Return to Transcripts main page

Early Start with Rahel Solomon

President Trump Warns Iran to Reopen Hormuz or Face Dire Consequences; Iran State Media: At Least 13 Killed in Baharestan Attack; Head of Intelligence for IRGC Assassinated. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired April 06, 2026 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:00]

DANNY FREEMAN, CO-ANCHOR, EARLY START: Good morning and welcome to our viewers joining us here in the United States and all around the world, I'm Danny Freeman in New York.

BECKY ANDERSON, CO-ANCHOR, EARLY START: A very good morning from our Middle East programming headquarters here in Abu Dhabi, I'm Becky Anderson, where it is 1 O'clock in the afternoon on Monday. And this is week six of this war on Iran responding with its own threats after U.S. President Donald Trump issued his latest ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. President has once again pushed the deadline for Iran to reopen that vital waterway. In a profanity-laced social media post Sunday, Trump renewed his threats to target key infrastructure sites if Tehran does not comply by tomorrow, Tuesday.

Well, Iran fired back, saying it will only reopen the Strait when financial damages from the war are fully compensated. Meanwhile, Iran's state affiliated media reporting at least six children killed in overnight U.S.-Israeli strikes, more than a dozen killed in a separate attack just outside of Tehran.

And we are looking at live images of Haifa in Israel, where Israeli media reports at least two people killed and two remain missing after an Iranian strike on a residential building there on Sunday. Another major loss to Iran's security apparatus, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Israel have confirmed the death of the IRGC's head of Intelligence, who was assassinated earlier today.

CNN's Paula Hancocks joins us live from Abu Dhabi. And as the clock ticks down to a 1:00 p.m. Eastern press conference to be held by Donald Trump and members of the Pentagon today, it does this Monday feel as if we are at a very consequential point in this war.

A deadline by Donald Trump, pushed to Tuesday for Iran to quote, "reopen the Strait of Hormuz". Attacks continue, of course, in this region. Paula, just get us back up to speed on where things stand this Monday morning.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, if we start with the rhetoric that we are hearing from both sides, there is a definite escalation once again when it comes to this war of words, which often goes hand-in-hand with any war across the world.

But really, this has been remarkable. The level of threats that we are seeing. The most notable one recently from the U.S. President, that expletive-laden -- a post, saying that if the Strait of Hormuz is not open, then there will be power plants and bridges that will be impacted.

Now, the Iranian response has been widespread. Across the board, we're seeing a number of officials responding. We've heard from the parliament speaker saying that Trump is pushing the U.S. towards a living hell, and warned that the region could burn.

Now, there has been this response from Iran that if civilian infrastructure is targeted in Iran, then they will reciprocate. When it comes to U.S. interests in the region, meaning the gulf countries, the neighboring countries will come under even more attack than they have already.

There was also a response to Trump's threat from the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ESMAIL BAGHAEI, SPOKESMAN, FOREIGN MINISTRY, IRAN: Threatening to attack a country's critical infrastructure, energy sector. It would mean that you want to put at risk the whole population, and this is nothing less than war crimes and crimes against humanity.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANCOCKS: Now, it is worth pointing out that already we have seen U.S. and Israeli attacks on energy infrastructure in Iran. We have seen Iranian attacks, frequent attacks on energy infrastructure in the gulf. So, this is already happening. What we are seeing from the overnight hours into Monday morning is further attacks against Iran.

[05:05:00]

We're seeing in just around Tehran, a number of different locations. Footage coming through to us from Iranian state media showing search and rescue operations as they claim more than a dozen have been killed in one of the strikes.

Now, of course, it's very difficult to verify those numbers coming from state media, but we are also seeing Iranian retaliation having an impact around the region. In Israel, for example, in Haifa, we know that a six-story residential building was struck.

Now, we heard from the Israeli military, there were four missing since that point, the Israeli media has confirmed two bodies have been found. They are still continuing to try and search for two more people who are missing.

And overnight here in Abu Dhabi, there were a number of alerts. We know that there have also been interceptions in Bahrain and other gulf nations. Becky. ANDERSON: Got it. Good to have you, Paula. Thank you. Well, a source

tells CNN, Pakistan and Egypt are among countries keeping communications open between Washington and Tehran. Islamabad, of course, has been playing a key role in mediation and de-escalation efforts in the region since the war broke out.

And we are also learning about the possible options there described, being discussed by Oman and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which lies in the two sides territorial waters. Of course, an Omani source says these last-ditch talks, as they describe them, are focused on implementing a safe passage protocol to allow commercial shipping some access.

