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U.S. and Iran Agree to Two-Week Ceasefire; Interview with Pakistani Ambassador to U.S. on Iran War Ceasefire; Israel Launches Largest Strikes on Lebanon since War Began; Shipping Data Shows Little Movement in Strait of Hormuz; Orion Astronauts Are Homeward Bound. Aired 10-11a ET

Aired April 08, 2026 - 10:00   ET

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

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BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): Right. Welcome to the second hour of this show. This is CONNECT THE WORLD from our Middle East programming

headquarters here in Abu Dhabi, where the time is 7 o'clock -- no, it's not. It's 6 o'clock in the evening. I'm Becky Anderson.

A two-week ceasefire agreed by the U.S. and Iran is now in effect. Both sides say they are ready to resume combat, though, if needed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. DAN CAINE, CHAIRMAN, U.S. JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: We welcome the ongoing ceasefire and, as the secretary said, we hope that Iran chooses a

lasting peace.

But as secretary Hegseth said, let us be clear, a ceasefire is a pause. And the joint force remains ready if ordered or called upon to resume combat

operations with the same speed and precision as we've demonstrated over the last 38 days. And we hope that that is not the case.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: On the Iranian side, the Revolutionary Guard say their, quote, "finger is on the trigger" but they will honor the truce. Critical to this

deal is the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says it will coordinate the passage of ships through the strait.

At least two vessels transited since the ceasefire began. Hundreds remain stationary. The U.S. Defense Secretary says traffic will resume soon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PETE HEGSETH, U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: What we know is that Iran is going to say a lot of things. A lot of people are going to say a lot of

things, claim a lot of things. What has been agreed to, what's been stated is the strait is open. Our military is watching. I'm sure their military is

watching. But commerce will flow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Pakistan has said that it has invited delegations from the U.S. and Iran to the country for further talks on Friday, as Iran considers what

is a 15-point proposal from the United States.

Islamabad says Tehran has confirmed its attendance. Let's speak to Rizwan Saeed Sheikh. He is Pakistan's ambassador to the United States, who we

welcome today from Washington.

And Ambassador, thank you.

Can you just take us inside these talks?

How did we go from Donald Trump's apocalyptic threat to end Iranian civilization to a ceasefire in less than 12 hours on Tuesday?

RIZWAN SAEED SHEIKH, PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S.: Well, thank you, Becky, for having me on your show. But let me remind you and yours that it

was an intense diplomatic effort that was in progress over the past few weeks.

And what happened last night was a culmination point. So it is a triumph of diplomacy and dialogue that Pakistan, in its diplomatic history, has always

accorded primacy to and had has had a preference for.

So there were processes, talks in motion, consultations in motion. And it was well, in terms of the focus, the spotlight on Pakistan, we were trusted

by all sides to conduct this diplomacy. And we have a twin sense of gratitude and humility in that regard.

But there were other consultations going on with multiple partners. So there was, you know, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt, Qatar, China, to name a

few, and other partners who have started now expressing a chorus of commendation for Pakistan in support for Pakistan.

Mainly, we believe it is for the process that is to be conducted in about two days from now in Islamabad. But just to perhaps answer your question

more precisely, it was something already in motion and it yielded success.

ANDERSON: What got this over the line and, very specifically, what role has China played?

SHEIKH: I think all countries that have been supportive of the endeavor have played a role. And, you would recall that, about a week back, the

Pakistani deputy prime minister and foreign minister visited China.

And there was a five-point initiation of a process and a statement of principles that were laid out, general principles. So China, from the very

start, has been also mentioning exercise of restraint and affording space for diplomacy to both sides.

[10:05:00]

(CROSSTALK)

ANDERSON: All right.

SHEIKH: So that is, again, a continuing process.

And all the multiple partners that have been mentioned -- and there are others which have not even been mentioned but we have been consulting --

have contributed to the success of this diplomacy, which has been conducted at the highest levels, at the levels of leadership of the countries being

consulted.

ANDERSON: Can I just ask you, has China provided some guarantees for Iran in all of this?

SHEIKH: I don't think that that kind of process has started as yet, because whatever is the content of the -- substantive content of

discussions, which have high stakes because of the impact of the situation that has been there for almost 38-40 days, has contributed to a lot of

turmoil in the region, political, economic impact.

