Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Search Underway for Missing Crew Member of U.S. Jet Downed in Iran; Gulf States Report Fresh Attacks by Iran; NASA Releases First Photos from Artemis II Mission; Traditional Good Friday Procession Held in Czech Republic. Aired 3-3:30a ET

Aired April 04, 2026 - 03:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[03:00:00]

(MUSIC PLAYING)

BEN HUNTE, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Hello. Wherever you are in the world, you are now in the CNN NEWSROOM with me, Ben Hunte in Atlanta. And it is so good to have you with me.

Coming up on the show, a frantic search for a missing U.S. service member after Iran claims it shot down an American fighter jet.

More than halfway to the moon, the Artemis II mission is headed where no humans have gone in decades.

And Pope Leo commemorates Good Friday by leading the Way of the Cross at Rome's ancient Colosseum.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Live from Atlanta, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Ben Hunte.

HUNTE: Welcome.

A huge search and rescue operation is underway at this hour after a U.S. fighter jet was shot down over Iran. One of its two crew members was rescued and is alive and receiving medical attention. The status of the second crew member is unknown right now.

It's the first time a U.S. aircraft has been shot down over Iran during this conflict. The downed fighter jet was an F-15E Strike Eagle. Typically, its pilot sits in the front seat with a weapons system officer in the back seat.

This video you're seeing there now, shared on Friday, appears to show Iranian police officers shooting at a pair of helicopters flying at low altitude in southwestern Iran. It isn't clear who those aircraft do belong to, though, or if they were involved in search efforts or some other operation.

Multiple videos show military aircraft operating over Iran on Friday, apparently searching for the U.S. service member. Israel postponed some of its planned strikes on Iran so as not to interfere with search efforts.

Iran also struck a second U.S. military plane on Friday, an A-10 Warthog, which is like this one you're seeing there. U.S. officials say the pilot navigated away from Iranian territory before ejecting and has actually been rescued. So that's some good news. Let's go live now to Abu Dhabi and CNN's Paula Hancocks.

Paula, good to see you. Thanks for being with me.

How is Iran responding at the moment?

So much going on here.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So Ben, it was about 24 hours ago that the IRGC, the Revolutionary Guard in Iran, claimed that they had shot down this fighter jet and issued some footage -- excuse me; some photos of part of the wreckage.

So we have heard from Iranian state media that they are also looking for this missing crew member.

In fact, we heard a news anchor saying that, "if you capture and hand over a pilot or pilots of the enemy alive ... you will receive a valuable reward and prize."

So there is a race on at this point between the U.S. and Iran to try and find that missing individual, to the U.S. trying to continue with the search and rescue efforts.

As you say, we did see a number of aircraft in the air, which would be consistent with that kind of operation.

Now we've also seen some mocking by Iranian officials when it comes to this incident. We heard from Ghalibaf, who is the parliament speaker. He's really emerging as quite a powerful voice in the Iranian regime at this point.

And he said on social media, quote, "After defeating Iran 37 times in a row, this brilliant no-strategy war they started has now been downgraded from 'regime change' to 'Hey! Can anyone find our pilots? Please?'"

Now we know also that there was a second plane that was downed. We understand that that with this A-10 Thunderbolt, the pilot did manage to navigate his way out of Iranian territory before ejecting and he was rescued.

So as far as we know at this point, this brings the number of U.S. fighter jets and aircraft lost during this war to seven at this point, Ben.

HUNTE: And what can you tell us about other strikes or activity that we're seeing across the region?

HANCOCKS: Well, we have been seeing some strikes here in the UAE. We heard from the ministry of defense on Friday. They had a tally of what had been fired at the UAE from Iran over the previous 24 hours.

[03:05:06]

Some 22 missiles -- that's cruise and ballistic -- and 47 drones, that's a lot higher than we had been seeing for a couple of weeks. So certainly the ability to be able to fight back has not appeared to have been damaged as much as the Trump administration might claim.

We know also that debris from one of the intercepted projectiles hit the facade of a building in Dubai. This was the office of the tech giant Oracle. We had heard that Iran had threatened about 17 U.S. tech companies, saying that they would be targeted if more of the Iranian leadership was killed.

Now we also know that the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, is in the region. She has been in Saudi Arabia. She's been trying to secure energy supplies for Italy. She is always seen as one of the key allies, really, of the U.S. president here or in Europe.

But on this particular occasion, she has made very clear that she disagrees with what the Trump administration is doing. She has refused Italian military bases to be used by the U.S. military in any way.

