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Early Start with Rahel Solomon

Iran Claims Images Show Downed U.S. Fighter Jet; Pentagon: Report On Iran's Capability "Completely Wrong"; President Trump Fires Pam Bondi As U.S. Attorney General; Artemis II Leaves Earth's Orbit On Journey To Moon. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired April 03, 2026 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:22]

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to our viewers joining us from the United States and all around the world. I'm Omar Jimenez, live in New York.

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Becky Anderson. It is 1:00 p.m. here from our Middle East headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

You are watching EARLY START.

And we begin with breaking news. Iranian state media broadcasting images they claim show the wreckage of a U.S. Air Force fighter jet. The series of photos shows only small pieces of an aircraft, which the Iranian report says is an F-35 stealth fighter. Analysts say the wreckage photos appear to be from a U.S. Air Force F-15 jet. CNN has asked U.S. Central Command for comment on the claim.

We also have exclusive new reporting on Iran's military capability, three sources tell CNN that roughly half of Iran's missile launches are still intact, despite the daily attacks by the U.S. and Israeli military. That is according to recent U.S. intelligence assessments.

Thousands of one way attack drones also remain in Iran's arsenal. One source says Iran is, quote, still very much poised to wreak havoc throughout the entire region. A Pentagon spokesperson calling CNN's reporting, quote, "completely wrong".

Meanwhile, Iran is reporting at least eight dead, 95 injured in a U.S. Israeli strike on a bridge west of Tehran. President Trump on social media says the U.S. military hasn't even started destroying what is left in Iran.

And the U.S., the -- sorry, the U.N. Security Council is set to vote on a proposal from Bahrain that would authorize countries to use all defensive means necessary to secure transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

CNN's Eleni Giokos live this hour in Dubai, following the markets for us, and very specifically, what is going on in the strait of Hormuz.

I want to begin, though, with our Paula Hancocks here in Abu Dhabi on that breaking news out of Iran.

Paula, what do we know at this point?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, what we have at this point is Iranian state media, publishing, publishing photos of what they claim is a U.S. air force fighter jet. They say it was downed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Now, they have claimed that it is an F-35. We have shown the images to experts who believe that it may show an F-15 fighter jet. They say it has a partial logo. U.S. Air Forces in Europe, which does usually appear on the F-15 tail fin.

Now we've seen a statement as well from the Revolutionary Guard, and ill quote this due to the complete disintegration of the aircraft, the fate of the pilot remains unknown.

Now we have reached out to U.S. Central Command about these claims by Iran. It's worth pointing out that earlier, Iran has claimed to have downed other fighter jets which have been rejected. The most recent rejected on social media by CENTCOM. And they said that Iran's forces routinely make false claims. At that point, they said half a dozen times they have made the claim. In this case, though, there are purported images of what Iran claims is this downed fighter jet. So, we wait to see what the U.S. military says about that.

Now, when it comes to the reporting from three sources telling CNN that the capability of Iran appears to be far more significant than what we are hearing, at least from the Trump administration. This was based on recent intelligence assessments done in recent days, saying that roughly half of missile launchers are still intact, about 50 percent of the one-way strike drones, also still intact. Also saying that that the coastal defenses along the Strait of Hormuz, but cruise missiles stationed there, a large percentage of them are intact as well.

Now, we have reached out to the Trump administration, which rejected this, saying that it is anonymous sources desperately wanting to attack President Trump, a Pentagon spokesperson also saying that the report is completely wrong.

We have seen, though, today that that Iran is still very capable of firing missiles and projectiles and impacting its neighbors. We know here in the UAE, we've had about four emergency alerts in the space of an hour.

[05:05:00]

Authorities saying that that there are some gas facilities, the Habshan gas facilities were targeted, no injuries there. We've also seen in Kuwait, authorities saying that a power plant and a desalination plant have been targeted. It appears debris from downed projectiles have caused some material damage. Again, no injuries there.

So, what we are seeing certainly on the ground, is that Tehran is still very much able to target its neighbors -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Yeah, very worrying.

Eleni, let me bring you in here. I mean, traffic in the strait of is practically halted, as we know. The impact global.

What do we know of the diplomatic efforts to provide security and get that shipping there moving?

