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U.S.-Israel War with Iran Ceasefire on Shaky Ground; Per U.S. and Israel, Lebanon Not Part of Ceasefire; Impeded Fertilizer Supply Brings Risk of Famine; Russian Subs Spotted Near U.K.; Trump's Iran Threats Deemed War Crimes if Actioned; Hungary Parliamentary Election This Weekend. Aired 10-11a ET

Aired April 09, 2026 - 10:00   ET

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

[10:00:00]

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BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): Welcome to our second hour of the show. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi, where the time is 6:00 in the

evening.

Our top story, pivotal days for the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. in the run-up to peace talks scheduled in Pakistan on Saturday. Iran

says its delegation will arrive in Islamabad in the coming hours.

At the same time Trump has a message for Tehran, saying "U.S. military assets and personnel will remain where they are until a full agreement is

reached."

His defense chief said much the same thing to reporters at the Pentagon. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PETE HEGSETH, U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Yes. We'll be hanging around. We're not going anywhere. We're going to make sure Iran complies with the

ceasefire and then ultimately comes to the table and makes a deal. Our troops are prepared to defend, prepared to go on offense, prepared to

restart at a moment's notice

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, a sticking point in all of this, you will be aware, is Israel's continued attacks on Lebanon. Iran says Israel is violating the

ceasefire. U.S. vice president JD Vance takes a different view.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

J.D. VANCE, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: I think this comes from a legitimate misunderstanding. I think the Iranians thought that the ceasefire included

Lebanon and it just didn't. We never made that promise. We never indicated that was going to be the case.

What we said is that the ceasefire would be focused on Iran and the ceasefire would be focused on America's allies, both Israel and the Gulf

Arab states.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: CNN's Jeremy Diamond live for us in Tel Aviv.

Let me start with what we know about Israel's operations in Lebanon as we speak.

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Well, as we are seeing, there is no slowdown in Israel's attacks on Lebanon, despite Iran's

insistence that Lebanon should be included as part of the ceasefire, despite the statement from the Pakistani mediators that Lebanon was

supposed to be included in the ceasefire.

Instead, what we are seeing today are continued airstrikes, continued ground activity from the Israeli military in Lebanon. Strikes today have

already killed at least 10 people, including women and children, according to Lebanon's national news agency.

In addition to that, we're seeing that the Israeli military is clearly preparing for more strikes in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, where the

Israeli military issued new broad evacuation orders for parts of the southern suburbs of Beirut, likely a forecast for additional strikes to

take place in those areas.

This all comes after yesterday we saw the Israeli military carry out the most intense wave of strikes in Lebanon that we have seen since the

beginning of this current war, with at least 182 people who were killed in those strikes, more than 890 people injured, according to Lebanon's health

ministry.

Many of these strikes took place in densely populated neighborhoods, densely populated urban areas of the Lebanese capital of Beirut, stretching

far beyond those southern suburbs of the Dahiyeh, which are known to be a Shia majority area and a Hezbollah stronghold.

Instead some of these strikes took place in central areas of Beirut and we saw, of course, the number of civilian casualties continuing to rise as a

result of that. Now all of this is, of course, having an impact on the potential success of the ceasefire that has now taken hold in a very, very

fragile manner between the United States and Iran.

While both the U.S. and Israel have withheld strikes on Iran, Iran is also not striking Israel or the United States at this time. We are not seeing

that Strait of Hormuz be opened in a significant way to commercial ships and oil tankers. Only a handful of ships have passed through that Strait of

Hormuz since the ceasefire agreement was reached.

It is, of course, a key condition on the Iranian side in order for the ceasefire to be maintained.

ANDERSON: To your earlier point, the Pakistan ambassador to the U.S. specifically confirming to me yesterday, Wednesday, that Lebanon is or

certainly was included in what is a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

Is it clear, Jeremy, whether Israel is on board with these U.S. efforts to end the Iran war?

[10:05:00]

DIAMOND: Well, certainly publicly we heard the Israeli prime minister last night, you know, expressing his support for president Trump's efforts to

end this diplomatically, committing to the ceasefire agreement as it relates to Iran.

Privately we know it's a very different story. Israeli officials have enormous misgivings about the possibility of a -- of strikes of -- you

know, they believe that they can still strike, carry out strikes in Lebanon. And they have maintained their right to do so.

And, of course, that is the linchpin issue that could unravel this ceasefire altogether. We heard today from Mohammad Ghalibaf, the speaker of

Iran's parliament, the man who is likely going to be sitting down at the negotiating table in Islamabad.