She says, we -- our job is, above all, to defend our national interests. And when we disagree, we must say so. And this time we disagree -- Ben.

HUNTE: OK, we'll leave it there for now. Thank you so much for the update. Paula Hancocks, appreciate it.

Well, as the search continues for the missing fighter jet crew member, a retired lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Marines says finding them will be hard in enemy territory. But U.S. air crews are trained for this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LIEUTENANT COLONEL AMY MCGRATH (RET.), U.S. MARINE CORPS: Well, we found the first one pretty quick, so that's good. We have the best combat search and rescue capability on the planet and that's amazing for our country and for our military.

But, it's not perfect. And obviously we're deep in enemy territory here and it's hard to do, you know and clearly the Iranian air defenses are not decimated, we have, as we've seen today.

So I do think it's difficult. So we're going to do everything we can. We have the best forces out there to do that. And you should know in the American public should know that our air crews are trained for this very scenario.

We go through a lot of training. We know how to communicate. And I have great hope that we can get the second air crew here.

When you eject from a high-performance aircraft, the first thing is just getting through the ejection. It's also a very violent thing to undergo. And once you get to the ground, the first thing that you do is try to communicate.

You want to evade, you don't want to be picked up, obviously. We don't know if the people on the ground or for you or against you. And so, you're trying to get, communicate to the combat search and rescue folks who will come, you know, as Heather said, you will know that they will come and try to find you.

So we go through a school survival, evasion, escape, resistance school for this very scenario. And we trained for it and we have the best aircrew out there to do it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: CNN's Kristen Holmes has more for us now on what the White House is saying about the fighter jet getting shot down.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Now mid-afternoon on Friday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said president Trump had been briefed on this downed plane but did not elaborate, did not give any details. And we almost didn't hear from the president at all publicly.

We saw a couple of Truth Social posts that were unrelated to these downed planes, one of them talking about taking the oil, another one about Good Friday and the economy. And I was told that some of this was by design.

They wanted -- they being the administration -- the White House wanted all of the comms to come out of the U.S. Central Command. They didn't want to be putting out mixed messages, mixed narratives, although we haven't actually heard anything from the U.S. Central Command, even though we were told we would.

We do know president Trump spent much of the day in and around the Oval Office. We saw the Marine standing outside of the West Wing, an indicator that he is just behind those doors holding meetings.

We know his national security team was here. We saw vice president Vance arriving at the White House. And it was certainly an all-hands- on-deck situation, as they were kind of scrambling, scrambling to figure out what they were going to do, how they were going to respond and what exactly was happening on the ground.

They were talking about a search and rescue. I heard from one U.S. official saying they didn't want to give too many details because the position of not just the crew that had been ejected and the not rescued yet but also the search and rescue crew itself was put in danger. So they didn't want to get out there with any of these details.

[03:10:00]

But it is jarring to not really hear from president Trump when all of this is unfolding. Now he did do a couple of brief phone interviews at one point, saying that this downed fighter plane would not impact negotiations with Iran.

But from our understanding, those negotiations at least have now seem to be stalled. Remember, it was just 1.5 weeks ago we were talking about them gearing up for a sitdown meeting between Iranian officials and U.S. officials that weekend.

Well, that was last weekend. Then it was Monday, then it was Tuesday. Now we're not talking about it at all. So where those negotiations stand is still a big question mark.

But, of course, the other big question here is how what we saw today with those planes being shot down squares with what president Trump has been saying, really, for the last over a week, where he has said that the U.S. maintains air superiority over Iran, saying that the war is essentially over and the U.S. is winning.

That does not line up with what we saw in terms of those planes being shot down today -- Kristen Holmes, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HUNTE: President Trump suggested the U.S. could easily open the Strait of Hormuz with a little more time. This is a shift from earlier when he said countries that rely on oil passing through the strait should patrol it. Meanwhile, we're seeing a trickle of movement in the channel. CNN's Anna Cooban has more for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNA COOBAN, CNN BUSINESS & ECONOMICS REPORTER: Yes. The Strait of Hormuz is what we've all been talking about over the past month. And as you can

see here, Oman and Iran are highlighted. They jointly control this waterway. And we had reporting yesterday that Iran is in discussions with

Oman about setting up a monitoring system for vessels even after the war is to end, which many countries around the world have really balked

at.

Now what Iran has said is that it's going to allow and already has allowed vessels of non-hostile countries to go through, like Pakistan, India and

China. But what we've seen over the past 24 hours is a little bit of movement on that issue. This French vessel container ship owned by CMA CGM,

managed to pass through the strait.