ELENI GIOKOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It feels like momentum is building on the diplomatic front. A lot of conversations being had. Firstly, you had that meeting that was convened by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer of 40 representatives from various countries trying to figure out, you know, what is the best way forward. But then importantly, Bahrain bringing forward a resolution that's going to be voted on at the U.N. Security Council today. And it basically says that countries will be able to take any defensive means necessary to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

It's also being said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had a conversation with Vladimir Putin to ensure that Russia doesn't block this resolution. And then, importantly, a conversation will be had with Chinese officials so that China is on board with this. It will basically involve all countries deciding whether they want to act individually or voluntarily be part of a multinational group to respond to any kind of measure required for the Strait of Hormuz to be opened. It will last for around six months, Becky, and they'll check in quarterly.

So, we're waiting for that vote. That's going to be really instrumental in terms of determining whether Iran is still going to have de facto control. But, you know, you mentioned this shock is global. You've got Brent crude prices at $109 a barrel.

You've got WTI, which is the U.S. benchmark at $112 a barrel right now. And I was just digging further into this. You know, U.S. gas prices ticking up constantly. And according to Oxford economics, for every cent increase in us gas prices, you're seeing a deterioration in consumer spending that will amount to $1.5 billion lost in consumer spending on an annual basis. And we're hearing jet fuel shortages concerns the E.U. Commission coming out and saying they're expecting higher oil prices for longer.

So, again, just all roads lead to opening up the Strait of Hormuz, despite the fact that President Trump's assertion is, you know, they don't rely on the strait that the world does. And therefore, everyone else should be focusing on efforts to open opening it up. But I think a lot will be sort of hanging on what happens with this resolution. And then it's about implementation, which will be vital in this scenario.

ANDERSON: Good to have you both. Thank you very much indeed. Paula is in Abu Dhabi, Eleni is in Dubai for you this morning.

Well, things are going from bad to worse for more than a million people displaced by the fighting in Lebanon. Aid workers say many of them don't have access to clean water, medications or medical care and relief groups that operate there are struggling to keep up with the growing needs of displaced families. They include some migrant workers who are now displaced for a second time.

The head of the International Organization for Migration says they simply don't have a place to go anymore. She also says the mass displacement could lead to tensions and violence between communities in Lebanon.

All right. More from us a little later this hour. Let's get you back to Omar, who is in New York with further news -- Omar.

JIMENEZ: All right. Thank you, Becky. We'll get back to the region shortly.

Here in the United States, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told the Army's chief of staff to retire immediately. General Randy George held the position since September of 2023, and he previously served as the senior military assistant to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Experts say General George's ties to the Biden administration didn't sit well with Hegseth, who was already positioned one of his top deputies to fill the role.

Fired and replaced. Pam Bondi, no longer U.S. attorney general and is no longer in charge of the Justice Department. She's the second member of President Trump's cabinet to be fired in just a matter of weeks.

CNN's Kristen Holmes picks up the story.

(BEGN VIDEOTAPE)

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: President Trump fired his attorney general, Pam Bondi, on Thursday, saying that the deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche, would be filling in during the interim period while they look for someone to fill that job permanently. Now, in the lead up to this actual firing, we have been told that President Trump had grown increasingly frustrated with Bondi over a number of issues, one being her handling of the Epstein files.

Two, President Trump does not believe that Bondi has worked fast enough to prosecute some of his political enemies. Now, President Trump first started talking about this idea of replacing Bondi back in January, and then it started to die down.

[05:10:04]

Many people in the administration had thought that he had moved on from that until this week, when he started calling allies, saying that he wanted to replace her, floating different names. And then it became increasingly clear he was likely to do so.

Wednesday night, President Trump had a meeting with Bondi that one source described as tough. They talked about her future in the role, and President Trump made clear that she was probably going to get replaced, but did float the idea of a potential other job within the administration or even a judgeship, sources told us. Now, here's what President Trump posted after firing Pam Bondi on

Truth Social, said, Pam Bondi is a great American patriot and a loyal friend who faithfully served as my attorney general over the past year. Then he says, we love Pam and she will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector to be announced at a date in the near future.

Now, this is critical because, as you'll remember, Pam Bondi is now the second cabinet member in the last month to get fired, the first being Kristi Noem, to whom he gave a soft landing as a special envoy. Clearly, here there is no soft landing for Pam Bondi as they move forward. Instead, she will be going into the, quote/unquote, "private sector".

