NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Saturday, March 7, 2026

Episode Date: March 8, 2026

New strikes pound Tehran after Trump vows to hit Iran ‘hard;” Trump oversees return of fallen American troops amid war with Iran; Gas prices skyrocket rapidly as war with Iran rages; 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, President Trump warning of complete destruction as he vows to ramp up American strikes in Iran. Massive fireballs lighting up the skies over Tehran tonight. Iran rejecting President Trump's call for unconditional surrender and issues a new warning to neighboring countries. And the growing crisis in Lebanon, half a million displaced by Israeli strikes. The president making his first comments about the strike that destroyed an elementary school, now blaming Iran for the deadly attack and saying the U.S. could send troops into Iran to secure nuclear facilities. This, as the remains of the six Americans killed overseas, are returned home. Another huge fire from a drone strike on a U.S. oil facility in Iraq.

Gas and oil prices soaring. How high they could go and what it means for your wallet. Deadly tornadoes ripping through several states. This neighborhood flattened. roofs torn completely off, homes reduced to rubble, were tracking it all. The newly released body camp video raising more questions about a deadly shooting involving federal officers. The Paralympian going for gold and helping his competition along the way. And there's good news tonight about the act of kindness that made this little girl smile when she needed it most.

This is NBC Nightly News. with Jose Diaz Belard. Good evening. We begin tonight with the president vowing to hit Iran hard in escalating attacks in Tehran. You can see the results. The sky turning orange

as strikes pounded the Capitol. Our producer there describing non-stop explosions. It comes as we saw a rare apology from Iran's president offering to back off its Gulf neighbors but with one condition. Here at home, President Trump

made his first public comments about this strike on an elementary school that killed more than 170 people, most of them children. Earlier in the day, the president was on hand for the return. First American service members killed in this conflict, later telling reporters that U.S. troops could be sent into Iran. We're covering every angle of this story from here to the Middle East, and we start with Danielle Hamamjian in Beirut. The night skies over Tehran turning orange.

as Iranians experienced some of the heaviest bombardment of this war. State media saying that the strikes hit a gas depot and an oil refinery. This, after a warning by President Trump, that Iran today would be hit hard. Earlier, it was Iran's busiest airport that was the target. Israel later saying it was being used to transfer weapons to regime allies in the region. Today's attacks on Iran coming after strikes on U.S. oil giants Halliburton and KBR, fire breaking out in their offices and warehouses in Iraq. As Israel and the U.S. continue to trade blows with Iran, neighboring countries continue to be dragged

into this conflict. But the Iranian president today striking a different tone. Masoud Peshqyan apologizing to Middle East neighbors, saying the regime will no longer attack them unless their territory is used to attack Iran. No sign President Trump is softening his stance, declaring no deal with Iran except unconditional surrender. The president on board Air Force One was asked about reports based on the U.S.'s own assessment that American munition was used in the strike on an Iranian school that killed 170 people, mostly children.

Based on what I've seen, that was done by Iran, Is that true, Mr. Higsen? It was Iran who did that? We're certainly investigating. This war pulling in Lebanon, where the Iran-backed group, Hezbollah, is trading fire with Israel. And the toll of this growing conflict

is being felt right across the country. An estimated half a million civilians have been displaced, many fleeing to central Beirut for refuge, but finding little relief. A disused city mall has taken on a new purpose. Vacant shot. turned into makeshift shelters.

It's here I meet 11-year-old Asel, who, like so many children, has grown far to accustomed to war. How do you feel? Scared? No. Not scared? No, no. Why?

How? My mom? I'm brave, she says. She'll return home with her mom when this war ends, she tells me. But when that will be is anyone's guess, even the youngest he. know that. And Danielle joins us from Beirut tonight.

Danielle, the Israelis issuing yet another urgent evacuation warning tonight. That's right, Jose. And it appeared to be directed at those residents who didn't leave after the first evacuation order a couple of days ago, suggesting yet more strikes are about to hit this city and more people are about to be displaced. Jose. Danielle Hamajian in Beirut, thank you. President Trump oversaw.

the return of the remains of six American service members killed overseas, while later in the day telling reporters that some U.S. troops could eventually be sent into Iran. Kelly O'Donnell reports. A day of striking contrast for President Trump. It's been a pretty wild time, but it's going very well. Swagger over U.S. military action against Iran. Abord Air Force One pressed about a potential role for U.S. ground forces. The president kept his options open. Could there be possible for a very good reason?

Have to be very good reason. Meeting with a dozen Latin American leaders here in Dural, Florida. The president boasted about U.S. might, from ousting Venezuela's Nicolas Nicolas Maduro to strikes against drug boats and talk of toppling Cuba's communist leadership. Could you do us a favor? Take care of Cuba.