So the content of the discussions that has to take place will now have its own dynamic and that is where the focus should be in terms of whatever is

to be offered, whatever is to be guaranteed, whatever is to be precisely decided.

ANDERSON: Precisely what are the points, then, of discussion for these Islamabad talks on Friday as you understand them?

SHEIKH: Well, there have been, I mean, too many speculations, too many points mentioned in the media discourse, in the public discourse, in the

social media discourse. But I believe the success of this process would lie in secrecy.

The parties, the conflicting parties, need to be afforded enough space void of any pressures -- outside, exogenous pressures, now that they are sitting

down to discuss all the matters that interest and concern them.

The secrecy of the content would help them reach decisions. It is ultimately for them to reach decisions and strike whatever agreement they

want to strike. Pakistan is just a facilitator and we are trying to do it in all earnest and in all faithfulness.

ANDERSON: I hear what you're saying but president Trump himself has actually been quite open about what he sees as a workable framework. At

least he went from saying he believed that Iran's 10-point proposed plan was, quote, "workable," a workable basis on which to negotiate at least.

A plan, as we understand it, includes a lifting of all sanctions and Iranian rights to the Strait of Hormuz.

He is now saying, quote, "there will be no enrichment of uranium" and that the U.S. will work with Iran to dig up and remove enriched uranium.

How do you square that, sir?

SHEIKH: Well, it is not for us to square as facilitator. It is for the parties, the conflicting parties, to square it during the very process that

is in focus now in Islamabad.

And since all these processes have so far taken place at the highest levels of leadership and are due to take place even in Islamabad at high levels,

so it is for them at those decision-making levels to reach conclusions, draw inferences. And hopefully this high-stake, high-impact process will be

a high-yield process as well.

ANDERSON: We have seen continued strikes today on the Gulf region where I am. When pressed, Pete Hegseth said that things take time. It takes time, I

think his quote was, to get the carrier pigeon to those who may still be working their assets somewhere in Iran.

Has Iran been offered a grace period of any sort?

Do you see this ceasefire as having either been broken or being extremely fragile when you see these attacks continuing?

SHEIKH: Well, I am not privy to any such grace period afforded or not afforded. But I think there is commitment at the highest level from both

the conflicting parties, Iran and the United States, to this process that has been expressed. And that needs to be taken on its word. That has come

from the highest level of their leaderships.

ANDERSON: I want to talk about who has been invited and, indeed, who you expect to attend. Donald Trump has said that he is determined that Iran has

gone through a -- and I quote him here -- "very productive regime change."

I wonder what you understand. He means by that.

[10:10:00]

It seems at least that he is suggesting parliamentary speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf, who will be leading talks on Friday and the Iranian president,

with the foreign minister, are key interlocutors.

Is that what you understand to be the delegation from Iran?

And who at this point is confirmed attending for the U.S.?

SHEIKH: Well, the delegations, we keep hearing of different names but I believe they are yet to be finalized. And so only on Friday we will know

whoever is in Islamabad would be representing the respective sides. And we only know that it is going to be a high-level, empowered delegation from

either side.

ANDERSON: The people have changed and, for that reason, Donald Trump considers that there has been regime change in Iran. You are a neighbor.

You retain good relations with those in charge there.

Would you describe what we have seen as regime change in Iran?

SHEIKH: I think there was a process in place for takeover in cases of emergencies like the one that was confronted by Iran. And that process has

taken its course. So it was a predetermined thing. And perhaps the names could have been agreed upon, one or the other. But I believe that process

has taken place and it was the due process.

ANDERSON: The question was, do you consider that there has been regime change in Iran over these past 40 days?

SHEIKH: As I said, I mean, it was their process of dealing with that situation. I mean, however one may want to characterize it, it was the due

process as per the Iranian law and the norms that were decided by their legislature and by the --

(CROSSTALK)

ANDERSON: Well, with respect to the -- with respect, the changes came because others were assassinated, including the supreme leader.

SHEIKH: I think in any such situation, death or assassination, there is a process in every country that is in place. I mean, in any country there is

a defined process. And in case of Iran, that particular process was afforded an opportunity and the transition took place.

ANDERSON: Let me get back to these talks. I mean, this has been a monumental effort by Islamabad and I'm sure your team in Washington and the

teams back home and around the region. Israel has continued to attack Lebanon, saying it is not part of this ceasefire, despite your prime

minister Sharif saying it is.

Can you clarify what the parties of this war have agreed to there?

