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Connect the World

Strait of Hormuz Virtually Deserted for Third Day; Iran Vows Retaliation Over Ship Seizure Amid Doubts About Talks; Looking at Gullf States' Reactions to Uncertain Peace Process; Isreal Issues Warning to Residents of Southern Lebanon; Lebanon Ceasefire Mostly Holding in Israel- Hezbollah Conflict. Aired 9-10a ET

Aired April 20, 2026 - 09:00   ET

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

[09:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well President Trump says the U.S. is sending a delegation to Pakistan as Marines seize an Iran flagged

cargo ship. Will Iran even show up in Islamabad? It's 09:00 a.m. in Washington, 05:00 p.m. in Abu Dhabi.

I'm Becky Anderson from our Middle East programming headquarters. You're watching "Connect the World". And the stock market in New York opens in

about 30 minutes from now. We are according to the futures markets, looking at a lower open as tensions, of course, persist between the U.S. and Iran.

More on that bottom of the hour for you. Well, uncertainty, the prevailing mood as the world awaits a possible second round of talks between the

United States and Iran. The U.S. sending a delegation, including Vice President JD Vance, back to Pakistan, but Iran's Foreign Ministry throwing

cold water on the idea of any talks right now. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ESMAEIL BAQAEI, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON: As of now, as I'm speaking to you, we have no plan for the next round of negotiations. No

decision has been taken in this regard.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, Iran also vowing retaliation for the U.S. seizure of an Iranian flagged cargo ship that ignored repeated warnings to turn around as

it headed towards a blockaded Iranian port. All this as the Strait of Hormuz remains essentially deserted for a third consecutive day with only

three vessels seen passing through, two of them empty.

Nic Robertson is in Islamabad, where he says there is still hope for more U.S.-Iran talks, but no clear path forward, at least not for now. Have a

listen.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: There is a huge trust deficit on the Iranian side of the Americans, they're saying, even if we

come what happens, we make a deal, and then does that get broken? There's also the anger at the targeting of their tanker overnight.

They're accusing the United States of landing terrorists, not Marines, but terrorists on board the tanker. So, there's a huge amount of anger about

that. There's a backlash that says, you know, Iranian military could take a military response, but I think that's just pause that, because escalation,

real escalation, would be much bigger than what we're witnessing so far.

So that if you want to have a semi positive box, put that in the semi positive box.

ANDERSON: Well, CNN's Senior White House Reporter Kevin Liptak, connecting us from the White House. You just heard the framing there by Nic. Kevin,

what are you learning there about the prospect, or not, for more talks?

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, when you talk to officials here, they say that these discussions are still on track to

occur, although President Trump, just yesterday said that they would happen this evening in Pakistan, and now it's just past six in Islamabad.

And to our knowledge, no American officials have even left the United States yet to attend these negotiations. So, when they occur still seems

like an open question, and you are hearing all sorts of contradictory messages from the Americans and from the Iranians about the prospect of

these talks occurring.

You know, over the weekend, President Trump was very active on social media, on Truth Social he was also calling a number of reporters to

describe what he says are the parameters for these talks that differs from the Iranian point of view on how much of these very sticky issues are

actually settled before they get down to the negotiating table.

It was also unclear for several hours yesterday who would actually be attending these talks. President Trump said that it would not be the Vice

President JD Vance, he said that he would not be going for security issues. The White House then came and said that the vice president would, in fact,

be resuming the role that he played last weekend in leading these discussions, in addition to Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

And so, a lot of uncertainty at the moment about where and when these negotiations will actually resume. We also don't have a good understanding

of how the issues that had caused the talks to fall apart during the first round, how those have been resolved. There's the major question of Iran's

nuclear enrichment.

[09:05:00]

We understand that the U.S. had proposed a suspension for 20 years on nuclear enrichment, Iran came back and proposed a much shorter timeline. We

don't understand at this point how that particular issue has been resolved, nor do we understand how and whether even President Trump plans to lift

sanctions on Iran or unfreeze some of its assets, which had been a major condition for the Iranians as they assess and look to agree to any deal,

Becky.