Now interestingly, if you look at the path that it took, it went very northerly up toward the coast of Iran, looping around Iranian islands and back down. Now this suggests we don't know for sure but that Iran was aware of the passage of this ship. And we know that Iran has been allowing

some vessels to pass through and we have lots of reporting out there about Iran imposing a certain toll system, so actually making vessels pay to go

through.

We don't know if that's what's happened here. But again, this is the first known instance of a western vessel moving through the strait. And

interestingly, to add to that, we know that three tankers, two oil tankers and an LNG tanker have also managed to go through the strait in the past

few hours.

Now one of these tankers, the LNG, is owned by a Japanese company and all three of them took an interesting route. So the normal route that's taken

is kind of slap bang in the middle of the street. This is pre-war. And then, of course, we know that that French ship took this very -- this

route close to the Iranian coast. But what these three tankers did that sailed toward Oman, they took this route that really hugged the Omani

coast.

So again, it's uncertain as to whether Iran was aware that these went through. But we're seeing a little bit more movement. But really, we have

to put this in context. It's still a trickle going through. Kapler said that in the month of March, 53 million barrels of crude managed to pass

through the strait. Sounds like a lot but when you zoom out, 440 million barrels of crude managed to get through in February.

Now lastly, I just think it's interesting to pause on the politics of this. Trump has really oscillated, gone back and forth about the responsibility

of the United States in reopening the strait. A few days ago, he was saying that countries that rely more heavily on the oil that comes out of the

strait go in and get the oil yourselves. But today, he's saying that the U.S. could easily open the strait.

So fundamentally, we're still in the same position, just a trickle of ships going through. But with this friendship and these three other tankers,

there seems to be a little bit more movement on this issue.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HUNTE: Ukraine's president is denouncing what he calls an Easter escalation of Russia's strikes on his country. Officials say Moscow fired close to 600 drones and missiles across Ukraine on Thursday and Friday, killing at least two people. The strikes damaged up to 200 homes in the country's north.

But further east, a Russian drone plowed into an apartment building just outside the capital, Kyiv, on Friday. Officials say there were no casualties there. But more than two dozen people were injured in separate strikes in northeastern Ukraine.

Russia is increasingly switching from nighttime to daytime attacks to evade Ukraine's air defenses.

OK, Artemis II is making progress on its long journey to the moon. When we return, we'll have the latest on that mission as the crew travels where no human has gone before.

[03:15:00]

And Pope Leo continues Holy Week ceremonies with Good Friday's Way of the Cross procession in Rome's Colosseum. We'll hear his message to the leaders of the world after this break. See you in a moment.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(MUSIC PLAYING)

HUNTE: NASA says Artemis II is now more than halfway to the moon. On Friday, we got the first glimpse of our home planet as viewed from the Orion spacecraft as NASA released these beautiful images.

The photos were taken by the mission commander on Thursday. Earlier, the crew got a much needed private time with their families, who spoke to them for the first time since the launch.

Looking ahead, they are expected to fly by the moon on Monday. CNN's Ed Lavandera is in Houston with the latest on Artemis II's historic journey.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REID WISEMAN, ARTEMIS II COMMANDER: You could see the entire globe from pole to pole. You could see Africa, Europe and as if you looked really close, you could see the northern lights. It was the most spectacular moment and it paused all four of us in our tracks.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: These are the first breathtaking images shared by the Artemis II crew as they officially set course for the moon.

[03:20:04]

CHRISTINA KOCH, ARTEMIS II MISSION SPECIALIST: There's nothing that prepares you for the breathtaking aspect of seeing your home planet both lit up bright as day and also the moon glow on it at night with a beautiful beam of the sunset.

LAVANDERA: The four astronauts have traveled at speeds of up to 3,400 miles per hour.

KOCH: You're getting a live look outside the windows of the Orion spacecraft.

LAVANDERA: That's nearly 5,000 feet per second as they head into the most crucial part of their mission.

R. WISEMAN: I got to tell you, there is nothing normal about this. Sending four humans 250,000 miles away is a Herculean effort and we are now just realizing the gravity of that.

LAVANDERA: We got the clearest view yet of the astronauts onboard the Orion spaceship as they answered questions about their journey so far and revealed they've been glued to the views of Earth from the four main windows in their cabin and also finding the best ways to sleep.

R. WISEMAN: Christina has been sleeping heads down in the middle of the vehicle, kind of like a bat suspended from our docking tunnel. Victor's been up where Jeremy is right now. It's more comfortable than you would think and it's nice to get sleep and weightlessness again.