And are you concerned Israel could derail the broader ceasefire agreement at this point?

SHEIKH: Well, as the description and understanding has come from the highest level in Pakistan, so it could not have been more authentic in

terms of the offer made by the prime minister and accepted by the two conflicting parties of affording a ceasefire for two weeks. So it could not

have been more authentic.

And the understandings associated with it could not have been more true. But, of course, this is a situation of a ceasefire that could be disrupted.

And there have been instances in the past where ceasefires have been disrupted. So we perhaps would all want for the best to happen.

ANDERSON: So you're confirming that, as far as the prime minister is concerned, that Lebanon is included in this ceasefire, despite what we have

heard from the prime minister's office in Israel today?

SHEIKH: Well, as Pakistan is a faithful facilitator, I think the understandings coming from the highest level in Pakistan need to be

accorded primacy and certainly authenticity.

ANDERSON: So the answer is yes. OK. Thank you, sir.

Prime minister Sharif, also thanking the GCC. I'm here, of course, in the UAE, quote, "whose consistent support and commitment to peace and stability

in the region remains quintessential for our efforts."

Were Gulf officials specifically consulted in these talks and how much are their security considerations are part of the calculus here?

SHEIKH: Well, definitely. Pakistan has a longstanding relationship with the Gulf countries.

[10:15:00]

We have more than 5.5 million strong of strength of our diaspora in the GCC region only. So they were all along consulted at the commensurate levels,

with the counterparts from the Pakistani side engaging them.

I mean, at times, more than once or twice a day. So this is a consultative process. There are multiple partners who have afforded their trust to

Pakistan, who have afforded consultancy to Pakistan.

And it is based on that trust of all parties that Pakistan found -- was found suitable to conduct this important exercise which we hope would be

consequential in terms of its prolificity and inducing peace, stability in not just the region but it has a global impact, as we have seen, beyond the

region as well.

ANDERSON: To close this out, sir -- and thank you for your time -- these next hours will be critical. I'm sure you will agree.

Can you look ahead for us at how Pakistan will work to ensure that this ceasefire holds?

And again, you know, we have seen strikes here in this region over the past 12 hours.

So how will you work to ensure that the ceasefire holds while bridging what are these enormous gaps between the American and Iranian positions?

SHEIKH: Well, as for the position, the gaps are to be bridged by themselves. Pakistan is only a facilitator. And as I have mentioned, when

the talks commence, the process will have its own dynamic.

And, of course, the necessary condition that has been met in terms of inducing a ceasefire will have to hold to reach the sufficient condition of

yielding a result that impacts positively on peace, stability and tranquility, that is durable for the region and beyond in terms of both its

political and economic implications.

ANDERSON: Finally, did -- was Islamabad warned, given a headsup of this war back on February the 28th, the strikes on Iran by Israel and the U.S.?

And do you consider this a legal war?

SHEIKH: I think it is not for me and Pakistan in particular as a facilitator to make those pronouncements. More important for us is that we

have the trust of conflicting parties.

And now, in terms of the statements of support, pouring in since last night in Islamabad from around the world, starting from Australia to Europe to

other parts of the globe, we need to conduct it in all earnest, in all faithfulness, in all honesty, as a facilitator that enjoys the trust of

both parties.

And we need to retain that trust. We intend to retain that trust. It may be a process that will take a while. But we hope that, through the support,

expressions of good intent, its content would be determined by the two parties themselves and it will yield, you know, in terms of dividends for

peace and stability.

ANDERSON: I understand why you are giving me a diplomatic answer there, sir.

SHEIKH: I am a diplomat.

ANDERSON: I won't -- yes, exactly. You are. And that was a very diplomatic answer. I understand why you are doing that, given that you want to retain

this neutral position here in order to provide some mediation. And all of us want that mediation, of course, to work. So we will leave it there.

Perhaps we can have that discussion about whether or not your country believes that this was indeed a legal war another time. It's good to have

you. Thank you very much indeed for joining us. I very much appreciate it.

SHEIKH: Thank you for having me.

ANDERSON: Nic Robertson is in Tel Aviv.

Thank you, sir.

Nic, as our diplomatic editor, let's start with your key takeaways from what the Pakistani ambassador to the United States has just told me.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, I think one of the key points there was trust, that both sides have trust in Pakistan as a

mediator, that both sides have agreed to some facts or some points put to them by Pakistan's prime minister.