ANDERSON: The U.S.-Iran ceasefire is due to finish about 36 hours from now. Briefly, Kevin, what are you hearing at this point?

LIPTAK: Well, President Trump himself is warning that if the ceasefire expires without a deal, that he is going to attack Iranian civilian

infrastructure, bridges, power plants, all of the sites that he has warned previously would be in his targets if the Iranians don't agree to a deal,

the question now is whether he will actually make good on that promise in a way he hasn't previously.

It's caused all kinds of concerns that this could be a violation of the Geneva Conventions of international law. The president had seemed, I think,

unwilling in the past, to follow through on these warnings. The big question now is whether he will actually do it, but that ceasefire clock

very much ticking.

ANDERSON: Yeah, absolutely. All right, Kevin, thank you very much indeed for that. Well, let's bring up my next guest. It is Hasan Alhasan, he's a

Senior Fellow for Middle East Policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, joins me from Bahrain. You and I have been talking

regularly over this past, what, eight weeks now.

And amid all of this uncertainty as we understand it more U.S. troops are on their way to the Middle East. I just want to concentrate for a moment on

where the Gulf stands, Hasan, you've had some really good insight over the past couple of months of this war.

The UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation was on the U.S. network ABC on Sunday asked about Trump's threat to knock out every single

power plant and every single bridge. This was Reem Al Hashimy response. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REEM AL HASHIMY, UAE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: We believe that maximum pressure is what actually takes you forward dealing

with the Revolutionary Guard, whether it's military, whether it's economic pressure, which is why that piece is going to be critical.

Now that they've weaponized the straits, the tolling of vessels, the fact that they are able to have another amplified revenue source, those are all

things that need to be tackled. Ultimately, we don't want to hurt the Iranian people. That's very important to mention.

But at the same time, it's the Revolutionary Guard that have taken forward a military stance and a posture, not against the U.S. and Israel alone, but

against the very neighborhood that they operate in through the Gulf states.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: From the perspective where you are in Bahrain today and listening to Reem Al Hashimy there, what do you believe Gulf players expect to happen

next? And what message, if any, are countries, individually or as a collective at this point sending to Washington right now?

HASAN ALHASAN, SENIOR FELLOW FOR MIDDLE EAST POLICY AT IISS: I think, Becky, the Gulf states are, in fact, deeply divided about what they want to

see happen next. The UAE has been very consistent from the early days of the war, having probably been on the receiving end of the overwhelming

majority of Iranian attacks during this conflict.

That they would like to see this war through, that they would like to see Iran thoroughly defanged, that all of Iran's power projection capabilities,

including its nuclear program, its ballistic missiles, its cruise missiles, its UAVs, its regional armed militia network is all essentially addressed.

And to such an extent that Iran is no longer able to threaten its neighbors and to threaten the global economy. This is a position that behind probably

also is rather aligned with behind was trying to push through a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing the use of force, to force Iran to

essentially end its threats to shipping industry to promotes.

But this is not necessarily a position that the rest of the Gulf states necessarily agree with. Oman and Qatar have been more vocal about the need

to ensure an immediate de-escalation and to bring about a ceasefire and an end to this conflict. And there's been quite a bit of ambivalence from the

Saudis and Qatar and Kuwaitis, and we were not exactly sure where they stand.

And so, in reality, I think the different Gulf States want different things. There are those like the -- and Bahrain that want to see Iran

thoroughly defined, and there are others that want to see an immediate de- escalation, given the amount of damage that their economies have already suffered as a result of the -- tax on them, but also as a result of the

disruption industry.

ANDERSON: I think, the collective message, and you're absolutely right to suggest, that there is a, you know, a difference across these Gulf states

as to how to get to this sort of you know, the end deal as it were, or what that deal might look like.

[09:10:00]

What are the collective messages, though, that Iran simply cannot be a threat going forward, 2800 missiles and drones have been fired, for

example, at the UAE. That's more than any other country in that same interview, Reem Al Hashimy said, and this is a consistent message, as I'm

saying here, that a deal is inevitable, but it cannot be a bad deal that doesn't address the root cause issues like Iran's proxies and its ballistic

missile program.