Once again, saying that the ceasefire violations and that they will carry, quote, "explicit costs and strong responses," calling on Israel to, quote,

"extinguish the fire immediately."

So this is a major issue and one that is still, as of yet, unresolved.

And the question is, what is the United States going to do about it?

Are they ultimately going to pressure Israel to stop carrying out these attacks?

We haven't seen that so far. Both president Trump and JD Vance insisting Israel still has the right to carry out strikes in Lebanon.

Or, you know, is this going to lead to Iran resuming fire as a result in retaliation for what's happening in Lebanon?

So a whole host of unanswered questions right now and a very, very delicate moment in what is an extraordinarily shaky ceasefire.

ANDERSON: Can I ask you, before I let you go, briefly, since this ceasefire came into place effectively -- we know it's fragile. We haven't

seen, in the past 24 hours at least, Iranian attacks here in the Gulf.

What's the situation where you are?

DIAMOND: Yes, same. Same here. No Iranian ballistic missile attacks since the first hours of that ceasefire. We saw a few rounds of ballistic missile

fire toward Israel in the first hour after the Pakistani prime minister tweeted out that that ceasefire had taken immediate effect.

We also saw Israeli strikes that were taking place at the same time but, within a few hours, it seems both Israel and Iran began respecting the

ceasefire, at least as it relates to strikes on each other.

A very different story, of course, as we're talking about in Lebanon. And again, the Iranians now, you know, threatening to a response here if Israel

does not stop its attacks in Lebanon.

ANDERSON: Yes. Good to have you out of Tel Aviv. Thank you.

Well, European leaders are in region. Belgium's foreign minister says one of the massive Israeli airstrikes on Beirut on Wednesday happened within a

few hundred meters of him. Here in Abu Dhabi, the British prime minister arrived in the past few hours as part of his visit to the Gulf and another

key European official in Abu Dhabi.

Today I sat down with the E.U.'s foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas. We spoke following her meetings in Saudi Arabia with the country's foreign

minister and the Gulf Cooperation Council secretary general.

She is navigating concerns from the Gulf and weeks of scathing criticism from the U.S., pressing Europe to take stronger action, very specifically

in the Strait of Hormuz. Today, the head of the national oil company here in the UAE said plainly the strait is not open.

Quote, "Access is being restricted, conditioned and controlled. Conditional passage is not passage. It is controlled by another name. Stability now

depends on restoring real flows, not partial access, not temporary measures, not controlled passage but full and reliable supply."

He has also described Iran's chokehold as economic terrorism. Well, I asked Kallas if she understands that palpable frustration.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAJA KALLAS, HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY, POLICY, EUROPEAN UNION: No, absolutely. I mean, we have the same frustration that

the Strait of Hormuz is not open. And that's why we are discussing with our partners here.

What can we do?

I think it is very important that we can -- we cannot legitimize any requests for taxing or tolling the trade routes that have been opened. I

mean, this is a very dangerous road. If we go down that road, because there are other, you know, waterways in the world that could be next.

And it has a huge impact on the world economy. I mean, the gas and oil going to mostly to Asia but also to Europe; the fertilizer's going to

Africa. I mean, if you don't have fertilizers this year, you're going to be having a famine next year.

So we are really trying to work with our partners. Also push U.N. to have clear stance that this has to be opened.

[10:10:06]

ANDERSON: The E.U. statement just earlier this week, welcoming the ceasefire and it said, and I quote here, "Governments will contribute to

ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."

So let's be very specific here.

What does that look like in this new context?

KALLAS: Well, of course, different member states have also had different approaches to this. So like I said, we have operation, naval operation as

Fidesz (ph), that is already in the region.

If the member states want, we can also extend the mandate of that operation. There is a discussion of the Coalition of the Willing. But that

is also after the cessation of hostilities.

Then there are member states who are also providing the air defense cover. So there is a lot that we can do. But we have to be here together with our

Gulf partners and actually international community, that it has to be open.

ANDERSON: Do you understand?

I listen to what you're saying and I hear the criticism that Europe is just a talking shop, that this region doesn't see the action it wants to see.

How long would a Coalition of the Willing, for example, take to build for the Strait of Hormuz?

KALLAS: Let's be honest, we haven't created the situation.

Second, we are doing a lot for the region. If you think about, like I mentioned, the naval operation we have in the region to keep the Red Sea

open; if you think about the support for Lebanese armed forces to fight, you know, to disarm Hezbollah.

If you think about the support for the two-state solution or the Palestinian Authority, that we are actually, you know, really, giving, if

you think about, you know, the air defense and all the things that we are actually doing for this region, then, you know, I feel that this is really

unfair, that -- of course, we can all do more.