I'll take care of it, okay. But a wartime president, also faces the price of conflict. Very sad situation to greet the families of the heroes coming home from Iran. The solemnity of today's ritual at Dover, Delaware, as six American soldiers, ages 20 to 54, Army reservists, made the journey home. Sons, husbands, a mother of two, draped by the flag, killed in Kuwait, an Iranian drone. The president, first lady, top administration officials and governors paid their

respects. Their families grieve, their nation, grateful for their sacrifice. The president also suggested that if he were to deploy American forces on the ground inside Iran, that would likely come after Iran's military is, quote, so decimated they would not be able to fight at the ground level. Jose? say? Kelly O'Donnell, thank you. The war in Iran is also sending oil and gasoline prices skyrocketing here. Ali Kanao has the latest. Since the U.S. war with Iran began one week ago, filling up has become a lot more expensive. 43 cents a gallon more. I was driving here today thinking, all right, what can I give up in order to get gas? The national average for gas now hitting $3.41 a gallon as crude oil prices surge.

Are you having to pull back on anything? Yeah, having to pull back, spending money on food, going out, entertainment. Central to the soaring prices, the straight of Hermuz, a critical waterway along Iran's southern coast, where roughly one-fifth of the world's oil flows through every day, or at least did. But now, a little traffic moves through the straight as Iran's armed. forces vowed to strike passing ships affiliated with the U.S. or Israel. Kuwait announcing today it is reducing oil production given the risk. The Trump administration now scrambling on options to keep prices and supply in check, including possibly easing sanctions on oil from Russia and other

countries. There are hundreds of millions of sanctioned barrels of sanction crude on the water and in essence by unsanctioning them, Treasury can create supply. But with oil sector infrastructure now coming under attack, the risk to the world's energy supply is mounting. I think in a long run, everybody's going to be happy because I think we're going to be paying less money for fuel than any country in the world. And it might just be the beginning of this price surge. Analysts say we could hit $4 a gallon as soon as next week. Prices could spike even more if other countries join Kuwait and pulling back on oil production. Jose?

Allie Canal, thank you. Severe weather slammed through parts of Oklahoma and Michigan with deadly consequences. George Solis reports from the storm zone. Is that a tornado? Is that a tornado? The massive tornado cloud in Michigan. Oh my God. Oh my God. Gripping through the southern part of the state. Tree after tree uprooted from the ground. Several crashing into homes. Oh my God. In Cass County, Michigan, a tornado took the life of a 12-year-old boy. One of four reported storm-related deaths in the state. In Oklahoma, where multiple tornadoes hit, powerful winds shredding this roof in Tulsa,

destroying vehicles and leaving trees scattered across roadways. We prayed for safety for my daughter. I prayed safety for my family and God spared us. In Bristow, Oklahoma, Darren Dean saw his neighborhood torn apart. The neighbors across the road there, they pretty much lost everything. At least four are dead in Oklahoma from tornadoes. We're used to this, but we got used to tragedies like this. And our hearts go out to the families and to the members of our community.

Where I'm standing used to be this homeowner shed. It's now scattered to the wind. And to give you a sense of how powerful this likely tornado was, this RV not only flipped on its side, but facing in the wrong direction. It was actually lined up this way. The tongue was over there. That's now almost to my house. John Baccombe, evacuating to safety.

You can't help account your blessings that I did go to the shelter. Survivors now beginning the long process of cleaning up. George releases in Bristol, Oklahoma, and George forecasts show that the area could soon be hit again. 31 million people at risk for severe weather here in the plains. As early as Tuesday, Jose, which means homeowners like this one are in a race against time to clean up all of this debris and get this under all of this debris here, there's a car. Jose. George Solis, thank you. Still ahead tonight, the newly released BodyCamp video raising new questions about a deadly encounter involving federal agents.

Now to the new body cam video out of Texas tonight raising new questions about a fatal shooting involving federal immigration agents. Steve Patterson has this report. Stop them. Tonight, tense moments before that fatal burst of fire. Newly released body and security camp video showing the deadly encounter between a federal agent and 23-year-old Rubin Martinez. Shot fire, shots fired, shot fire, shot fired. The videos released by the Texas Department of Public Safety show police redirecting traffic on South Padre Island in March of last year, assisted by Homeland Security agents. Martinez, behind the wheel of that blue sedan, is seen approaching the intersection and receiving instructions, then pulling forward before applying brake lights.

Officers scrambling as three distinct gunshots ring out. An agent rip him out of the car. Last month, DHS said an agent fired those shots in self-defense and Martinez intentionally ran over another agent before being shot and killed. The videos don't clearly show whether Martinez hit an agent. Attorneys for Martinez's mother pushing back on DHS's account saying these new videos confirmed that Ruben's car was barely moving when he was shot, that he was breaking, not accelerating. The department's claim also refuted by an eyewitness who was just inches away.

