NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Thursday, March 19, 2026
Mar 20, 2026
Rapid Marine deployments to the Middle East and images of strikes hitting Iranian and Saudi energy sites. Political remarks on U.S. military posture and firm denials of ground troop plans. Reports of airport security strain and attacks on TSA officers. Allegations of pay-to-play at a homeland agency. A tragic recovery in Barcelona and a study linking light wine use to heart disease outcomes.
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U.S. Rushes Marines As Energy Attacks Escalate
- U.S. is accelerating troop deployments to the Middle East amid escalating strikes between Israel and Iran.
- NBC reports 2,200 Marines will deploy earlier than expected as attacks on energy facilities ignite major regional tensions and push gas prices up 90 cents a gallon.
Energy Infrastructure Comes Under Direct Fire
- Strikes are directly hitting major energy infrastructure in Iran and Saudi Arabia, worsening global fuel prices.
- NBC aired images of one of the world's largest Iranian gas fields ablaze after an Israeli strike and Saudi installations ignited by intercepted debris.
Trump Warns Israel And Rules Out Ground Troops
- President Trump publicly warned Israel after the strike and reiterated he does not plan to send U.S. ground troops into Iran.
- Trump said he told Prime Minister Netanyahu "don't do that" and later told reporters "No, I'm not putting troops anywhere."