But then the question is, we also have our security theater in Europe. We have Russia's war against Ukraine going on for four years. We haven't seen,

you know, really the Gulf countries helping us there; whereas, you know, it can't be only one-way street that it goes to this direction and then there

is no response.

If you think about Russia now helping Iran, if you think about some of the Gulf countries who have been helping to circumvent the sanctions that we

have against Iran, that now, you know, they are able to attack these countries. So if we would be in it together, like, you know, our

adversaries clearly are, then we would be much stronger.

ANDERSON: The U.S., Donald Trump very specifically, has described NATO as a paper tiger. Following his meeting with the secretary general, Mark

Rutte, he said they weren't there when we needed them. They won't be there again if we need them. It is a criticism I know echoed through this Gulf

region.

I understand the Europeans didn't want this war. They've kept their support to a defensive posture.

How concerned are you about the U.S. position with regard NATO at this point?

KALLAS: Well, NATO is the strongest defense alliance there is in the world and we need to keep it that way. We need to strengthen NATO, not weaken it.

And, of course, all the misunderstandings that we have between each other are definitely weakening it.

And, you know, coming from a country that lost actually a lot of soldiers in the wars that, you know, U.S. asked us to participate, it is very, very

painful to hear that this has all been in vain.

I mean, hundreds of thousands of European soldiers fought in Afghanistan, in Iraq, because U.S. asked us to. And now to say that we have not done

anything. I mean, this is, you know, not true and not fair.

ANDERSON: Do you fear retribution from the E.U. -- from the U.S. at this point?

Does Europe fear retribution?

KALLAS: Well, we need to definitely keep NATO together and not go into these disputes, because, who are benefiting from this are our adversaries.

Because when we are not together, we are both weaker.

I mean, that applies to us as much as it applies to Europe. So in this volatile security situation in the world, we really need to work together

to make it stronger and not weaker.

ANDERSON: Let me just bring it back to this region.

[10:15:02]

The E.U. had been rapidly progressing a E.U.-Gulf partnership, very much deeper and more effective Gulf partnership going forward.

Do you worry that that is on the rocks at this point?

KALLAS: No, actually, I think the opposite because we have been there for the Gulf countries. And when we are talking, then we see a lot of more

cooperation points on security and defense, for example. That hasn't been the topic before.

But now clearly we see, you know, the beneficial partnership on both sides when it comes to security and defense as well. So rather, we are

strengthening our cooperation.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Kaja Kallas was in Abu Dhabi a little earlier today and I had the opportunity there to sit down with her.

Well, Iran says shipping traffic through the strait stopped after Israel's deadly strikes on Lebanon on Wednesday. There are reports that a handful of

ships have passed through the strait since the ceasefire was announced.

However, hundreds remain anchored in the area. For more, I want to bring in Simon Kelly, who is a retired U.K. Royal Navy commodore.

And I want to start with the post from the ADNOC CEO, Sultan al Jaber.

He says, quote, "conditional passage is not passage."

And he expands, "This moment requires clarity."

So let's try and provide some clarity and be clear. The Strait of Hormuz is not open. Access is being restricted, conditioned and controlled.

He has a point, doesn't he?

But will that point be heard in Washington, D.C.?

COMMODORE SIMON KELLY (RET.), U.K. ROYAL NAVY: I think that's a -- I think that's a really good question. I certainly hope so. And I think what he's

alluding to there is for some the kind of concept of the rules-based international order might seem a little bit vague.

As a fetile (ph) mariner, it's absolutely concrete and it's embodied in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

And in this particular case, there are a number of states around the world -- Dover closest to me now; Gibraltar, Bab El-Mandeb and the Malacca

Strait; Strait of Hormuz in this particular case, where transit passage is enshrined in those in those rules in that article.

And so a nation, so in the Strait of Malacca you've got two nations whose territorial waters butt up against each other. So you've got Oman and Iran

on the other side and there should be no suspension or hampering of the freedom of movement of traffic through that. And so that's absolutely at

the core of what he's saying.

And traditionally, the vessels coming in and out of the Gulf would come in -- you drive on the right hand side, so to speak. So if you're coming into

the Gulf, you go closest to Iranian waters. And if you come out, you're central to the passage strait you're going through near Omani territory. So

that's what he's referring to.

ANDERSON: President Trump told ABC News that the U.S. could help secure the strait in a, quote, "joint venture" with Iran.

Now how would that work?