I do wonder how worried Gulf players are, that we are heading towards a bad deal because of President Trump's apparent eagerness to get something

across the line and to move on as it were.

ALHASAN: I agree the Gulf states collectively probably do more certainly, in fact, do want to see an end to Iranian attacks, for sure. The question

is, I think they differ massively on how best to get there. There are those who believe that this is best achieved by defanging Iran.

And there are others who believe that the diplomatic resolution that takes into account Iran's concerns would be a more advisable means of achieving

that goal, the goal of bringing those attacks to an end. Now I also agree that a bad deal, a bad outcome of these negotiations, is certainly

something that would be of great concern to the Gulf states.

I think this concern was very much amplified at the beginning of the announcement of the ceasefire, when it seemed as though President Trump was

acknowledging Iran's maximalist 10-point demands involving the departure of U.S. forces, comprehensive sanctions relief on Iran, no cap, essentially,

on its ballistic missiles program and so on and so forth.

And essentially, there seemed to be an initial recognition by Trump and an initial acknowledgement of Iranian demands, including, I mean, he was

floating the idea of a joint U.S. and Iranian management, toll collection at the Strait of Hormuz. So, I think there was clearly a very amplified

concern among the Gulf states that, in given his eagerness to find an exit ramp.

That President Trump would concede quite a lot to Iran in exchange for nuclear concessions that were never really at the top of the Gulf state's

concerns. I think these concerns may have somewhat decreased over the past few days, especially as President Trump engaged in the naval blockade on

Iranian ports.

I think it's become increasingly clear that he may not be willing to concede to Iran as much as he may have indicated at the beginning. So, we

could be slightly edging away from that worst case scenario where, essentially, President Trump concedes a lot to Iran in exchange for a few

nuclear assurances and then walks away from the region and leaves it to its own devices.

Now that's not to say that the Gulf states aren't concerned about an escalation scenario that could materialize if these talks collapse, if the

ceasefire negotiations essentially fail, then obviously they would then have to worry about the other scenario, which is the scenario of

escalation, and what that would mean for their own security, given Iran's tendency during this war to retaliate against their civilian -- military.

ANDERSON: Yeah. Well, "No More Mr. Nice Guy", one of Donald Trump's posts this weekend. He also posted, "I Did It My Way" by Frank Sinatra, of

course. So read into that. What you will. Hasan, it's always good to have you. Thank you very much indeed for joining us.

And we are keeping a close eye on the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, which is meant to be halting fighting between Israel and the Iran backed

Hezbollah based in Lebanon, of course. Overnight, Israel's military says it struck a Hezbollah rocket launcher in Southern Lebanon that was ready to

fire, they say, despite the temporary truce to prevent a direct threat to communities in Northern Israel.

The IDF also warning residents who evacuated from dozens of villages in Southern Lebanon not to return home and to avoid the Litani River due to

security risks. I want to get you more on this. Let's get you to Tel Aviv, where CNN's Oren Liebermann is standing by. Oren, just provide us the

context of what we have heard from the IDF with regard Southern Lebanon over the weekend.

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Becky, the Israeli military has made clear that they view Southern Lebanon, the territory there they

occupy, that is some 10 kilometers north of the Israel-Lebanon border, as a closed military zone, and they have warned Lebanese residents, more than a

million, of whom are displaced, not to try to return to Southern Lebanon.

[09:15:00]

There are 55 Lebanese towns and villages within that occupied territory that Israel holds at this point. And now the key question is, where does

this go from here? We learned just a moment ago from an Israeli official that the second round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon are

expected to take place later this week, on Thursday.