Now, Bondi thanked the president for his service on social media and said that she would be in that job for the next month, helping with the transition. There are a number of names that have been floated to become the next attorney general. One of them considered the lead is now the current EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin, but nothing is final. President Trump is still thinking through various names that he could put into this position.

Kristen Holmes, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JIMENEZ: All right. Kristen, thank you.

Meanwhile, we've got new CNN polling that shows Americans views of both the Republican and Democratic parties remain deeply negative. But heading into this year's midterm elections, the Democrats do hold an early advantage. The poll, conducted by CNN/SSRS as well, finds that about one quarter of the public holds a negative view of both parties, at least among those polled.

But voters in that group prefer Democrats in the upcoming election by 31 points, and the vote preferences, in large part, really are driven by opposition to Republicans rather than enthusiasm for Democrats and President Trump's job performance looming large on voters' minds as well. About 42 percent say their vote for Congress would be to oppose the president. Only 21 percent say they would vote to support his agenda.

All right. It's day three of a historic journey for the Artemis II mission, as it makes its long trek to the dark side of the moon. When we come back, we'll have an update on its flight.

Also, newly released video shows Tiger Woods arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence. We'll show you what the police body camera footage reveals about his behavior following a serious car crash.

And later, well get you back to Abu Dhabi for the latest on the war with Iran, including the latest on reports of a downed U.S. fighter jet.

You're watching EARLY START.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:17:36]

JIMENEZ: You are looking at the cockpit of Artemis II, which is on its way to the moon. The four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft left earth's orbit on Thursday, which is the first time that's happened, by the way, since Apollo 17 in 1972. The historic mission is the first in over 50 years, during which astronauts will get so close to the moon.

On Thursday, some of the crew reflected on how smooth the launch was the day before. They actually weren't expecting it to happen on the first try, but it did. And now they're on their long trek to the dark side of the moon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEREMY HANSEN, MISSION SPECIALIST, CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY: The views are extraordinary. It's really fun to be floating around, and it just makes me feel like a little kid.

REID WISEMAN, ARTEMIS II COMMANDER: When we got done that burn, we just kind of looked at each other as a crew. We have been to the moon before. In 1969, 1968 through 1972. It's been a long time since we've been back, and I got to tell you, there is nothing normal about this.

CHRSTINA KOCH, MISSION SPECIALIST, NASA: Having just experienced incredible views of Planet Earth and seeing the entire planet out the window in one pain, knowing that we're about to have some similar views of the moon in that same way is definitely getting me more excited for it.

VICTOR GLOVER, ARTEMIS II TEST PILOT: We get to give ourselves a mission that we can hold on to, to say, hey, look at what we did for, for, for the rest of our lives. You know, we call amazing things that humans do moonshots for a reason because it's brought us together and showed us what we can do when we put not just putting our differences aside, when we bring our differences together and use all the strengths to accomplish something great.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIMENEZ: That's a pregame speech, if I've ever heard one.

CNN's Ed Lavandera has more, as the crew prepares to go where no humans have ventured.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's go time for the Artemis crew as they are about to embark on a history making path. More than 250,000 miles from planet earth.

REID WISEMAN, ARTEMIS II COMMANDER: It was an amazing ride uphill. The views. We've got two moon rises that we've had so far, and the views of planet Earth, we've circled it completely and we forgot how beautiful it is to look down on earth.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): The four astronauts on the Orion spacecraft, which they have named Integrity, woke up Thursday to the song "Sleepyhead".

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good morning, Artemis II crew.

WISEMAN: Houston. Integrity, we are ready to go.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): The crew started their second day after sleeping in four-hour shifts and exercising on a flywheel device to do squats, deadlifts and rowing. And they're settling into an extensive food menu that includes coffee, smoothies, quiche, beef brisket, even mango salad, and couscous with nuts.

[05:20:04]

The astronauts have also changed out of their bright orange spacesuits, designed to keep them alive if there's an emergency, the suits can protect them for about six days.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They're called the Orion crew survival suits or OCS suits.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): Right out of the gate, though, the astronauts had to troubleshoot a problem with the capsule's toilet. With the help of mission control, the problem was fixed and strategically, the team took the capsule for a manual test drive and has successfully completed several maneuvers to adjust Orion's orbital path, as part of their ten-day mission.

Including the translunar injection burn, which will set them on the path to circumnavigate the moon, where no humans have traveled since the last Apollo mission in 1972.