KELLY: So frankly, I'm not sure how that would work. What we've seen over the conflict is this toll booth introduction by the Iranians. You've seen

vessels, a trickle of vessels, who headed north and above Larak Island and back out the strait via -- that's almost a -- the longest route round.

That's something that the Iranians control and they're demonstrating they've got control of that right now. How -- you know, this will be a

point of tension as negotiations go forward and trying to gauge how there could be some kind of combined effort is really difficult to see.

But more than that, I'm absolutely positive that the U.S. administration would really want to see a return to transit passage, so that what we had

before enshrined by NCLOS (ph).

ANDERSON: We'll see. We'll see.

The shipping industry, meantime, is still trying to assess how safe it is.

An expert told CNN, quote, "Each ship needs to get special dispensation to transit the strait.

"As a result of that, will there be preference for Gulf states, U.S. ships or anyone else who backchannels through Tehran?"

So how do companies navigate these mixed signals, Simon?

KELLY: Yes, I think it's really -- I think it's really difficult for them. And it feels like an age ago that you and I were talking about the fact

that ultimately the operators, the owners and the captains of the ship will be the ones who actually make these decisions.

At the moment, there's a technical documentation check by the Iranian Guard Corps as you go through. And what they've done overnight is they've

established a hazardous area in that central strait.

[10:20:05]

Which forces traffic through that into the water that they can most influence. And that really plays into their hands.

And I can see a situation where the maritime community feels that, if they want to get their vessels out, the best way will be to comply with what the

Iranians are asking for. That will absolutely undermine that transit passage that is so critical as a return.

Because if we don't see that return in the Strait of Hormuz, it can have real ramifications for the flow of maritime traffic around the world, those

arteries that, upon which we depend hugely.

ANDERSON: Yes. So if you were listening earlier, certainly those viewers who have been with us all hour will have heard my conversation with Kaja

Kallas, who is the E.U.'s foreign chief, about what European support would look like.

She said Europe is already doing enough and did not create this situation. But she did point out that the existing naval operations in the region

could be replicated effectively. She's talking about what's going on in there -- in the Red Sea at present.

What do military options look like for European nations realistically, Simon?

And what can they do with or without U.S. support at this point?

KELLY: I think there are two things that they can -- they can really support at the moment from a purely maritime perspective.

The first one is when the conditions allow to undertake mine operations or mine clearance operations in this area that the Iranians have declared as

hazardous through mining operations -- so they need to guarantee, they need to build confidence in the maritime community. So that's number one.

And number two, I think when the conditions are right, you could see the reintroduction of something. So in 2019, the last time we saw a real

challenge from the Iranians, the U.K. actually led something called the International Maritime Security --

(CROSSTALK)

ANDERSON: A warning from who to Moscow?

KELLY: -- Bahrain, (INAUDIBLE).

Say again?

ANDERSON: Good to have you, sir. Sorry.

KELLY: Thank you.

ANDERSON: I interrupted you. No, it's good to have you. Thank you very much indeed for joining us.

Well, a warning to Moscow after Russian submarine activity, said to be near critical infrastructure in the North Atlantic. How close they got and who

that warning is from -- after the break.

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ANDERSON: The U.K. and Norway say they spent weeks tracking and deterring Russian submarines in the North Atlantic. British officials say a Russian

attack sub and two spy submarines were spotted near key undersea cables and pipelines north of the United Kingdom.

Now that military operation to track the subs involved a warship, aircraft and hundreds of personnel.

[10:25:00]

CNN's Clare Sebastian with a lot more on this from London.

What do we know at this point?

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it was a pretty major operation. It seems, Becky, that the British ministry of defense has announced today,

in what seems to be a hastily arranged press conference, it involved not only, as you say, significant assets, personnel, warships, planes but also

they worked with allies.

Once they'd identified that initial attack submarine, they said they decided at a certain point was a distraction or a decoy, they then worked

with allies, including Norway, to identify other Russian submarines operating, they say, near critical undersea infrastructure.

And spent several weeks monitoring and making their presence felt so that Russia would understand that this covert operation, as the Defense

Secretary put it, was no longer covert and they had essentially been spotted.

So look, the vessels have now retreated, says the defense minister. There is no evidence, he says, at this point, of any damage to critical undersea

infrastructure, which, of course, transports everything from gas supplies to internet traffic, which powers, as he put it, Britain's way of life.

But clearly the point not only of deploying all of these naval assets but of making this announcement was to send a message. And I think that message

in particular directed at Russia. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN HEALEY, BRITISH SECRETARY OF DEFENCE: I'm pretty clear that Putin would want us to be distracted by the Middle East. And what I'm setting out

today demonstrates that we are not just exposing his covert operation.

