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Trump Reviewing Iran Peace Proposal; Tide Turns for Stranded Humpback Whale; History-Making Run. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired May 03, 2026 - 03:00   ET

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

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BEN HUNTE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello everyone 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 you.

Coming up on the show, U.S. President Donald Trump says he is reviewing a new peace proposal from Iran, but he says he's not optimistic about that plan.

Timmy, the humpback whale that caught the attention of people all around the world is now free. And now scientists look to see if the animal can survive in the open sea.

And history is made at the Kentucky Derby. Golden Tempo comes out on top in the Run for the Roses,

Welcome. The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran remains in effect as President Donald Trump says he's reviewing a new proposal from Iran to end the war, but he appeared unimpressed, saying, quote, I can't imagine that it would be acceptable.

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DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: We're doing very well with regard to Iran. Again, they want to make a deal. They're decimated. They're having a hard time figuring out who their leader is. They don't know who their leader is because their leader is gone, their leader that -- their former leader, Khamenei, but we'll see.

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HUNTE: Iran state affiliated news agency reports the 14-point proposal was sent through a Pakistani intermediary. While details are scant, the plan calls for permanently ending the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon. It also includes withdrawal of U.S. military forces from the region.

On Iranian state T.V., the country's deputy foreign minister said, quote, now the ball is in the United States Court to choose either the path of diplomacy or continuation of a confrontational approach.

Meanwhile, President Trump says, the U.S. plans to cut more than the initial 5,000 troops the Pentagon said it would withdraw from Germany over the next year. Trump's announcement comes just days after the German chancellor said the U.S. was being humiliated by Iran.

CNN's Paula Hancocks joins us live from Abu Dhabi with the latest. Paula, thanks for seeing me again. I appreciate it. What do we know about what's in this latest proposal and what are the chances potentially that President Donald Trump says yes or no to this?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Ben, the information we have is largely from Tasnim State Media, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard in Iran. They have said it's a 14-point proposal. Within this proposal, they want to see the end of the war rather than extending the ceasefire that they have suggested that the U.S. was looking for two months for this to be completed. They want it to be 30 days, according, again, to state media, also pointing out that they want to see U.S. troops being pulled out from the region, something which the U.S. is highly unlikely to agree to given its presence in many Gulf nations and many Gulf allies.

So, at this point, we have heard from the U.S. president that he is considering, or at least is going to review this offer or read you part of a social media post from Saturday night where he said he would review the plan, saying, quote, I can't imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to humanity and the world over the last 47 years.

So, clearly not a lot of optimism, at least publicly from the U.S. president, we do know though from sources close to the mediation that there is intense diplomacy behind the scenes, certainly Pakistan playing a key role at this point.

We also know that there are still plans to return to military action, should that be necessary. We heard last week that the Pentagon had briefed the U.S. president of updated plans for what any kind of military action may look like if the deal was not successful. And the U.S. president was asked about this over the weekend as well. Let's listen to his response.

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TRUMP: If they misbehave, if they do something bad. But right now, we'll see.

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But, you know, it's a possibility that could happen, certainly.

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HANCOCKS: And to that point, we've also seen the U.S. State Department fast tracking some $8 billion of arm sales to allies in the region, to Gulf nations, also to Israel, trying to replenish what was used during that war.

Now, we've heard that there are air defense systems for Kuwait and Qatar, including Patriot missiles for Qatar. There have been reports that that their stockpile has been severely depleted during the war, trying to defend from Iranian missiles and drones, and also laser- guided rockets for Qatar, the UAE and Israel.

Now, we have heard from Iran as well trying to change what is happening on the ground when it comes to the Strait of Hormuz, that key waterway that is so much in focus when it comes to any potential deal. We've heard from PressTV state media that Iran's parliament is poised to approve a law that would decide who is allowed through the Strait of Hormuz, which vessels, and specifically from which country.

Now, according to PressTV, Israeli vessels would not be allowed. There would be a blanket ban on Israeli vessels. When it comes to hostile countries, potentially meaning the U.S., they would expect war reparations which would then give them a permit to travel through, again, something that is not going to be accepted by either the U.S., Israel, or in fact many other countries around the world. Ben?

HUNTE: Okay. Paula, thank you so much for that update. We appreciate it.