It's a historic moment for NASA, as the space agency chases the dream of creating a lunar base that will ultimately lay the groundwork to explore Mars.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For the first time in over 50 years, humans join the deep space network.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA: Now that the trans lunar injection burn is successfully complete, the Artemis crew is on its way to the moon, and this is an incredibly special time. It is a trip that will take four days to complete, so that gives the Artemis crew plenty of time to continue carrying out other tests. Other experiments that they need to do on board the spacecraft to make sure everything continues to work properly. There's a very good chance we actually get to see and hear from the crew as well. And then in four days, they will be passing the far side of the moon. Another historic moment in this historic mission. JIMENEZ: Truly history in the making.

All right. Coming up for us, newly released police video shows the moments that led officers to arrest Tiger Woods for driving under the influence. Now, the golfer says he's stepping away from the game to get help. We'll have the full story ahead.

Plus, polls show the United States public is far from sold on the war in Iran. But one former White House official is making the case against ending it too early.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:26:33]

JIMENEZ: We're getting our first look at police footage recorded during Tiger Woods arrest last week. The golf legend was charged in Florida with driving under the influence after he crashed into another vehicle and then rolled his SUV and body cam. Video shows woods failing multiple sobriety tests, leading to his arrest.

Isabel Rosales takes us through it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

POLICE OFFICER: Mr. Woods, Mr. Woods, I just keep you down here with us, please.

TIGER WOODS, GOLF LEGEND: Yeah. I was just talking to the president.

ISABEL ROSALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Golf legend Tiger Woods tells a deputy he's just ended a phone call with President Trump shortly before what would be his DUI arrest? A scene for the first time in a new body camera video released by a Florida sheriff's office.

WOODS: Down my phone, and all of a sudden, boom.

POLICE OFFICER: Let me just take a look. I go in and just like, take is this is this comfortable for you?

WOODS: Yeah.

ROSALES (voice-over): He has since pleaded not guilty and has demanded a jury trial.

POLICE OFFICER: How much have you had to drink today? None. None. Do you take any medication?

WOODS: I took a few. Yes.

POLICE OFFICER: What's a few?

ROSALES (voice-over): Video shows deputies questioning Woods in an arrest report noting several signs of impairment, like extremely dilated pupils, bloodshot eyes and lethargic movements. WOODS: Motrin ibuprofen and, what do you call it?

POLICE OFFICER: Did you take all of them today?

WOODS: Yes.

ROSALES (voice-over): Part of the golf star's response, redacted by the sheriff's office. Deputies allow woods to perform the field sobriety test. Sitting down on the bumper of a cruiser because of his physical limitations, noticing his limping and stumbling, the 82-time PGA tour winner tells deputies he had seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his leg, according to the arrest report.

REPORTER: Don't move your head. Do you understand?

WOODS: You got it.

ROSALES (voice-over): During this hand coordination test near the golf legend's Florida house, he's told to shut his eyes, stack his fists, clap and count. But the arrest report shows he failed to follow instructions.

POLICE OFFICER: Place them behind your back. There you go. So, at this time, I do believe your normal faculties are impaired. Okay? And you're under the unknown substance. Okay, so at this time, you're under arrest for DUI. Yes, sir.

ROSALES (voice-over): During a pat down, deputies find two pills inside his pant pocket, later determined by law enforcement to be the prescription painkiller hydrocodone

WOODS: That's a narco.

POLICE OFFICER: That's a narco?

WOODS: Yep.

POLICE OFFICER: Okay.

ROSALES (voice-over): A deputy puts the pills away into a plastic evidence bag.

After his arrest, video from the back of the sheriff's cruiser shows him cuffed and leaning back, eyes closed. And on Thursday, a Florida judge granted a request from his attorney to let Woods travel out of the United States in order to attend a comprehensive inpatient treatment. In a statement, the 15-time Major winner said he is stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment, saying, quote, "This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.'

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROSALES: The golf star is no stranger to high profile car incidents, this marking his fourth and with this latest case, his drivers license has been suspended. Now, Woods is also dating the former daughter in law of President

Trump, Vanessa Trump. And you heard Woods there mention at the top of the story that he had spoken on the phone with the president. CNN has reached out to the White House to confirm whether such a call took place.

Isabel Rosales, CNN, Atlanta.

JIMENEZ: All right. Thank you, Isabel. The latest U.S. jobs report is due out in just a matter of hours. And analysts are predicting a pleasant change from last month.