But we are saying to him that we recognize Russia as the primary threat to the U.K. and to NATO and that we will not take our eyes off Putin.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SEBASTIAN: So look, this -- the context for this is, of course, as he noted in that clip, that there are significant concerns that Russia, which

is, of course, benefiting in many ways from the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, will seek to take advantage of that.

To not only continue its attacks on Ukraine, as it has been doing but continue with sabotage activities beyond Ukraine.

And, of course, this is not a new threat for the U.K. The ministry of defense saying that it's seen a 30 percent increase in Russian ships

threatening U.K. waters over the past two years.

And just yesterday, according to Britain's "Daily Telegraph," a Russian navy frigate escorted sanctioned oil tankers through the English Channel.

So this is an ever-present and real danger that the U.K. is grappling with.

And, of course, facing further questions about their military readiness today in the face of multiple threats on multiple different fronts -- Becky

ANDERSON: Good to have you. Thank you very much indeed. We will continue to monitor this story.

Still ahead, new evacuation orders in Beirut on the heels of the largest Israeli strikes yet on targets, they say, in Lebanon. We will get you to

the capital of Beirut to assess the aftermath. That is after this.

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[10:30:00]

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

Delegations from Tehran and Washington are set to meet Saturday and Pakistan, which brokered the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

Now that deal is looking shaky as Israel continues to strike targets in Lebanon.

Donald Trump letting Tehran know that U.S. forces in the region will remain in place until a full agreement is reached.

Sean Diddy Combs' lawyers are appealing his case in court. They argue that Diddy's conduct amounted to creating amateur pornography, which is

protected under the U.S. First Amendment. The music mogul is serving a 50- month prison term after being convicted last year.

Well, Hungary is heading into a high-stakes election this weekend. It's a vote that could end prime minister Viktor Orban's 16-year grip on power.

U.S. vice president JD Vance has been in Budapest urging voters to stand with Orban. Orban has been trailing in the polls.

Well, governments in the Middle East and beyond have condemned Israeli strikes on Lebanon on Wednesday, which killed 182 people. In the region,

Qatar's foreign ministry described Israel's conduct as "heinous," while Turkiye accused Israel of undermining peace efforts.

Meanwhile, Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez denounced his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu for showing contempt for life. And I quote

him there.

Well, the attack, which was the largest against Lebanon since the war began, is threatening to derail the ceasefire currently in place between

the U.S. and Iran. CNN's Nada Bashir has the latest from Beirut.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Homes destroyed, the air filled with smoke, the site of yet another deadly attack.

BASHIR: This is the aftermath of an enormous Israeli military strike here in Beirut. This is one of the more than a hundred targets, according to the

Israeli military they believe to be Hezbollah targets struck today.

But you can see behind me, these appear to be residential buildings. Upon this, this is a very busy area full of shops and a busy roadway. There

would have been many people at this site and around the area at the time of the blast and now emergency services are working to dig through the rubble

for victims.

BASHIR (voice-over): The Lebanese health ministry says hundreds have been killed and wounded, adding to the more than 1,500 people the ministry said

Tuesday have been killed in Lebanon over the course of this war.

Hopes that the cease fire between the U.S. Israel and Iran would extend to Lebanon were quickly dashed just hours after it came into effect.

RASHA, BEIRUT RESIDENCE (through translator): We were sitting, drinking like normal and then we heard a very loud noise, three blasts at the same

time and then we saw the smoke but we couldn't tell where it was coming from.

What kind of life is this?

We don't know what will happen in the next hour. The last thing we could imagine is this kind of attack occurring in the center of Beirut.

BASHIR (voice-over): In the neighborhood of Talet el Khayat, first responders attempt to rescue survivors after a section of a residential

building was completely leveled. Both the U.S. and Israel have claimed Lebanon was never part of the cease fire agreement, despite claims to the

contrary from Pakistan's prime minister who helped broker the deal.

Now fears of a further escalation, including a possible retaliation from Hezbollah ally Iran, has left many fearful over what now lies ahead for the

people of Lebanon -- Nada Bashir, CNN, in Beirut.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Well, Iran's top officials are stressing that Lebanon is included in this ceasefire deal, although the U.S. and Israel both say

otherwise.

I want to speak to Firas Maksad. He's managing director for the Middle East and North Africa at the Eurasia Group. A good friend of this show.

Very much appreciate you and your analysis is always so good for us. Lebanon remains a sticking point as far as these talks are concerned and as

far as this ceasefire is concerned.