That was helped along in key ways by the -- by the chief of army staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, the principal figure inside Pakistan, if you

will. Carries a lot of weight. So I think from a from a diplomatic perspective, if you -- if you put this in very dispassionate terms,

Pakistan has, it says, positioned itself here to be trusted by both sides.

[10:20:00]

If we move away from the dispassionate toward a more critical assessment, the last time that U.S. and Iranian sides came together for talks was

before the war. They didn't actually come together. It was proximity talks through the Omanis.

So when the ambassador there talks about high stakes that may yield high gains, high level empowered, it is clear when he talks about the need to

keep some secrecy about the details, about how we don't really know whether it's a 10-point plan from Iran or a 15-point plan from the United States or

what language is really agreed to here.

It is very clear that a lot still has to be bridged. And trust is a key part to that. So that's why I picked up when he talked about trust. And

trust, as I've been speaking to diplomats about over the past week or so in the context of this ceasefire, in the opening of Strait of Hormuz, comes in

confidence-building measures.

So I think as you move toward the talks on Friday, as they appear to be in Pakistan with whomever is going to be there -- and he didn't want to say

which top level leaders from Iran, from the United States will be there.

If the trust in the process and the confidence building measures that ships can move through the Strait of Hormuz without interference, whatever Iran's

role in that is, whatever U.S. role in that is at the moment, if that can continue, then that pushes toward more trust at those talks when they

happen.

But I think the bottom line here is there is still a massive gulf to bridge between the two sides. And I think that's what the ambassador was saying

when he said it may take time.

ANDERSON: Yes, absolutely. You're in Israel. You did hear the answer to the question as to whether Israel is on side with this. I mean, as far as

he was concerned, Israel -- sorry; Lebanon is absolutely part of this ceasefire.

He said twice that that should be -- that was a statement that was made by the prime minister. And it should be respected, effectively, is what he

said.

What did you make of that?

ROBERTSON: Yes. He talked about Pakistan's prime minister having the final say, if you will, the primacy I think was the language he used, the primacy

on this issue.

Now I think if you look at Israel's actions today and the position of prime minister Netanyahu, who will, like everyone else, be watching to see how

Iran responds, how the situation settles.

Looking at Iran's strikes in the Gulf today after the ceasefire, he will feel, as he has stated, that there is a big threat to Israel from Hezbollah

but perhaps he recognizes that it's a now time-shortened, time-sensitive amount of battle space, if you will, that he has to work in.

And perhaps that accounts for why there was such a heavy strike, by the IDF's own admission, more than 100 coordinated targets, their biggest yet.

That speaks to perhaps the pressure that does exist on Israel to ramp up its offensive operations inside of Lebanon.

It's not clear that they will. The prime minister here, Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said that he supports the United States ceasefire against

Iran but that Lebanon issue remains a thorny issue.

But Israel will not be at the table in Islamabad as far as we know. And speaking to regional sources here, there's a sense that, until Israel is at

that table, everything in terms of diplomatic terms cannot be done and dusted. And that will be a very high bar going forward.

ANDERSON: It's good to have you, Nic. Thank you very much indeed.

Look, still to come, the IDF, as Nic said, has launched its largest wave of strikes on Lebanon since the war began; many dead. We were going to get to

the capital, Beirut, and hear what is going on, what we understand to be the latest there and how indeed this could impact what is, as far as the

Pakistanis are concerned, a ceasefire.

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ANDERSON: Israel says strikes it carried out earlier today represent its largest coordinated attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon since the war began.

The IDF said it targeted more than 100 positions in the country, with Lebanon's health minister reporting that hundreds of people have been

killed or wounded. Pakistan's prime minister, who helped broker the agreement, said on social media that Lebanon was included in this

ceasefire.

Pakistan's ambassador to the U.S. confirmed that to me, speaking on this show just moments ago. But the office of the Israeli prime minister,

Benjamin Netanyahu, continues to disagree.

CNN's Nada Bashir is in the Lebanese capital and she joins me now.

I mean, the details just becoming clear in what was a huge Israeli attack.

What do we know at this point, Nada?

NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, we watched that attack on Beirut unfold in front of us. A series of large, powerful strikes carried

out on the Lebanese capital.

And these were strikes occurring not in the Dahiyeh area, which is, of course, an area where Hezbollah has had a significant presence in the past

and is under an evacuation order.

