Anderson Cooper 360 Hegseth: War With Iran Has “Only Just Begun”
Mar 5, 2026
Nick Payton Walsh, CNN international security correspondent reporting from Tel Aviv, gives on-the-ground updates about interceptions, sirens, and the security situation. He describes Israeli strikes targeting Tehran and Beirut and how air defenses and combined missile tactics played out. He also explains reporting constraints and what life looks like for people under threat.
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Video Shows Drone Strike And Torpedoed Iranian Warship
- CNN showed footage of an Iranian drone strike on the U.S. consulate in Dubai and said the Pentagon released video of an Iranian warship being torpedoed.
- Anderson Cooper introduced the videos and noted Pentagon claims that Iranian retaliation capacity has been substantially degraded.
Bolton Argues Regime Change Requires Opposition Support
- John Bolton argued regime change should be the objective and stressed building opposition inside Iran.
- He warned the administration failed to prepare public, Congress, and Iranian opposition networks needed for a post-regime transition.
Bolton Sees Regular Army As Postwar Stabilizer
- Bolton claimed the regular Iranian army is larger than the IRGC and could be a source of post-regime stability.
- He estimated regular army/reserves ~800,000 versus Revolutionary Guard ~200,000, urging outreach to defectors.