I just wonder, how hard do you believe Iran is going to push on this?

FIRAS MAKSAD, MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA MANAGING DIRECTOR, EURASIA GROUP: Becky, it's good to be back on the show.

This is a crucial test for the Iranians. First, Hezbollah is the primary ally outside Iran's borders. It came to the defense and assistance of Iran

in its war against America and Israel. This was a decision that was deeply unpopular.

[10:35:00]

Not only throughout Lebanon but also in Hezbollah's own support base in Lebanon's Shia community.

And so for Iran to leave Hezbollah hanging as it then negotiates a separate ceasefire itself with America, and by extension by Israel, is a very bad

look for the Iranians, one that risks their continued domination in Lebanon and the future of its ally there, Hezbollah.

It's also a test that the Israelis are administrating to Iran, together with the Americans, I should say. If in fact, the Iranians accept to allow

this to continue and to proceed with negotiations and talks in Islamabad with the United States, that is a signal of Iranian weakness.

If Iran is, in fact, still very powerful, able to fire ballistic missiles and drones, it would not have to forgo the Lebanon card and its

relationship with Hezbollah as a result of that Israeli challenge.

So for all those reasons, Lebanon and the Lebanese front is emerging as a key litmus test and a key issue in the future the ceasefire between the

U.S. and Iran.

ANDERSON: Yes. that's an absolutely crucial to point out. Look, Israel has said it still has objectives to meet, Benjamin Netanyahu signaling that

strikes could continue.

Is Israel the wild card here at this point?

How much confidence is there that Donald Trump can restrain Benjamin Netanyahu?

And I guess I'm talking about certainly on the Lebanon front but then on the wider Iran front as well.

MAKSAD: You know, Bibi Netanyahu is many things but he's not stupid. And he understands that president Trump has done more for him and for Israel

than any other American president in recent history.

I do believe that when president Trump piles the pressure on Bibi to stop, Bibi will stop. But that's simply not the case at this point. When it comes

to Lebanon, in fact, I would say that the American administration has been guilty of neglecting Lebanon.

There is no point person in Washington, D.C., that's been handling the Lebanon file. At some point, this was a file that was given to Morgan

Ortega as a senior American official, then to Tom Barak and now there is no senior American official following the Lebanon card and the Lebanon angle

for this.

So and what we've seen is that JD Vance has been forced to comment on this in the past 24 hours. First, there was the assertion that Lebanon was, in

fact, not part of the ceasefire, which the Pakistani interlocutors and mediators dispute.

But then that America would apply some pressure on Israel to rein in, not end but rein in some of its activities in Lebanon. And that's simply not

playing out on the ground with, today, massive evacuation orders from large swaths of Beirut's southern suburbs.

So I don't believe that the U.S. at this point is applying pressure to bring things to a close. But should it choose to, I do think that the U.S.

can bring Israel to stop its activities in Lebanon.

ANDERSON: I want to ask you, we know that the Lebanese president has offered to go into talks with Israel. We've seen nothing further.

What are the chances of separate Israel-Lebanon talks for a ceasefire in the first instance and a further solution, a peaceful solution?

MAKSAD: Becky, you always ask the right questions. And that's exactly where I want to go because I started out by pointing to that litmus test.

Right now that is being administered by Israel on Iran and that attempt to take or to create a split between the Lebanon card and Iran, its Iran's

domination of Lebanon.

There's certainly a point of view that argues that any ceasefire in Lebanon should not be the result of an Israeli-Iranian understanding or an

American-Iranian understanding that there's an interest in empowering the actual Lebanese government and the Lebanese state.

For the first time you do have a Lebanese government that is willing to have direct negotiations with Israel, including over a ceasefire, including

a decision by that Lebanese government to dismantle Hezbollah's military and security infrastructure, not because it's an Israeli interest.

But it's because the majority of the Lebanese people have had enough, being dragged into one war after another on behalf of Iran and other regional

interests.

So it stands to be argued that that offer by the Lebanese president, by the Lebanese prime minister, to have those discussions is probably the best way

forward, longer term, to ensure peace on that border between Lebanon and Israel.

[10:40:04]

ANDERSON: Before I let you go, I want to get back to the talks this weekend, which are scheduled Saturday between the U.S. and Iran. There is

this ceasefire in place, albeit fragile, because of what we're seeing going on in Lebanon, the UAE, where I am and you know this country very well,

says it is, and I quote here.

"Seeking further clarification on this ceasefire with Iran, stopping short of welcoming the pause."