The Israeli military and Hezbollah are continuing to trade fire. That's despite the declared ceasefire in Lebanon. On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces said it struck some 70 military structures and 50 infrastructure sites belonging to Hezbollah. That is the pro- Iranian militant group. The IDF has warned residents in nine towns and villages in Southern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of new strikes.

Lebanese state media reported that Israeli strike on a mosque killed at least three people. Meanwhile, Hezbollah says it attacked Israeli troops and vehicles in one Southern Lebanese town.

Russia is threatening to open a crack in Ukraine's key defense line in the east. Reuters reports that Ukraine's Army chief says, Russian troops are trying to gain a foothold in the outskirts of Kostyantynivka. The city is part of Ukraine's so-called fortress belt, whose loss would leave the rest of Eastern Ukraine wide open. Ukrainian open source maps show Russian troops about one kilometer from the city's southern outskirts, while small chunks of the city are marked as gray zones, meaning that neither side fully controls them.

As Russian drones pose a daily threat from the skies, a hidden danger lurks underground in large parts of Ukraine. As Isabel Rosales reports, clearing them is not easy or safe.

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ISABEL ROSALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Step by step what, sweep by sweep, the slow and painstaking rhythm of mine clearance in Ukraine. Some 25 miles or 40 kilometers outside Kyiv, this team is working to make sure the fields and forests are safe from mines and other potential dangers. It's slow but critical work.

Since the start of Russia's full scale invasion in 2022, the United Nations says Ukraine has become the most heavily mined country in the world. DMYTRO RAGULIA, HEAD OF OPERATIONS, THE HALO TRUST: Shotgun ammunition, various types of hand grenades, artillery shells, ranging in caliber from 30 to 120 millimeters. The level of contamination is extremely high. Honestly, I have not seen such a large concentration of explosive items in one place for a very long time.

ROSALES: According to the U.N., an estimated 20 percent of Ukraine's territory, an area larger than England and Wales combined, is now contaminated with mines and other unexploded ordinance. And experts with the Halo Trust, the world's largest humanitarian demining organization, say the process in Ukraine will take at least ten years. That's time when fields will go unplanted, homes and businesses will remain in ruins and people's livelihoods will continue to suffer.

Already, Ukraine is feeling the impacts, from human casualties, the U.N. says hundreds of civilians have been killed or wounded by landmines and other explosive material, to the rising economic toll. The U.N. estimates that the presence of landmines and other munitions is costing the country $11 billion a year.

While the scale of the demining project is vast, the Halo Trust says the same advances in technology that have transformed the battlefield are already helping to speed up their own process.

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The group has started using drones and A.I. to survey contaminated land and identify potential threats, technology Prince Harry was able to test out during recent visit to Ukraine.

Elsewhere, the Halo Trusts has turned to unmanned systems, like this remote controlled digger, which excavates soil littered with mine, then choose it up in a specialized grinder.

OLEKSANDR LIATSEVYCH, MECHNICAL DEMINING OPERATOR: With every explosive object found and with every detonation that takes place in the pit, it inspires and adds confidence that you are not in vain here, that you are helping the country, that you are cleaning the land and saving someone's life.

ROSALES: Despite the advances in technology, it's not suited to every task. That's when deminers rely on a more old fashioned and more dangerous approach, removing the mines by hand.

OLHA KAVA, HALO TRUST DEMINER: Of course there is fear, but it does not hinder. But on the contrary, motivates you to do your job correctly and responsibly.

ROSALES: Isabel Rosales, CNN, Atlanta.

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HUNTE: A day of disruption for thousands of. Spirit Airlines, passengers, and employees too. That's after the discount carrier announced it was shutting down just over 24 hours ago. CNN spoke earlier with Spirit Pilot Brandon Keene. Even though he is now unemployed himself, Keane expressed special sympathy for older pilots who worked for the company for many years.

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BRANDON KEENE, SPIRIT AIRLINES PILOT: The ones I really feel for though, Ben, are the ones or the captains, the 15, 16, 17-year captains, you know, in their mid to late 50s. They've got, you know, less than ten years left of their career. And they held seniority. They had a great lifestyle and great pay, and they can't necessarily bring that over to one of the legacy carriers, like United or American. They start at the bottom, like everybody else does. So, that seniority starts over.

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HUNTE: Spirit ticket holders are being issued refunds and other airlines are offering so-called rescue fares. But the sudden cancelations and lack of customer service stranded thousands of passengers nationwide.

CNN's Rafael Romo has more.