But we saw those strikes occurring in areas that weren't necessarily under evacuation orders in parts of central Beirut. And we've just returned from

filming, actually, at one of the bomb sites.

Seeing the aftermath firsthand, a huge amount of destruction in what is notably a civilian area around residential buildings, apartment buildings

and shops nearby, we saw emergency workers trying to recover bodies from a bakery, from a nearby phone store.

And you can imagine, for those who live in this area, this is extremely troubling and worrying to have had to experience this strike during a time

where there had been anticipation that there would be warnings for such occurrences in Beirut and across Lebanon.

As you mentioned, Becky, this was the most powerful wave of attacks we've seen by the Israeli military since the beginning of the war. They say that

they have targeted 100 Hezbollah targets across the country in the space of just 10 minutes.

But, of course, it's unclear at this stage. The details around those targets, many of them are believed to have been in civilian areas. And

we've been hearing from the Lebanese health ministry saying that, at this stage, they believe hundreds have been killed and wounded as a result of

today's attacks.

And that's on top of a death toll that was already over 1,500. And, of course, this is a city that is seeing the impact of this war firsthand.

More than a million people have been displaced across the country. Many of them are sheltering here in Beirut in makeshift temporary shelters.

And, of course, for many here who had woken up to the news of a ceasefire between the U.S., Israel and Iran, there had been hopes that that ceasefire

would extend to Lebanon.

We heard from the Pakistani prime minister saying that he believed that that ceasefire would include Lebanon. And, of course, we did hear from

Hezbollah's spokesperson saying that Iran had insisted, according to Hezbollah, on Lebanon being included.

Clearly that is not the case. We have seen these huge, powerful strikes carried out by the Israeli military. We will be waiting to see how

Hezbollah responds to this latest attack. And, of course, for everyone here in Lebanon, they are holding their breath, waiting to see what happens next

and where this war will take the country.

[10:30:00]

ANDERSON: I've just spoken to the Pakistani ambassador to the United States, who confirmed that, you know, it is indeed, according to the

Pakistan prime minister, he reaffirmed that Lebanon was and should and is be is included in this ceasefire.

Just before I let you go, I know you've been down to this site.

Can you just explain what you know, what the atmosphere is, what people there were telling you?

How do they feel?

BASHIR: Becky, it is total chaos at these -- the aftermath of these bomb sites. The emergency services have a very heavy presence on the ground

alongside the Lebanese military. And, of course, many are still trying to grasp what has happened today.

Areas that were targeted that they didn't expect to become the targets of this latest war. And we've been speaking to people on the ground, the

majority of whom have been telling us that they want an immediate end to this war. They want peace.

We spoke to one Lebanese American individual, who told us she just wants this war to come to an end. She wants peace. Clearly, that ceasefire

agreement has not extended to Lebanon at this stage.

And there is a fear amongst the Lebanese people that we will only continue to see an escalation. And I have to tell you, Becky, the aftermath of these

explosions, these strikes is staggering to see firsthand.

These are residential buildings, apartment blocks, car parks full of cars, where civilians would have been using this space; a busy roadside full of

shops and cafes, now turned to rubble and blackened smoke.

ANDERSON: Thank you.

Nada Bashir is in Beirut and she will have a report for you on CNN and in the shows to follow this. Of course, she's just got back from that site.

Well, still to come, how Gulf Arab countries are responding to the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. A live report from Riyadh, Saudi

Arabia, is next.

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ANDERSON (voice-over): Welcome back. You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson. These are your headlines.

Pakistan says it hopes the ceasefire agreement that it brokered between Iran and the U.S. and Israel turns into a permanent peace. Prime minister

Shehbaz Sharif invited delegations from Tehran and Washington to Islamabad on Friday for further talks.

U.S. sources say the White House is preparing for in-person negotiations. Well, governments across the Middle East are welcoming this two-week

ceasefire and urging the warring sides to put a permanent end to the fighting.

[10:35:00]

People across the Gulf have been in the firing line, of course, during more than five weeks of war, suffering numerous casualties and major damage to

infrastructure and to businesses.

Well, the Israeli military issued a new urgent evacuation warning to people in seven neighborhoods in the south of Beirut. Prime minister Benjamin

Netanyahu says Israel's action against Hezbollah in Lebanon is not affected by the ceasefire.