And Anwar Gargash, who is the UAE diplomatic advisor to the president here, posting on X, quote, "The era of courtesies has passed and frankness has

become a necessity. Our collective stance must be firm and clear toward the features of the upcoming phase in a way that enhances stability and

security in the region."

You and I are close watchers of what goes on in the Gulf. What he says will not surprise you, I'm sure. It doesn't surprise me. But it's important that

the wider audience understands what you make of that message.

MAKSAD: Becky, I recall being on your show a couple of months ago and making the argument of two emerging coalitions in the region, one in which

Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Turkiye, Egypt and others loom large, another under the rubric of the Abraham Accords, which obviously the UAE is part of.

I think it's very clear that the ceasefire, as it's been negotiated right now, is very much coming through those -- that bloc of countries, Pakistan,

the relationship with Saudi Arabia, the meeting of the Quad, the foreign ministers last week in Islamabad, that those countries increasingly favor a

ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

The UAE, in a much more skeptical place and I had off-record conversations just yesterday with a senior UAE official. The UAE position is, you know,

if Donald Trump wants to attempt to get to a deal with the Iranians through talks over a two-week period, a ceasefire, go right ahead.

But just as long as we're very clear what the objectives are, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz no longer contested and controlled by the Iranians,

the highly enriched uranium, the limitations on Iran's ballistic missiles.

And if you think that Iran has been weakened to an extent, that it is now ready to accept these conditions, let's go and try. But a great deal of

skepticism about the ceasefire and what it could lead to from the Emiratis compared to others in the region.

ANDERSON: Yes, spot on. Thank you. It's always good to have you, Faraz. Very much appreciate it.

And just to close that out, I mean, the Emiratis -- very specifically Dr. Sultan al Jaber, who is the head of the national oil company here. and

clearly, those assets, some of those assets have been impacted as a result of debris from strikes, is calling the chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz

economic terrorism.

And that is a position that the UAE is absolutely steadfast on when it comes to Iran's behavior at this point.

Still to come, U.S. strikes on Iran have stopped for now.

But have the actions of its military and its president violated international law?

Going to get a perspective from a war crimes expert up next.

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ANDERSON: A temporary ceasefire may have been reached between the U.S. and Iran. But since the first attacks in late February, more than 2,000 people

have been killed, according to the Iranian Red Crescent.

Missiles have fallen on civilian infrastructure, among other targets. Those strikes and the U.S. president's blood curdling threats do raise questions

over the legality of this war.

My next guest, who was the U.S. ambassador at large for war crimes issues, calls the U.S. a rogue state on the world stage. He also says president

Trump's threat to wipe out Iranian civilization, if carried out, would undoubtedly amount to war crimes.

Stephen Rapp joins me now live from Washington.

Look, let's just read these words.

Just before the ceasefire was announced, quote, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen,"

Trump posted. "But it probably will."

Look, it didn't happen. And there will be those who say that this is just Donald Trump negotiating, However appalling you think those words are.

But I very specifically want to ask you, how does that kind of statement play into a war crimes investigation?

STEPHEN RAPP, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR AT LARGE FOR WAR CRIMES ISSUES: Well, it's important to note that the threat itself can be a crime under the

Geneva conventions.

To threaten to destroy a population is a crime in and of itself. To threaten to grant no quarter, something that secretary Hegseth said, is

something that U.S. banned in the Civil War in 1863 and has been part of international law in every military manual since.

So these mere threats are crimes in and of themselves. And, you know, I hate to go there but you know, when you start talking about destroying a

country, its civilization, it dying. you're actually walking into language that's like incitement to genocide that I prosecuted at the Rwanda

tribunal.

And the law doesn't require you actually do it. It only requires that you make those statements into an atmosphere where there's the possibility that

they'll be carried out.

We don't want -- the United States doesn't -- this is not America that's been a leader in developing these rules for 160 years. These rules benefit

us. They protect our own service members.

And they also allow us to build support in civilian populations. And everything we've done in this conflict has been to alienate the Iranian

people and those opposed to its government that we were purportedly supporting.

ANDERSON: Does the fact that -- and Donald Trump is pointing this out again and again -- for 47 years, Tehran has encouraged Iranians to chant,

"Death to America, death to Israel" -- provide any defense?

RAPP: No. International law applies to both sides. Keep in mind, the Iranians have committed horrendous violations of international law. They've

committed crimes against humanity, executing 30,000 of their own people in one year; 2,000 executions last year, killing thousands of students in the

streets in January.

