War With Iran: Day 26

America leads the world in medicine development. It matters. We get new medicines first, nearly

three years faster. Five million Americans go to work because we make medicines here at home,

and not relying on other countries keeps us safe. But China is racing to overtake us.

Will we let them? Or will we choose to stay ahead? When America leads,

America cures. Let's tell Washington to keep us in the lead.

Learn how at americacures.com. Pay for it by Farma.

Welcome to Nightline. This is a special edition war with Iran. I'm Teppir Roberts.

On this episode, at odds, Iran rejects President Trump's 15-point plan to end the war,

and issues a list of its own stipulations, including control of the ever-important waterway

this straight-of-our-mose. The Iranian Foreign Minister, speaking on state TV,

denying that any negotiations have taken place between the U.S. and Iran and non-or-planned.

Plus, parts of Asia sounding the alarm. In the Philippines, their president saying the war poses

an imminent threat to its energy supply, with other governments in the region warning their people

to conserve energy, to preserve long-term stability. While Asia really imports the majority of its

energy from the Middle East, so the direct impact is really on economies from India to Southeast

Asia, all the way to China, Korea and Japan. The measures some are taking now and the effect in

Asian energy crisis could have on U.S. bottom lines. While the conflict in Iran continues to

rage on, we're going to shift focus every day to this single topic. War with Iran,

nightline special coverage continues. This is day 26. Stay with us after the break.

Chat, I think it's time to book that trip to Walt Disney World Resort. You know, you work so

hard. I think it's time to give yourself a little TLC. Like, when's the last time you had fun?

We could hop in a light cycle, eat food from all over the world at Epcot.

We could even build those lightsabers you always want to.

Like, let's make plans for real this summer. Find your moment at Walt Disney World Resort.

Hey there, it's me John Stamos in partnership with Colleguard,

and a little birdie told me you're over 45. Listen, that's not old, it's really not,

but it's an important age. If you're at average risk, that's when you start screening for

colon cancer. And look, it's okay to be nervous, but it's not okay to ignore your own health.

It's time to see if the Colleguard test can be an option for you to get screened.

All right, I'm glad we had this little chat.

Welcome back. The war with Iran is in its fourth week, with up to 1500 additional US troops

now in route to the Middle East. Iran seeming to contradict President Trump's positive spin

on peace talks, rejecting his 15 point peace plan and issuing its own, which would retain control

of the hotly contested straight up Hormuz. This as the US Army raises the age cap for recruitment.

ABC senior political correspondent Rachel Scott reports from the White House.

Tonight, Iran flatly rejecting President Trump's 15 point plan to end the war,

insisting no negotiations are taking place despite what the president says.

They want to make a deal so badly. But Iran's foreign minister today declaring there are no

negotiations with the enemy. Iran's sarcastically asking if Americans were negotiating with

yourselves. Despite the clashing claims, sources tell us the two sides are trading messages,

using Pakistan as a go between. Iran aware Trump's overtures come as he surges military forces

to the region, up to 1500 American paratroopers from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division now on the

way. The president has not ruled out putting boots on the ground. Tonight, even some top

Republicans sounding concern. My hope is that we do not have boots on the ground.

In a new Quinnipiac poll, just 34% of voters approve of how the president is handling Iran.

59% disapprove. Gas prices up more than a dollar, with the average price of a gallon

soon expected to hit $4. That number even higher in some parts of the country.

The rising cost of fuel now causing airlines to raise ticket prices.

The CEO of United Airlines, telling ABC News, customers should expect an increase of roughly

20%. And tonight, for the first time ever, the U.S. Postal Service is preparing to roll out

a fuel surcharge on package deliveries, probably around 8%. For voters, it's all adding up.

That new poll showing only 38% approve of how the president is handling the economy.

Another reason the president may be looking for an off-ramp, as this war enters its fifth week.

Our thanks to Rachel. As the president hasn't ruled out American boots on the ground,

the army now raising the enlisting age cap from 35 to 42. The first time since 2006,

during the height of the Iraq War. Coming up after the break,

as America grapples with the possibility of rising costs resulting from the war,

we're taking a look at its effects on other nations and the possible ramifications to the

American economy. Not sure how to tackle your taxes?

Are you sweating the small print? You may be experiencing FOMO, the fear of messing up.

The answer? Using turbo-tax on into a credit karma. They help you get your biggest refund,

and then we help you do more with it, with a personalized plan designed to help you hit your

money goals. It's time to take your taxes to the max. Start filing today in the credit karma app.