Now that would be the ambassadors to the U.S. of Israel and Lebanon again, according to an Israeli official just moments ago, they are expected to

meet once expected to meet once again for the second round of talks in Washington, D.C. Now, President Donald Trump had tried to push forward a

direct meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

The date of that was unclear, and that is not part of these talks that we expect on Thursday. So, we are waiting for more information about that as

well, but a crucial next step here, as the U.S. and the White House try to push forward not only a more permanent ceasefire agreement, but a broader

peace agreement, the next stage of those talks, round two, scheduled for later this week, on Thursday, Becky.

ANDERSON: Right, Oren, before I let you go while this ceasefire continues, fragile as it is, Israel's military says it is investigating a photograph

showing one of its soldiers damaging a statue of Christ in Southern Lebanon. Can you just get us up to speed on this?

LIEBERMANN: Of course, this photo first emerged on Sunday afternoon. It is from Southern Lebanon, an area occupied by Israel in the town of Debel, a

predominantly Christian town within the area Israel occupies in Southern Lebanon. And this photo shows an Israeli soldier near a crucified Jesus

Christ.

The figure of Christ has been removed or damaged from some way. It is only held to the cross by its feet. And the photo itself shows the Israeli

soldier holding what appears to be a hammer or an ax, an ax, and the damaged figure of Christ. The deputy head of the municipality gave a

statement to CNN, in which he said, we certainly condemn this shameful act because it offends our religious feeling and is an attack on our sacred

beliefs.

The Israeli military said they view this with great severity and that its wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops. As you pointed

out, the Israeli military has opened an investigation, and they say there will be appropriate measures once that investigation concludes its

findings.

That's the latest we have from the military. At this point, Israel's Foreign Minister and prime minister have condemned the photo, but it's

unclear if the Israeli military has identified the soldier or soldiers behind the incident at this point, as that investigation is ongoing.

ANDERSON: Good to have you, Oren, thank you. Well after the break, we're going to go to Shreveport in Louisiana, where we now know a father killed

seven of his own children in the deadliest U.S. mass shooting in more than two years. And the British Prime Minister facing a political crisis in the

fallout from the Epstein files more from London as he prepares to face lawmakers.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:20:00]

ANDERSON: Welcome back. On a community in Shreveport in Louisiana, in the States, is in mourning after eight children were killed in what is the

deadliest U.S. mass shooting since 2024. The three boys and five girls were aged between 3 and 11. Now this shooting happened early on Sunday, and

police have identified the gunman as Shamar Elkins.

He was the father of seven of the children killed. Authorities say the government also shot and critically wounded two women. One of them is wife.

Well, CNN's Isabel Rosales has been following what is the very latest from Shreveport, Louisiana. This is about is a terrible tragedy, obviously, for

those who've lost their lives and the families and the friends around. What more do we know about what unfolded?

ISABEL ROSALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky, it is an awful crime that has left this community of Shreveport disgusted, shaken, struggling to

understand how something like this could happen in the first place. Now, this mass shooting spanned across three different homes, including this

gray home right behind me.

This is the home where those eight children were shot and killed, seven of them siblings, shot and killed by their own father. The eighth child was a

cousin to them. As the sun has come up, I've seen parents lovingly ushering their children out the door with backpacks. Are rushing to get to school.

These children had their lives stolen from them. They will never again get the opportunity to see their classmates get an education, nothing.

Shreveport police say that Shamar Elkins first began his deadly shooting by targeting his wife and the mother of his children. Then he went to this

home right here, where he shot the children, and there was a third home involved.

He also car jacked a driver and led police on a chase across a neighboring parish, where ultimately police officers shot and killed him. Now those

eight children the ages again that you mentioned, 3 years old to 11 years old, all of them siblings, except for one, two adult women, including the

gunman's wife, have been critically wounded.

They're fighting for their lives in the hospital. One teen was also injured. I want you to listen now to what authorities had to say about this

horrific crime.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TABATHA H. TAYLOR, SHREVEPORT CITY COUNCIL: I'm asking you to please utilize every resource that the sheriff has brought forth now, when you

know that these situations occur, we cannot be and make this a joke. This is not a freaking joke. This is real, and this is the result when someone

snaps.