Pakistan, which brokered this, says it does include Lebanon. Well, an estimated 1,500 people have been killed in Lebanon since the war started

there. And we've just been reported on the biggest strikes yet on a neighborhood in central Beirut. More on that, of course, as we get it.

ANDERSON: But authorities are saying hundreds dead and wounded. Let's get you back into the Gulf region. Let's bring in CNN chief international

correspondent Clarissa Ward in Riyadh.

Clarissa, relief here where I am in the UAE, I have to say, tinged with some anxiety, the UAE engaging 17 ballistic missiles, 35 drones today.

Those numbers are, of course, smaller than they were at their height but still concerning nonetheless.

What's the latest in the kingdom where you are and what's your assessment of where we are at some, what, 12 hours at this point after this ceasefire

came into place, loosely termed?

CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think, Becky, it's a similar picture. As you mentioned, in terms of the day,

started out with a palpable sense of relief. Saudi's leadership has not been very vocal. They've been quite circumspect.

But we've been speaking to a number of sources who said there were real concerns that if president Trump had carried out on his threat to

essentially decimate Iran's civilian infrastructure, that it would be the Gulf countries in Saudi Arabia that would pay the price in terms of Iran's

retaliatory attacks.

Now that relief, as you mentioned, is being tinged with some real concern because, as you said and spoke to Nada Bashir earlier, heaviest day of

strikes in Lebanon but also a pretty day, heavy day here in the Gulf; in the UAE, where you are; in Kuwait.

At least 28 drones were intercepted here in Saudi, at least nine drones have been intercepted and one drone, crucially, according to multiple

reports, hit a pumping station in Saudi Arabia's east-west pipeline, that crucial Yanbu pipeline, which is a essentially the only artery that the

Gulf has for exporting its crude oil.

At the moment, some 7 million barrels a day. So all of that really leading people to carefully think about what kind of a message Iran is trying to

send here by continuing to attack Gulf countries, how Iran might respond to Israel's decimating attacks across Lebanon, how Hezbollah might respond.

And all of that, making it very clear that this is an incredibly fragile, incredibly vulnerable ceasefire. There is a huge chasm, as we have been

discussing, between the U.S.' 15-point peace plan and Iran's 10-point peace plan.

And some of those elements of Iran's 10-point plan are very concerning to Gulf countries, specifically issues pertaining to ballistic missile launch,

capabilities pertaining to Iran's regional proxies that are still operating.

Though it's interesting to note, one source told me that the Houthis have certainly adopted a more humble posture in the last 40 days, shall we say.

And then crucially again, the Strait of Hormuz for GCC countries to have Iran in control of the strait is simply a red line.

So while everyone here still very much wants cooler heads to prevail, it is becoming increasingly clear that this is going to be a very complex and

knotty picture to try to piece together, Becky.

ANDERSON: Yes, absolutely. The kingdom, of course, has been very much involved behind the scenes in these Pakistan-led efforts to get this

ceasefire in place. And these talks underway on Friday. You've got a good dateline there, as we see what happens in the next couple of days. Thank

you for that.

I want to bring in Jonathan Panikoff with the Atlantic Council. He's -- his group is a nonpartisan think tank based in Washington that focuses on

international affairs and global security. Jonathan has a deep understanding, not least of security issues here around this region and in

the U.S. and national security thinking.

[10:40:07]

When you hear about the impact here in the Gulf and in Lebanon, I just want your assessment of this ceasefire agreement, whether you think it has a

chance of holding at this point.

And again, I preface this by saying we've had attacks here across the Gulf, significant attacks in Israel -- in Lebanon today.

What's your sense of the atmosphere in Washington today as we consider what happens in the days to come?

JONATHAN PANIKOFF, DIRECTOR, ATLANTIC COUNCIL: Great to be with you this evening. Look, it's a bit of a Rorschach test at the moment, frankly.

Right. I think there's significant differences in interpretations between how the U.S. is interpreting the ceasefire, how Israel's interpreting it

and how Iran is interpreting it.

And that makes it incredibly dangerous and means that it may not actually hold as long as we think or thought it would even 12 hours ago. I think

there's still some hope here in Washington that know that this will be overcome.

The issue in Lebanon and whether or not Lebanon is part of this right now, I think is the biggest crux to answering that, at least in the immediate

term, as there's some rumors here that Iran may strike back against Israel for going into Lebanon.