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Passengers attitudes about what's happening with the shuttering of Spirit Airlines can be described with one word, confusion. When we got to the Spirit Airlines ticket counter earlier, the area was cordoned off, signs that normally direct passenger traffic were set up as barriers and screens had a message for passengers saying the following, and here I quote, we regret to inform you that Spirit Airlines has ceased global operations. All Spirit flights have been canceled and customer service is no longer available. It has been our honor to bring friends and families closer together for 34 years.

This decision will put 17,000 workers out of a job, including 14,000 Spirit employees and thousands of contractors and other people whose jobs depend on Spirit and its operations at multiple airports around the country. Spirit Airlines' demise has stranded thousands of passengers who have to adjust plans and perhaps millions who have tickets for future dates. Customers have been instructed not to come to the airport.

Also those who booked directly through the airline with a credit or debit card will be issued refunds and have been instructed to rebook travel on other carriers, including JetBlue, Southwest, Delta, and United Airlines, all of which have announced they are offering lower cost rescue fares so that Spirit customers can rebook flights.

On Saturday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said some last- minute efforts intended to save the airline were ultimately unsuccessful.

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SEAN DUFFY, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: The president was like a dog on a bone trying to figure out a way to keep Spirit afloat. He was concerned about the employees of Spirit. I was in the oval many times hearing him talk about the employees and the customers. In the end, this was a creditor issue. Again, they have the final say of whether they want to do a deal with the government. But also from the government's perspective, we oftentimes don't have a half a billion dollars laying around in a spare account that we can put into a bailout of an airline.

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ROMO: And let's remember that spirit filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2024, but then emerged from it in March of the following year, 2025, only to file again five months later in February. The airline was able to reach a deal with its creditors to move forward, but then fuel prices surged and ultimately contributed to its demise.

Spirit is the first significant U.S. airline in nearly 25 years to go out of business because of financial problems.

Rafael Romo, CNN, Atlanta.

HUNTE: All right. After the break, we'll bring you the latest on the saga of Timmy, the stranded whale, his story of survival and the complex rescue effort to save him that have been viral for weeks.

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And Golden Tempo's remarkable finish at the 152nd Kentucky Derby, why his against the odds win made Derby history still ahead.

See you in a moment.

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HUNTE: Welcome back. Timmy the Whale is free at last. He is finally back in open waters after a weeks-long saga that stole the hearts of millions all around the world. The humpback whale dubbed Timmy by fans was first spotted in early March off of Germany's Baltic coast, far from his natural Atlantic habitat.

Timmy's health actually deteriorated as he repeatedly got stuck on shallow sandbanks in the following weeks. Several rescue attempts did fail.

In the final try, Timmy was towed in a water bearing barge around Denmark and then released into the North Sea.

Well, you know we want to talk about this anymore, so let's bring in Karen Stockin, professor of marine biology at Massey University. Thank you so much for being with me.

Timmy is finally free. Talk to me, how significant is this moment? How surprised are you that we got to this point?

KAREN STOCKIN, PROFESSOR OF MARINE BIOLOGY, MASSEY UNIVERSITY: Good morning. Thanks for having me. Well, incredibly to me has actually survived the so far, which is quite phenomenal. [03:20:03]

I think the really important factor for us to consider at this point in time, though, of course, is what we have here is so far a successful translocation, so a movement of the whale from the shallow waters out to deep waters, still maybe not as deep as we need them, to be fair, and especially in such a busy shipping area. But at this point in time, yes, he's done incredibly well to have survived this far.

HUNTE: I like this because I opened this really happily and cheerfully, like Timmy's free, yay, but what you're saying is actually, there's still danger ahead for Timmy, right?

STOCKIN: Unfortunately, yes. This whale is far from home and clear. We do have a whale at the end of the day, as we know, who has been stranded and without food, and therefore hydration for over a month, which if you think about that alone is quite substantive. Added to that, it was in the shallower waters in that local region for a prior -- almost 30 days prior. So, it's been out of habitat environment for nearly two months now. And added to that, of course, is the stress and the physiological strains of the animal being stranded. So, yes, we are far from out of the woods, unfortunately.

HUNTE: Got it. We understand that rescuers have fitted Timmy with a GPS tracker before release. What is that going to tell scientists and why is that so important?