So, I'm going to ask the community, along with prayer, with every mental health consultant counselor that is out here, this family and this

community need you. I need you. Because how do we get through this?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSALES: Yeah, you can hear that raw emotion from the council woman breaking down in tears and anger, frankly at what has happened here to her

community. Becky, there was also a teenager that was harmed here. Injured a 13-year-old that ran from his home, and from the home, you can see a school

bus, by the way, right here, picking up those kids that I was mentioning that's really hard to see in the back drop of what we know happen in this

home right now.

But that 13-year-old ran away from the home, attempting to flee with his life, jump from a roof and ended up breaking a couple of bones. But we're

told by the police department that teenager is expected to survive and be OK, Becky.

ANDERSON: Isabel, thank you. Isabel Rosales, on the story. We're going to be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:25:00]

ANDERSON: Well, welcome back. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. Time here is just before half past five in the afternoon, it is just before half past

nine in New York. These are your headlines. And heavy security in Pakistan's capital, but much uncertainty over the prospects of a second

round of peace talks there between the U.S. and Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he is sending his top negotiators to Islamabad. Iran says it has no plans to attend the talks after the U.S.

seized an Iranian flag ship heading towards a blockaded Iranian port. Well, Tehran is also threatening to retaliate over the seizure of that ship.

State media reporting that the Iranian military will take action after the safety of the people on board is insured. Experts say what happens next to

this captured vessel and its crew will depend on what it was carrying. These pictures coming to us from CENTCOM.

Israel's military says it is investigating after a photo shared on social media appeared to show an Israeli soldier using a hammer or an ax to hit

the head of a step statue of the crucified Jesus Christ. Picture was taken in the predominantly Christian town of Debel in Lebanon.

Israel's Foreign Minister called the incident, quote, grave and disgraceful. Well oil prices are higher today, hopes for a peace deal, of

course, between Washington and Tehran took a knock after the U.S. Navy seized an Iranian cargo ship Sunday, and the Iranians now say they have no

plans to attend talks.

Let's see. The oil market, though, has been on a pretty wild ride, of course, since Friday when Iran said it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran then did a U-turn over the weekend, pretty much closing, effectively closing, the crucial shipping lane, saying that was because the U.S. hadn't

lifted its blockade of Iranian ports back and forth.

Meantime, ship tracking information shows virtually no traffic in that incredibly important waterway, the Strait of Hormuz for a third consecutive

day. Rana Foroohar is CNN's Global Economic Analyst, the author of "Makers and Takers". She's also a Global Business Columnist and Associate Editor at

the Financial Times.

I do want to talk about the book at some point. You and I speak regularly, and we introduce you by suggesting the author of that book, and I'm really

interested in having that discussion at some point. Meantime, today, supply chain disruption expected to push prices related to oil, of course,

shipping chemicals, all of these commodities and products much higher.

At this point, what are we looking at in terms of the prospect for the global economy?

RANA FOROOHAR, CNN GLOBAL ECONOMIC ANALYST: Right, Becky, well, you know, a few things to say there you mentioned supply chains. And I think it's

really important, because no matter what happens tomorrow, in the next few days, even in the next few weeks, in the Strait of Hormuz, with the U.S.

and Iran, the supply chain issues are taking place now.

You know, we are going to start seeing shortages of jet fuel in next few weeks. The Chinese supply chains are already under pressure.

[09:30:00]

You know, this isn't just about oil or even petroleum products. It's about things like helium, which are used to make all of the world's

semiconductors. About 80 to 90 percent of that particular chemical comes from the Gulf. So, these impacts are going to last no matter what happens.

And that's the way of supply chain disruption. They take months, even years, to resolve. You know, it took years to resolve the COVID supply

chain shortages. We're still in some cases, having issues with those. So, you know, I think that we're looking at slower growth no matter what, you

saw the IMF come out last week actually, and give not just a baseline projection, but two more extreme projections.

One of which put growth, global growth, down to 2 percent about a percentage point lower than it than it would be ordinarily, and inflation

triple what it would be ordinarily. So, you know, it's a worrisome moment.