But right now it's everybody's own interpretation. And that extends not only to the conflict itself but, frankly, to what comes next in the Strait

of Hormuz and what will come next over the next 14 days of negotiations.

ANDERSON: Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform throughout the morning in ways that seemingly changed the contours of this ceasefire. He

suggested the U.S. and Iran could launch a joint venture in the Strait of Hormuz and that they will work together to dig enriched uranium or the dust

out of the ground in Iran.

What do you make of these rather stunning ideas?

And is it clear to you in any way at this point what a framework for these talks might look like?

PANIKOFF: No, I think the framework is quite unclear still. And I think until they actually start, it's going to continue to be. Look, the reality

is the president is well known for putting out a lot of different ideas and messaging on Truth Social.

We saw quite the change over the last 24 hours from when he was threatening, frankly, the entirety of Persian history and Iranian society

to the fact that we got to a detente and to, at least for the moment, to ceasefire.

The ultimate question is going to be really, what are the minimums that Iran needs?

What are the minimums the U.S. needs?

And how can they be matched up?

Because right now we're quite far apart on nuclear issues, on the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranians clearly are going to see this as leverage and long-

term deterrence and there's no indication that they're going to give it up.

I think the Iranians think that they, fundamentally, if not won, are winning right now and have no interest in ceding almost anything, both

financial, even territorial.

This newfound potential fulcrum of deterrence that they have over the strait to what obviously will be significant dismay in the Gulf.

ANDERSON: That certainly contrasts with the position of the secretary of war, who at a press conference earlier on called this a victory with a

capital V, a capital V victory for the United States over the Iranians.

Look, vice president JD Vance is expected to lead the American delegation in Islamabad on Friday alongside Trump's go-to emissaries of Steve Witkoff

and Jared Kushner. I did just speak to the Pakistani ambassador to the United States. He would not confirm exactly who would be in attendance on

either side.

But let's assume that JD Vance does take on what looks like a leading role here.

Why is that significant to your mind and what impact do you believe that will or would have on these talks?

PANIKOFF: I think the biggest significance is, frankly, that JD Vance, the vice president, is the person most well known to have been opposed to this

war. There's been significant reporting and from people I've talked to here in Washington; that's been known for quite a while now. I think the details

of it are starting to emerge.

But it also means that he's going to be the most likely to really try to sincerely find a solution to ensure that the war does not restart. And so

from an Iranian perspective.

[10:45:00]

And I think from a lot of folks' perspective, certainly the Pakistanis as the facilitators, that's going to be a positive because the hope is going

to be that he may be more flexible.

The reality, however, is that, at the end of the day, president Trump alone is going to make the decision. I think it's much harder to restart a

conflict like this once you have a ceasefire, even a temporary one.

But again, the question is going to be, how do you conclude the ceasefire, get to a permanent offramp in a way that ensures that U.S. equities are

protected ,not only in the Strait of Hormuz but, frankly, the 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium that Iran still has?

How do you ensure that its ballistic missile program isn't rebuilt?

Those are all things that the U.S. is going to be watching for. And so too, frankly, is Israel, which is also going to have a say, even from the

sidelines.

ANDERSON: Yes, more difficult to restart a war after a ceasefire. You're absolutely right, though it is not impossible. And we have, of course, seen

that both in Gaza and in Lebanon, just over the past 24 months or so.

Jonathan, it's always good to have you. Thank you very much indeed for making time for us today.

Ahead on CONNECT THE WORLD, a closer look at the nuances of Iran's role as the gatekeeper of one of the most important shipping routes in the world.

I'm going to be talking to the head of Lloyd's List after this break.

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ANDERSON: A last-minute ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is translating into a quite significant slide in oil prices. The temporary truce sparking

hopes that more oil and natural gas tankers will soon be sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.

There is, though, still uncertainty around the deal and shipping experts are somewhat toning down expectations of a swift return to normal in these

oil markets. Let's head to London, where we're joined by Richard Meade. He's the editor-in-chief of Lloyd's List Intelligence.

Terrific having you on today, an important day.

What is your understanding of what is going on inside the Strait of Hormuz right now and in the waterways on both sides?

RICHARD MEADE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, LLOYD'S LIST INTELLIGENCE: I think there's still a lot of uncertainty, is the headline. I think there is much more

optimism. I've spoken to a number of ship owners and charterers today who are quite optimistic that they will be able to start moving ships

imminently.