STOCKIN: Well, look, it's critically important to evaluating whether or not this intervention has been successful. I understand at this present time it's a little bit hit and miss of whether we're actually getting data back from this tracker. So, that's the first thing. It's really important to have clarity of what tracker has been fitted, how it's been fitted and what the data looks like coming back.

And I understand at the moment the authorities in Germany don't quite have that very critical data that they need to be able to get a better insight to the situation that Timmy is currently in.

HUNTE: As you said earlier, Timmy did spend weeks in what experts say was a difficult environment for humpbacks, but what made that so difficult?

STOCKIN: There're so many things. I mean, these outer habitat situations are where -- I mean, humpback whales generally are obviously outer in the more broader oceanic conditions. They are filter feeders, so they are obviously taking prey in deeper waters. And, generally speaking, when you see these large baleen whales, such as the likes of Timmy, it's usually because there's some underlying kind of issue.

Now, sometimes that can be human-induced. In this case, we know that was the case. We know that Timmy had entanglement with fishing gear and some potential ingested material, which obviously was of critical concern to his health in the first instance. And so as you can understand, he's out of habitat. He hasn't been eating. He's had a lot of trauma and physiological stress alone of just the stranding event outside of everything else. We know, of course from our research in New Zealand that when a whale stranded, you are often sometimes in situations of maybe 30, 40, 50 days post- release before you are absolutely sure that they've been able to survive beyond the stress, myopathy, basically, the muscle myopathy that can be caused by these events.

So, it's critically important and the only way going forward is for us to understand whether or not this has been successful, is if indeed the tag was attached in a way that the data is able to be validated and independently reviewed definitely.

HUNTE: Okay. So, this story is actually far from over yet. Wow. Well, we'll see what happens next. For now, Professor Karen Stockin, thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate it.

STOCKIN: No problem.

HUNTE: Onwards, Golden Tempo has won the 152nd Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs, the colt surge from behind to take the first leg of the Triple Crown by a nose at 23-1 odds. Golden Tempo's stunning victory was history-making. Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to saddle a Kentucky Derby winner.

CNN's Andy Scholes has more for us from Churchill Downs.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: What a finish, what a race. And we got to see some history here at the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby as Cherie DeVaux became the first ever female trainer to win the Derby as Golden Tempo went from last place all the way to the front to win the race by a nose, an incredible comeback.

And Golden Tempo made its move on the outside after the final turn, it was in a dead heat with one of the favorites, Renegade, but was able to edge him out. And Renegade was nearly the first horse to win from post one since 1986.

But a historic upset win for Devaux in her first ever Derby start, Golden Tempo had 23-1 odds to win the race, but it's proven he is a comeback horse, starts slow but closes with a fury.

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And what a weekend for Jockey Jose Ortiz, he also won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday night on always a runner and everyone from Devaux to Ortiz, just super emotional after this incredible win.

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CHERIE DEVAUX, GOLDEN TEMPO TRAINER: I honestly don't know. I'm just -- I'm glad that I could be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds.

JOSE ORTIZ, GOLDEN TEMPOR'S JOCKEY: To have my mom and my dad here today, it's very special. And I just wish my grandpa was here, but I know looking for heaven, he's very happy that I get my goal, my life dream goal achieve and is just amazing.

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SCHOLES: And Ortiz extra emotional because this was his first Derby win and his brother was the jockey for Renegade, who he barely beat out. So, I'm sure a little bit inside he felt bad for him.

But just what a win and comeback for the entire Golden Tempo team. And I'll tell you what, I was watching on the first turn in the stands, everyone when Golden Tempo won was rather stunned because I think a lot of people had money on the other favorites in the race, like myself I did not do well picking the horses, but, luckily, for my family, my son, picked Golden Tempo because our dog's name is Goldie. So, at least someone in my family's going home with a winning ticket.

HUNTE: The Sakura cherry blossoms in Toronto's High Park are now in peak bloom, meaning at least 90 percent or more of the blossoms are now open. Thousands of visitors headed to see them on Saturday. The flowers only last about four to ten days once opened.

The trees were a gift from Japan nearly 70 years ago to show support of Japanese Canadian refugees following World War II.

One man that has lived in Toronto for 40 years said it was his first time seeing the blossoms. He said, quote, I think I'll come back next year and we might join him there. Team trip to Toronto, let's go.

Okay, thanks for joining me in the team. That's all I've got for you. I'm Ben Hunte in Atlanta. Inside Africa is next. I will see you next week.

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