Going outside is so in during spring-fested lows. For a limited time,

get extra big deals on select Holland Papers, three for one dollar,

plus save $70 in a char broil performance for burner grill. Now $179,

and chef up shareables for your whole crew. Fix your perfect patios and good food.

Yes, please. Our best lineup is here at Loves.

Valet to 330. Wasteplyze last, selection varies by location. Pavor offer excludes Alaska and Hawaii.

Welcome back. We're turning now to the ripple effects of the war with Iran.

Some regions in Asia already in power-saving mode as they grace for the energy crisis to come,

if the war continues. With U.S. consumers, certain to bear the trickle-down economic fallout.

Here's ABC's Brit Clinic.

Southeast Asia is in full energy-saving mode.

In the Philippines today, their president declared a state-of-nation energy emergency,

saying the war in the Middle East posed an imminent threat to the availability and stability

of the country's energy supply. The move will allow the government to control fuel prices

and fast track imports from other sources, including Russia.

Philippines officials also said today they have around 45 days of fuel left based at normal

consumption levels. So across the region, governments are telling people the same thing.

Use less now to avoid a real crisis later, as the war in the Middle East threatens key oil supplies.

With tankers wary of sailing through the strait of hormones and prices jumping around as a result,

officials are trying to get ahead of any shortage before it hits.

In Thailand, you can even see it on morning TV. Here, anchors are taking their jackets off

after the government urged its employees to dress lighter, turn up the aircon and cut back on

power at work. The Prime Minister also telling ministries to slash electricity use

limit overseas trips and expand work from home, all part of an effort to bring demand down

while the fuel is still flowing. In Vietnam, long gas lines amid sharp price hikes,

authorities also encouraging work from home to conserve energy.

And in Myanmar, the new even odd driving rule, license plates, numbers, determining who can

drive and fill up to prevent panic buying. Is it the impact already or is it just kind of the

pre-paying period? So at this point, the actual disruptions are still manageable. The fear of

stat, with every week that the strait of hormones remains close, we're getting closer to a point where

the actual availability is no longer there were actual shortages starting to bite.

Frederick Newman is the chief Asia economist for HSBC, the global banking giant.

And why is Asia particularly vulnerable?

While Asia really imports the majority of its energy from the Middle East, so the direct impact

is really on economies from India to Southeast Asia all the way to China, Korea and Japan.

This region built on energy hungry factories and exports is especially vulnerable when oil

prices jump, which could mean higher inflation and strain supply chains especially in major hubs.

Here at one of Hong Kong's major shipping ports, it's also feeling exposed by the disruption.

It means higher costs for cargo, which could ultimately hit businesses and drive up the price

of goods all over the world. Asia is the world's factory floor. Electronics cars,

clothes, toys, all those exports need cheap steady fuel to keep factories humming and

ship sailing, disrupt the oil and the whole machine slows down.

What's the worst case scenario if this does continue?

When we look at areas like South Asia, Southeast Asia with millions and millions of

poor people that are subsistence farmers, they will immediately be affected in a globalized

economy. These effects will percolate very quickly and be felt in American pocketbooks as well.

In the region, China, it turns out, has a bit more breathing room than its neighbors.

Why is China somewhat insulated from the energy shock or at least in comparison to other

economies in the region?

Even though it's a large import of energy, it has really stockpiled a lot of reserves.

They get energy from a variety of sources from Russia to other economies. Then also,

they use a lot of domestically derived energy. They have a lot of renewable sources,

solar, wind and also cold.

So China's bet on green tech has really paid off?

It has paid off. It gives more energy security. This energy price shot could give the renewable sector

in a bit of a jolt.

If the war in the Middle East drags on and tankers keep their distance from the

state of Hormuz, these early changes could be the difference between a tough squeeze

and a full-blown energy crisis.

Even if the passage were open again, it would still take up to six weeks to normalize

everything.

And until then, the fallout of the war will keep working its way through this region

so dependent on Middle East energy.

Many thanks to Brit. We hope you'll join us tomorrow for another special edition of Nightline,

War with Iran.

This program was born during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. We were there then,

we are still here now. If you like this podcast, let us know with a review on Apple

Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you're listening.

And check out Start Here for more on the day's news.

And of course, stick with us for updates throughout the day on ABC News Live.

We'll be right back here tomorrow. Thanks for listening, America.

You're up already!

All for this. Players walk in, legends walk out.

March Madness on ESPN. Greatness is now playing.

Continues the Rainbow Fit on ABC, ESPN and Streaming on the ESPN app.

Presented by Capital One.