But there are still too many unanswered questions in terms of what that looks like, in terms of the detail, in terms of whether they will have to

pay or not, who they have to agree these passages with.

I think the reality is that everybody is assuming that, for now, Iran remains in control of the strait and therefore protocols will have to be

followed. Payments will have to be made. It just depends who you are in terms of whether you are going to get permission or not. So right now,

we're not seeing a huge amount of movement.

[10:50:00]

We are seeing some ships move but the reality is they are still the ones that are linked to Iran. So that's always been the case. There hasn't been

a great exodus of ships and, frankly, that's not likely to happen imminently.

ANDERSON: Iran's foreign minister saying, and I quote, "Safe passage will be possible via coordination with Iran's armed forces and with due

consideration of technical limitations."

What do you believe that means?

MEADE: Well, I think it's a euphemism for those who are paying and those who are not. Under the current system, we know exactly how ships are

negotiating their way through because we've heard it directly from the owners.

Each vessel seeks clearance from the IRGC, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy. Documentation is given in terms of ownership, management, financing,

insurance, the trading history of the vessel. Essentially the IRGC want documentary proof that the vessels that are moving have no affiliated links

with the U.S. or Israel.

Now we see no reason to suggest that that is not going to continue to be the case. Then it's a question of, once you have approval, you then get the

green light, which will allow you to be, in some cases, inspected physically by officials; in some cases, an IRGC speedboat will accompany

the vessel through.

But essentially you don't go anywhere unless you get approval. And that hasn't changed overnight just because there's been this 10-point plan

negotiated. I think what the owners are really waiting to see is the detail of what that means and who they have to talk to now. That's not clear yet.

ANDERSON: You've written that there is a quote, "flexible" -- sorry. Let me say that -- "a flexible club of nations," who you say "see a variation

of the scenario where Iran remains a steward of seaborne trade in the Strait of Hormuz."

So by that do you mean we're effectively seeing the formalization of Iran's role as the gatekeeper of one of the world's most important shipping

routes?

And that this flexible club of nations just understand that that is the way it's going to be?

MEADE: I think the reality is a lot of states are being pragmatic here. I don't think anybody particularly wants Iran to be, you know, exacting tolls

or seeking, you know, to be the ones that are the long-term stewards of which ships do and don't get approved.

But there is a pragmatism at play here at the moment. This is a choke point that is responsible or should be responsible for 20 percent of energy

exports and it is not. So you have seen India, China, Iraq, Malaysia, Philippines, a number of states are negotiating directly with Tehran now.

They are essentially seeing a scenario where Iran continues to play a pivotal role in terms of approving vessels going through.

As I say, this is something that is in development. It is something that is going to have to be negotiated, both at a diplomatic level and on an

individual ship level. And I think the reality is, right now, some ships will be approved and some ships won't (ph).

ANDERSON: Understood. Last question to you. We are just getting reports that Iran may have stopped any access to the Strait of Hormuz, again, in

the wake of what was an enormous attack by the Israelis on central Beirut, as they say they go after certain Hezbollah assets there.

Is that anything that you can stand up at this point?

MEADE: No. I mean, we've seen a number of videos circulating around ship owners today, seeing the VHF radio signals that have been going through. To

be honest, that's pretty much standard. We knew that, you know, they are saying you cannot pass the strait until you have approval.

Now we haven't seen anything to change that so I suspect it's probably just a continuation of the same, as I say, you either get approval or you don't

but nobody's moving until they do.

ANDERSON: Richard, it's good to have you. Thank you very much indeed.

We are going to take a very quick break. Got a couple of minutes for you after this break, including what are these incredible images from space as

astronauts on the Orion capsule begin their journey back home. The latest on what was that historic Artemis II mission. You're going to love these.

Stay with us.

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ANDERSON: The four astronauts aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft are due to wake up shortly for day eight of what has been this historic Artemis II

mission around the world. They executed the first return trajectory burn last night, adjusting the Orion's course back to Earth.

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ANDERSON (voice-over): NASA has released never-before-seen images of the lunar far side --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE).

ANDERSON (voice-over): -- taken from Orion and photos of a total solar eclipse. Look at that.

The crew also spoke with their counterparts on the ISS, the International Space Station. Their capsule is set for splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on

Friday.

Well, that's our splashdown. That's it for CONNECT THE WORLD. Stay with CNN. "ONE WORLD" is next.

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