These are horrendous crimes and their attacks on oil installations in the Gulf where you are, those are crimes because those -- that oil isn't being

used to arm the Americans or the Israelis. So they're committing horrible crimes. But it applies to both sides.

And it doesn't make any difference who started it, though there is an issue about whether we legally could have started this conflict. But once you're

in a conflict, it applies to both sides. And that benefits both sides and protects people that aren't engaged in the combat.

ANDERSON: And let's talk about these attacks then, because on the U.S., both on the U.S. and Iranian sides, these strikes went beyond military

targets. As you rightly point out, these reckless and unprovoked attacks on civilian infrastructure here in the Gulf by the Iranians.

But the U.S. attacks, including schools, universities and power grids, U.S.-Israel attacks.

[10:50:06]

Could those actions constitute war crimes?

RAPP: Yes, they very much could. Keep in mind that then we're involved in this issue of targeting. And one should always distinguish between civilian

and military targets and hit only the military ones.

There are, of course, situations where there are human shields. There are situations where civilian and military targets are mixed. And then you have

to exercise every precaution.

And then if you are in a situation where there could be civilian loss of life, the military advantage must clearly outweigh the damage to the

civilians or to that infrastructure. The U.S. has been building these rules.

And last administration, there was even a group in the Pentagon that was working on civilian harm mitigation. All of that's been eliminated by

secretary Hegseth in this desire to deal only with lethality.

But lethality means being careless about these situations, crossing into an area where attacks could be viewed as indiscriminate, recklessly attacking

an area where there are military targets but also any contemporary intelligence would show that there was also nearby a school and hitting

that school and killing hundreds of students and teachers.

Obviously, you know, these are challenging situations. In the fog of war it's difficult to sometimes prove what was being shot at.

But just the ways in which the administration is speaking, the kind of language used by the president and by the secretary makes it easier for a

war crimes prosecutor to succeed, because it shows this carelessness. It shows this intent to punish this country and punish, in fact, these people,

because of the government they have.

And that kind of thing would open a possibility for U.S. servicemen and others to be prosecuted.

ANDERSON: It's good to have you. It is 10:51 in Washington, 6:51 here. We will be right back.

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ANDERSON: Voters in Hungary, in Europe will head to the polls on Sunday for a parliamentary election that will determine the country's next leader.

Right wing prime minister Viktor Orban is hoping to extend what has been this 16-year grip on power. CNN's Melissa Bell is in Hungary. She joins us

live. JD Vance was there.

How was his trip received?

MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, amongst Orban's supporters very favorably. They were very glad to see not just JD

Vance turn up this week, because, beyond the vice president's visit, we had just a couple of weeks ago, back in February, a few weeks ago, Marco Rubio,

the secretary of state's visit.

So you've had this series of senior mega figures turn up to back Viktor Orban, which is a measure both, Becky, of how strongly MAGA feels about

Viktor Orban but how threatened Viktor Orban is in this particular poll, the toughest challenge in 16 years.

And this is a country, really, in which Viktor Orban leaves no one indifferent. So what you see is on both sides a very strongly determined

electorate. And we expect a pretty, pretty big turnout.

[10:55:00]

Those who back Viktor Orban and how he's changed Hungary so profoundly over the course of the last 16 years happy to see MAGA turn out for their

candidate and determined to see him win again.

But on the other side, you have this very strong campaign that's been run by Peter Magyar, who, despite all of the kind of changes, constitutional

changes have been made here in Hungary to favor Fidesz has managed to get his Tisza party looking very strong in the polls.

Take this town where I am, which is to the southwest of Budapest and one of those provincial towns in which Fidesz had traditionally done very well, a

stronghold, a bastion. It is in Budapest, where they'd been weaker.

Even in towns like this, what you're seeing is Tisza support very, very strong indeed. And it is one of those battlegrounds that could actually

fall now to the opposition. So all eyes now on what happens Sunday.

I was mentioning a moment ago that those who believe Viktor Orban needs to stay in power have believed very strongly about that and the MAGA visits.

On the other hand, we've been speaking to people who feel very strongly that it was inappropriate that there should be American officials here so

close to an election and feel so very strongly.

That, despite everything and because he's campaigned on bread and butter issues, the cost of living, the fact that the economy is stagnating, things

that are close to the heart of Hungarians, the supporters of Peter Magyar are hopeful that his time may be here on Sunday. We should find out late

Sunday night. Becky.

ANDERSON: Yes, good to have you there. Thank you so much.

Melissa Bell for you. That is it from me. I'm Becky Anderson. That is CONNECT THE WORLD. Stay with CNN. My colleagues with "ONE WORLD" up next.

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