Every time I was dozing off last night, I had that image and I was tripping off a curb and I was waking myself up. So my body's getting reacclimated.

LAVANDERA: Friday's wake up song in a daydream by the Freddie Jones band.

R. WISEMAN: It was really great to wake up this morning and look out the window and see the full moon of the front of the vehicle. There's no doubt where we are heading right now.

LAVANDERA: Their planned course adjustment was canceled. It wasn't needed.

R. WISEMAN: Copy that.

LAVANDERA: They are transitioning their seats positioned for the launch to set up for their lunar flyby when they make history.

VICTOR GLOVER, ARTEMIS II PILOT: This brought us together and showed us what we can do when we put -- not just putting our differences aside, when we bring our differences together and use all the strengths to accomplish something great.

LAVANDERA: By Saturday morning, the Artemis II crew will be about halfway to the moon. And until then, they will continue doing systems checks and preparing the Orion capsule for that historic moment.

And in the meantime, they do have some time to have private conversations with their families here on Earth and updating them on how their missions are going -- Ed Lavandera, CNN, Houston, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HUNTE: The brother of Commander Reid Wiseman spoke to CNN earlier. He talked about how Reid is a single parent and what it's like to be away from his daughters while he's in space. Have a listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL WISEMAN, BROTHER OF ARTEMIS II COMMANDER REID WISEMAN: I would say that Reid is doing what he thinks is best, both for -- both for them, for himself and for, frankly, for humanity.

And he and I had long discussions about this back when he was discussing going from being the chief astronaut to doing this mission and whether or not that was the right thing for him and the right thing for his family. And I think he did some serious soul searching on that and concluded that this was what he wanted to do.

I don't think it made the girls happy three years ago or even four years ago. But I think if you asked them today, they would say, our dad's doing exactly what he needs to be doing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Pope Leo marked Good Friday by leading the Way of the Cross procession at Rome's Colosseum.

The first American pontiff took part in the annual ceremony during his first Holy Week as leader of the Catholic Church. The events culminate tomorrow, Easter Sunday, when Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead. CNN's Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb reports for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it was a remarkable service that took place at the Colosseum on Good Friday, Pope Leo leading a Way of the Cross service that takes place each year on Good Friday.

Leo, though, becoming the first pope in decades to carry the cross for the entirety of the service, which recalls Christ's suffering and death.

Now during the service, there were prayers that were said throughout and a couple of points, some very poignant reflections, one on immigrants and children who have been deported.

Also a warning to leaders and the powerful that they will be judged for their decisions, including whether to start or end wars.

Leo's first Holy Week and Easter has seen him step up his criticisms of the war in Iran. He's become more vocal. On Good Friday, he spoke to president Herzog of Israel, urging him to find an end to that conflict.

But Leo tonight showing that he wants to carry and pray for the sufferings that are taking place in humanity and across the world, putting his mark down on his first Holy Week and Easter as pope -- Christopher Lamb, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[03:25:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE (voice-over): Christians commemorated Good Friday in the Czech Republic with a very traditional event. A group wearing black clothes and white masks that you're seeing there marched through one small --

(LAUGHTER)

HUNTE: -- one small town. They shook wooden rattles on the town's cobbled streets. This is a tradition that's aimed at warding off Judas, the apostle accused of betraying Jesus.

For Christians, Good Friday marks the day that Jesus died on the cross. It is observed the day before Easter Sunday.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: World number five tennis star Jessica Pegula has moved closer in her bid to win the Charleston Open twice in a row. The 34-year-old American came from behind to defeat Diana Schneider of Russia in three sets in yesterday's quarterfinal.

She plays American teenager Iva Jovic, who is 16 years younger, in today's semifinal for a shot at the final. Pegula has now reached four semis in the six tournaments where she's competed this season.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) gets denied. Lauren Brent.

HUNTE (voice-over): All right. It is no longer March but, of course, the madness continues, March Madness. The NCAA women's basketball championship game is now set. UCLA secured its spot after beating the University of Texas in a very defensive battle.

They will take on the University of South Carolina. That's going to be in Sunday's final. The Gamecocks snapped defending champion UConn's 54-game winning streak in the final seconds of that game. We're going to see that now.

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina's head coach Dawn Staley got into a very heated exchange. The two did not appear to shake hands after the final buzzer.

Oh, drama there. OK. Thanks for joining me and the team. I am Ben Hunte in Atlanta and

I will see you tomorrow. "CONNECTING AFRICA" is coming up for you next. See you (INAUDIBLE).