Well, let's get to Kuwait City now, where Hamad Althunayyan is Assistant Professor of Kuwait's University Department of Political Science. It's good to have you this morning. And I should note, Kuwaiti authorities have said six people were injured this Monday after projectiles and shrapnel fell in a residential area in the north of the country.

Reports are of periodic electricity cuts, and I wonder if you can stand those up there in Kuwait as well. The reality of this war, certainly very tangible where you are, as this clock ticks down to Trump's ultimatum. Do you believe there's room for a deal or are we heading towards further escalation at this point?

HAMAD ALTHUNAYYAN, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, KUWAIT UNIVERSITY: Well, thank you, Becky, it's good to be with you again. And what you mentioned is absolutely correct. You know, Kuwait has been attacked more than a 1,000 drones and ballistic missiles just in the last 24 hours.

There have been more than nine ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles, and as well as 31 drones that were knocked out -- knocked down by the Kuwait Defense Forces. And some of these targets unfortunately, has been successful in damaging electricity and water desalination plants, energy infrastructure, civilian buildings, as well as government complexes resulting in several casualties.

I think the threats made in the ultimatum given by Trump is a reckless -- to say the least. You know, many experts and people from the region has been warning against putting critical infrastructure and energy installations on the targets list. It must be off the table moving forward.

(CLEARS THROAT)

ALTHUNAYYAN: I think the reality of reaching a deal right now is possible. But I don't see it likely at this point. Imagine if a target like Bushehr Nuclear Reactor, for example, a power plant in Iran is struck. It is situated on the gulf waters.

If this -- if there was a nuclear leakage that came out of, you know, this plant, it would definitely risk the 90 percent of the drinkable water that the gulf depends on, that comes out of these same waters. To be honest, I'm not too optimistic about reaching a deal. I think we are heading into more escalation if Trump carries out the

threats of targeting energy and power plants in Iran, or if there is a ground operation, I think the Iranians will respond -- could respond in two manners.

One, by intensifying the attacks on the gulf states energy infrastructure and critical infrastructure, and two, by instructing the Houthis to attack and, you know, Red Sea shipping, and threatening through Bab al-Mandab.

[05:10:00]

Now, this will ultimately, threaten the gulf states supply routes coming from the Red Sea. I think these two threats, if it's carried by Iran, it will constitute a red line that will push the gulf states into taking and exploring more offensive options moving forward. And it will also threaten Egypt's Suez Canal revenues big time.

ANDERSON: Right --

ALTHUNAYYAN: Which could also open the possibility for more regional actors and widening -- entering this war and, you know, widening the regional war. And it will definitely --

ANDERSON: Yes --

ALTHUNAYYAN: Accelerate the path to, you know, $200 a barrel of oil.

ANDERSON: I spoke to Anwar Gargash, the UAE's top diplomatic adviser about a range of topics at the weekend. When it comes to diplomacy, we talked about the U.S.' role in the region. He doubled down on Abu Dhabi's security partnership with Washington, quote, "I believe the Iranian strategy will actually concretize the American role in the gulf moving forward.

It will not reduce it. We will also see Israeli influence become more prominent in the gulf, not less. We will double down on our relationship with the U.S." We also talked about the Strait of Hormuz, and I want to get to that.

But before I do, do you believe that Anwar Gargash, his view is reflected around the region when it comes to sort of doubling down on the relationship with the U.S., which of course, you know, is clearly something Iran is trying to sort of dismantle at this point.

ALTHUNAYYAN: You know, absolutely. I agree with what you said. The goal of the Iranian actions and aggression against the gulf states, it's mainly targeting and trying to push the gulf states into the world economy, into pushing and pressuring the Trump administration from -- to end these hostilities or, you know, the military operations against Iran.

But a key factor in what Iran is doing is the long-term strategy, and it's been always -- been declared their long-term strategy of putting -- driving a wedge between the U.S. and the gulf states. Let's remember, Becky, this relations has crossed many decades, many presidencies, many events.

And if Iran thinks by doing what they're doing right now, that this will suddenly collapse the U.S.-Gulf security partnership, I think they are incredibly mistaken, and the gulf states will continue. Now, we might reassess our security options.

We might reassess our security partnerships with others. But I think if giving a blow to U.S. security, it is a far reach right now, and I agree with his statement.

ANDERSON: Hamad, good to have you, thank you very much indeed for joining us, your perspective from Kuwait, incredibly important to us this morning. Thank you. And we'll have a lot more from the gulf and Middle East coming up, but for now, let's get you back to Danny Freeman in New York.