ANDERSON: Yeah. Well, Wall Street indicating a weaker open. We've just heard the bell. It is on Main Street that President Trump will be focused

at some point I guess, at first, he has tried to convince Americans and the world that gas prices wouldn't go higher they have now, he is now saying,

to a degree, the ends justify the means. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you worried about gas prices right now?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: No, no. This is a short excursion into something that should have been done for 47 years.

It doesn't really affect us. We have so much oil. We have tremendous oil and gas, much more than we need.

MARIA BARTIROMO, FOX BUSINESS NETWORK ANCHOR: Do you believe the price of oil and gas will be lower before the midterm elections?

TRUMP: I hope so. I mean, I think so it could be, it could be or the same, or maybe a little bit higher, but it should be around the same. I think

this won't be that much longer.

Well, they're not very high. If you look at what they were supposed to be in order to get rid of a nuclear weapon, with the danger that entails.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: As I listen to him, I have got Frank Sinatra, I did it my way, sort of ringing through my mind. That is because, of course, he posted

Frank Sinatra singing, "I Did It My Way" over the weekend, amongst other things, "No More Mr. Nice Guy" was, I think, one of the posts this weekend.

It's been quite the ride for his Truth Social platform and his post. It's been a wild old ride for the oil markets. And indeed, of course, for gas

prices at the pump in the U.S., for jet fuel, which will be a huge problem in Europe in just the next few weeks.

FOROOHAR: Yeah.

ANDERSON: Do you believe Donald Trump's messaging to the U.S. public will ultimately be effective?

FOROOHAR: Absolutely not. I mean, if you think about what do we see every day, the one price that Americans everywhere see every day is the gas

price. It's all around us. You know, affordability is one of the things that brought Trump into the presidency for a second term affordability is

not working out for him.

You know, we have started a war of choice with a regime that, you know, it's not like being in the -- on the other side of necessarily, someone

that wants to make a deal. I mean, the Iranian regime is arguably becoming more hard line as a result of the war, and I just don't see this being a

simple solution.

I think it's going to go on for weeks, months, maybe even years. I think overall, the collateral damage, not just to oil infrastructure, but to the

Gulf, to the Saudis as investors, you know that's going to have a big hit to the American economy as well. These are countries that were pouring a

lot of foreign capital, foreign cap backs into the American economy.

They're now being focused on, you know, rebuilding their own oil infrastructure. So, I just -- it's very, very hard for me at this moment to

see the upside of this war. Now, if there had been a really solid plan where you had a lot of buy in for yes, we are going to be able to oust this

regime.

Yes, there is a public uprising that will occur. There are leaders within the country that could take over maybe. I mean, that's what advisors were

telling him.

ANDERSON: Yeah.

FOROOHAR: But the way that it's been left now, it's almost as if Iran has discovered something more valuable, a nuclear weapon, which is that they

can control the strait and they can hold it for a very long time.

ANDERSON: U.S. Treasury Secretary has no idea where this is heading. This is what he had to say about gas prices.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT BESSENT, U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY: I'm optimistic that during the summer we will see gas with a three in front of it, sooner rather than

later. So, I've been meeting with a lot of my middle eastern counterparts, the finance ministers and they all say that once the straits are open, they

can start pumping again within one week.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Not sure how happy the summer holidays are going to be for many people on Main Street.

[09:35:00]

We have just heard from the Chinese President Xi Jinping, reportedly on a call with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia saying, quote, the Strait of

Hormuz should remain open to normal navigation, which serves the shared interests of countries in the region and the wider international community.

He said that in a call, as I say, with the Saudi Crown Prince. Just talk to me about China's sort of positioning its role as we understand it, you

know, in getting this first set of talks across the line in Islamabad, and where you see China standing at this point?

FOROOHAR: Yeah, it's a really fascinating moment for China, actually, you know what's happening in Iran, a lot of it is really U.S. v China. It's

about a great power conflict that's going to play out in multiple regions in the Middle East, you know, in the Arctic, in the Taiwan Straits.