Joshua Orta, the passenger that night, told lawyers for Martinez's family that Rubin was unarmed, nonviolent, not fleeing. Orta was killed last month in an unrelated San Antonio car crash. reached out to immigration officials and the Texas DPS for response to the videos, but have yet to hear back. Tonight, this new perspective only reinforcing the objections of a grieving family. Steve Patterson, NBC News. We're back in a moment with the Team USA Paralympian who's going for gold while also helping the competition next. With the Paralympics officially underway in Milan, Team USA is going for gold tonight, but one American Paralympian is also trying to help his competition. Here's Emily Ikeda.

When Mike Schultz isn't charging down a mountain, working out in the gym or tending to his family's horses. Here, Chief. He's here, his workshop in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The next shop in here is our assembly room. It's where he designed and built his own high-performance prosthetic, that he is now using. at the Paralympic Games in Italy. What gave you the confidence to decide I can build this? My second passionate life is I'm a creator.

I love to have an idea and go out to my shop and just build it. And what better project to work on than your own leg? Schultz's left leg was amputated above the knee after he was thrown from his snowmobile while racing in 2008. It only took the professional athlete a few months to start exploring adaptive sports. Not knowing what was next, sports the one thing that really motivated me to look through those difficult times because it really challenges your body and mind to be the best you can be. Schultz showed us how his prosthetic designs progressed over the years, growing into a company, Biodapt, which he runs with his wife. Here we go.

They now supply more than 90% of Schultz's competitors who are lower limb amputees at the games, including from Japan, Germany, Canada, and Team USA. His impact is such a legacy. He has truly created the best sports prosthetic for snowboarding. Everyone on the World Cup circuits using it. And I'm just excited to be a part of that movement. Schultz is eyeing a fourth medal in what he says is his final Paralympics. But his proud biodap will be represented on that podium no matter his time. How does it feel to rep red white and blue?

Even your prosthetic is red for one last time at the Paralympic games. It's the ultimate exclamation point on my, athletic career to be at the games in Italy, wearing that red, white, and blue jersey in a sport that I've, you know, helped elevate in performance with our prosthetic equipment. I mean, it's pretty freaking and cool. Yeah, I'd say so. Team USA already seeing success in Italy. Oksana Masters won gold in para biathlon, marking her 20th Paralympic medal. Mike Schultz will have a shot at the podium tomorrow.

Jose? Emily Keta and Cortina, thank you. When we come back, there's good news tonight about the act of kindness that put a smile in this little girl's face when she needed it most. 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.

Talk about a surprise. That's former show. Chicago Bulls legend Derek Rose meeting 16-year-old Delvin McGee after he finished chemotherapy for lymphoma. But that wasn't the only surprise. Delvin's friends and his basketball teammates showing up for a huge show of support. For his mom, Timon, it meant the world. And you see now his teammates, his classmates, and his coach and his doctor. It was amazing. That surprise arranged by Advocate Children's hospital along with this one. We are also going to fly you and your family on the bulls plane.

Delvin went to New York City with the bulls, practiced with them, and cheered them on against the Brooklyn Nets. One, two, three, bulls. This is the sound of victory. That's Corporal Jesse Simdor at Sanford Roger Amaris Cancer Center, officially cancer-free. Are you going to have a t-shirt that says hope? But she didn't do it alone.

Her colleagues at the Cass County Sheriff's Office went above and beyond, raising thousands of dollars to help out. I have all coworkers, my colleagues, reaching out, texting, emailing, and with those, I'm thinking I can give this cancer. So here I am. Now, Jessie's embracing her work family with love and hug after hug. And for four-year-old Brindley, here they are.

Friendship built on a sturdy foundation. But let me ask you about these construction workers. Your buddies? Yeah. These workers clocking in for a window visit every day while Brinley has been waiting for a heart transplant. That sunshine, flashlights the workers used to get her attention. her attention and make her day. Those workers also communicating with Brindley and her parents with

homemade signs, even sending gifts and donations. Those acts of kindness always returned with a smile. He's giving you a heart. Show him the symbol you give them. What do we give them in the window? Yep, you give them a heart. What started as a small gesture, now a beacon of hope for little Brindley and her family. They were strangers, but now their family. She's captured their hearts and they've captured her. It's just very special, a special bond that will last a long time. What a special little girl, Brunley. That's NBC Nightly News for this Saturday. Holly Jackson will be here tomorrow night. I'm Jose Diaz-Balart. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Good night.

They're both giving your hearts. Theirs are bare. Oh, yeah.