tonight, where mass rescues and evacuations are underway after days and days of heavy rains. Dana Griffin has the latest. Leave now. The message overnight for more than 4,000 people on Oahu, Hawaii's most populated island, as flooding wreaks habit across the state. What the fuck on?

At one point, one of the island's largest dams was at risk of imminent failure. Days of unrelenting rain washing out streets and highways. The governor warning, the damage could top $1 billion. Look, we've been through a lot these last 10 days. In some places in our state, we've had between 40 and 50 inches of rain. At least 200 people have been rescued from flooded homes by Coast Guard members not getting paid during the partial government shutdown. More than 4,000 have lost power. Okay, look at the street.

This house washed off its foundation onto the beach. Like this is insane looking at it from the side. All roads along the North Shore in Wailua, now at high risk of failure, according to the city, making it impossible for some families to get out. Floodwatches remain in effect through Sunday impacting almost every Hawaiian island. Even after the rain's end, threats of mudslides will linger for days as the full. ground remained saturated. This is the largest flood that we've had in Hawaii in 20 years. On the mainland, the threat isn't from rain, but extreme heat as nine million are under heat alerts that have set daily records out west. Death Valley this week reaching 105, along with Phoenix,

in Yuma, Arizona, 109. Teddy Griffin joins me. Now, Dan, can we expect to see any relief from the heat? Eventually, this weekend across the country, temperatures are going to remain 10 to 30 degrees above normal. Here in L.A., we will get a brief cooldown, but starting next week, we could expect those heat advisories to return. Jose? Dana Griffin, thank you. Still ahead tonight. Our inside look at the growing tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, as the U.S. ramps up pressure on the regime. And now to the Caribbean and the U.S. pressure campaign against the Cuban regime.

As President Trump, signals change could be coming to the island. And tonight, officials in Havana are pushing back. Tonight, Cuba's government is pushing back on President Trump's pressure campaign. The regime's deputy foreign minister speaking exclusively to our Kristen Welker. Is the United States insisting on regime change in order to give Cuba economic relief? I don't know what they're insisting among themselves. The structure of the Cuban government and the members of the Cuban government are not part of the negotiation. Are you saying that regime changes off the table?

Absolutely. Just 90 miles from the U.S., Cuba has been under the iron grip of the Castro family for more than 60 years. But now, for the first time in decades, the regime could be on the brink of collapse. As President Trump suggests some sort of action could be imminent. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the administration's point person on Cuba, blasting the regime as incompetent. People in charge, they don't know how to fix it. So they have to get new people in charge. Cuba is just the latest focus of President Trump's foreign policy.

After the U.S. carried out a daring military operation in January that captured Venezuela's authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, along with the ongoing war with Iran. Inside Cuba, more than 9 million people are grappling with constant power outages and a growing humanitarian crisis. Independent journalist Boris Gonzalez Arenes says Cuba has been progressively breaking down for 60 years. He says Cuba has sewage water mixed with drinking water. No cooking gas, no light in the streets.

And when Cubans protest, he adds, they simply receive institutional violence. And now, that crisis is the backdrop for what the administration could be planning next. And don't miss more of Chris and Welker's exclusive interview with Cuba's deputy foreign minister tomorrow on Meet the Press here at NBC. We're back in a moment with newly released body cam video from police on the night of Justin Timberlake's DWI arrest. That's next. Back now with a new round of talks to end the war in Ukraine this time here in the U.S. and without Russia at a table. Ukrainian President Zelensky said his representatives met with U.S. envoy Steve Whitkoff and President Trump. son-in-law Jared Kushner. It comes after a Russian drone strike in Ukraine today killed two people.

Also tonight, police releasing this new video of Justin Timberlake taken during his DWI arrest back in 2024. In the video, you can see he struggled to perform field sobriety tests when he was asked to walk in a straight line and stand on one leg. It comes after his lawyers tried to block the video's release and after he pleaded guilty to impere driving in 2024. Spring is officially here, and so is the National Cherry Blossom Festival at the National Mall in Washington. The four-week festival celebrates friendship between the people in the U.S. and Japan, which also, of course, is famous for its cherry blossoms.

The National Park Service says D.C. is about halfway to peak bloom. When we come back, there's good news tonight about the special birthday message that made this little boys day. There's good news tonight. So often the good news doesn't get as much attention as the bad. So every Saturday, we highlight the many people who spread joy and love. And these are just some of those stories this week. Her last parcel.

In Connecticut, this neighborhood came together to thank someone special. Oh, my guys. Thank you all. That's their mail carrier, Sherry Zatani, on her last run after more than 20. years on the job. But this time, Sherry got her own special delivery. And you've been a hard to give you to thank you all for all the time. We'll miss you, Sherry. Happy birthday, too. This milestone wasn't just about singing for one-year-old Boston. His family and friends learned to sign the birthday.

birthday song for the birthday boy. Boston's parents had been practicing before the party, but never expected everyone to join him. At San Francisco International Airport, the reunion this family has been waiting for. That's U.S. Navy Petty Officer Stephen Quang, reuniting with his family thanks to the organization Miles from Military, which helps active duty service members trade in their volunteer hours. for flights home. Being reunited of my family means a lot to me. I haven't seen them in a long time.

You please show me out of service for the final time. And in Texas, this dad's final call was one to remember. It's been an honor serving with you. Thank you. That's Officer Christopher Douglas speaking. And on the other end of the line, it's his daughter, Nouvea Creech. 1602, go ahead. But on this day, she's showing him out on his final day of service.

After proudly serving in the United States Air Force, Officer Douglas continued his commitment to service in 2005. When he began his law enforcement career, you leave behind a legacy that will continue to inspire. Thank you for your service, your heart for others, and your dedication to this profession. That's when Nouvea went off script. A lot of people know you as Officer Douglas. But I know you as my dad, a man who is of utmost faith and sacrifice. What did it mean to you to be able to give you? give your dad's final call.

It was really special. It's just a nice feeling to get to do that for, like, your parent because they're also living life. It was just very surreal and just a flood wave of emotions. I mean, just 21 years just of memories just flooding through my head. I'm so proud of you. Time to put on another hat, Dad. We're all so proud of you.

That's NBC Nightly News for this Saturday. Hallie Jackson will be here tomorrow night. I'm Jose Diazbollart. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Good night.