It's been interesting to me that with as many own goals as Donald Trump has made, starting with Liberation Day, that the Chinese haven't been more

aggressive about coming in and playing a role as a global cop, as a global police keeper, as a protector of the global commons.

That's been a mistake that they've made. If they are now going to rectify that, if they are going to somehow play that role, and not just in their

own interest, but convince other countries, and in particular, convince Europeans that they're actually doing something in the global interest to

help the global commons.

That's a big step. That's a big step for China. I'm not convinced that we're there yet, to be honest. You know, China is the biggest importer, has

been the biggest importer of Iranian oil. So, they have a big, big interest in keeping the strait open whether they're going to do that in the interest

of the global public, or whether there's going to be some sort of more China centric deal. That's a wait and see.

ANDERSON: Yeah.

FOROOHAR: But if this somehow is a pivot on the foreign policy, end of things from China, that's a big deal.

ANDERSON: I do wonder whether China isn't actually working very effectively behind the scenes, we saw UAE sent a huge delegation last week, and it's,

sort of 28 points, sort of -- as the sort of debrief on that deepening its relationship with China. We've seen this call with the Crown Prince of

Saudi Arabia today.

So, I agree with you. I think it's fascinating that we haven't necessarily seen sort of China out loud as much as we might have seen. I just wonder,

you know, whether that is very intentional at this point, and perhaps we will begin to see the fruits of its hard work behind the scenes in the days

and weeks to come.

Always good to have you, Rana. Thank you very much indeed for joining us. Well, the British Prime Minister preparing to address Parliament about the

growing scandal over the appointment of an ambassador with links to Jeffrey Epstein, Peter Mandelson, of course, the former British envoy to the United

States had failed security vetting, yet the Foreign Office reportedly overruled that to ensure his appointment as the U.S. Ambassador, sorry, the

UK Ambassador to the U.S.

Keir Starmer insists he was unaware of the vetting results. Downing Street has removed the foreign office's top civil servant. Much more on this when

we hear from Starmer, who speaks to Parliament next hour on this show. Well, a title showdown for the ages in the Premier League.

Going to tell you if Manchester City or Arsenal has the upper hand after what was an epic meeting on Sunday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:40:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi everybody. Look at that. Wow. Hi everybody --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: A homeowner in California got quite the surprise and 13 unexpected visitors, when a hot air balloon, you see that right there,

landed right in his backyard -- tells CNN he only found out about it when someone rang his doorbell telling we'd seen the balloon land.

Well, apparently, the pilot said the winds had pretty much died down, forcing the balloon to make what was an emergency descent. Look the crew

eventually flew it back over the house and onto the street where a truck had arrived to take the big beast of a balloon away.

Well just over a month to go until the English Premier League season is wrapped up. And if Sunday's title showdown is anything to go by, we are in

for a treat. Man City, just edging arsenal to set up a thrilling sprint to the finish. I have to say, I think it's Man City's to lose at this point,

but they are in second place as far as the points are concerned.

I watched the game. I'm not an Arsenal fan, so I was pushing for Man City all the way I got the result I wanted. What did you think, Coy?

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: I think it was awesome when you said thrilling and early Holland with his flowing locks, popped up,

just as you said that we are in for one of the most dramatic title races runs finishes in quite some time.

It looked like Arsenal a couple weeks ago. We're going to end their 20-year drought. But then man, city comes to Becky's joy. They totally flip this

all -- Pep Guardiola know and city know are winning. They won six of the last eight. So, I think I know who you might be pulling for when all is

said and done, Becky.

ANDERSON: Yeah, listen, I mean, it looks if tot might get relegated. Let's put that to one side, because as a team, the eyes of boy, if they get

relegated, what any spurs fan will tell you is they do not want to see Arsenal win the league this season. I live in Abu Dhabi. So, for the you

know, for the rest of this season, pretty much I'm focused on the Abu Dhabi home team, which is Man City.

WIRE: Yeah, there we go.

ANDERSON: It's good to have you. "World Sport" is up next.

WIRE: I love the passion. Love it.

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