FREEMAN: Thank you, Becky. All right, still to come, we'll take a closer look at how U.S. lawmakers are reacting to President Trump's profanity-laced warning to Iran. We'll have the latest from Capitol Hill after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:15:00]

FREEMAN: President Trump's profane Truth Social post is drawing sharp criticism from U.S. lawmakers. In an Easter post on X, Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer compared the President to a quote, "unhinged mad man", and said, what the President threatens to do could amount to a war crime.

Plus, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy also called President Trump's actions unhinged. He recommended Trump's cabinet speak to lawyers, highlighting the constitutional path to remove the President from office under the 25th Amendment.

Former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, meanwhile, also reacted, saying, quote, "Trump threatening to bomb power plants and bridges hurts the Iranian people. The very people Trump claimed he was freeing."

And a new CNN poll shows that just 33 percent of those asked approve of how President Trump is handling his role as commander-in-chief. The same number approve of how the President is handling the war with Iran. And when it comes to people's overall view of the President, the data doesn't really improve very much.

Just 35 percent of those polled said they approve of how President Trump is handling the role of President. Nearly two-thirds of people said that they disapprove of President Trump's handling of his job. Meanwhile, Democrats are throwing cold water on the request from the White House for $1.5 trillion in defense funds.

The budget blueprint for 2027 would increase defense spending by more than 40 percent compared to last year. Several key Democrats spoke about the issue on Sunday, including the House Minority leader. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): They have more than enough resources as far as we can tell, in order to do what is necessary. At the same period of time, Congress has to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. The cost of living in this country is out of control, and Donald Trump promised to actually lower costs on day one. That hasn't happened.

SEN. TIM KAINE (D-VA): It's not just about the dollars. It's about the Pentagon managing the money. You just watched the Secretary of Defense fire very respected army leadership in the middle of a war.

[05:20:00]

Respected leadership on both sides of the aisle in both Houses. And there's deep questions about why many suspect that Secretary Hegseth was just trying to move people out of the way that he viewed as personally threatening to his leadership.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FREEMAN: We're joined now by Julia Manchester; White House correspondent for "The Hill". She joins us from Washington. Julia, you had a very busy weekend and even spoke to the President himself, I understand. So, let's start there.

What did the President tell you about how he's thinking right now about the war with Iran and the possibility of boots on the ground?

JULIA MANCHESTER, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, THE HILL: Hey, Danny, I asked the President point-blank if he would rule out sending boots on the ground if he does not get a deal with Iran. And he said no, he would not rule out boots on the ground, and added that if Iran were smart, they would make a deal, something he has said before.

I also asked him if he was going to rule out any infrastructure targets when it came to potential future strikes in Iran, in the case that they do not make a deal. And he said, he was not ruling out anything, that all infrastructure targets were on the table.

Now, obviously, this as well as his other interviews with reporters yesterday, has led to a lot of criticism about potential war crimes violations and what the Iranian people, civilians, innocent civilians, should do if we see these indiscriminate strikes.

So, we know the President is going to have a news conference in the White House later today, I am sure he will be asked by reporters about this.

FREEMAN: We'll talk about the news conference in just a moment. But I want to touch on that profane tweet that really sent shockwaves around the world yesterday. Let's put aside the unhinged remarks from Democrats and even the profanity.

What I don't understand, Julia, is it seems like that post stepped all over his real victory of rescuing that crew member late Saturday night. No?

MANCHESTER: That's such a good point, because we woke up to headlines on Easter morning about this very good news of this rescue of an American service member. You know, something that I think had a lot of Americans, the military, obviously, persons family on edge throughout the course of the weekend, but that was shortly overtaken in the headlines by this very, you know, like you said, profane post on Truth Social by the President.

And it's interesting. The President knows what he's doing when he posts on Truth Social, whatever he posts on Truth Social automatically makes news, can impact negotiations with Iran, for example, the markets, et cetera. These are very powerful messages.

But he adds profanity into it. A direct threat against Iran, and that really overtakes the very good news. I would say a victory for, you know, the country and President Trump in rescuing that service member. So, certainly, it has shifted the conversation.

FREEMAN: So, with that, what should we expect, do you think from this press conference this afternoon. Is this going to be more of a victory lap over the rescue of that service member, or are we going to see a continuity of trying to justify this war to the American people like we heard in his address last week?

MANCHESTER: Well, I would imagine the victory of rescuing the service member will certainly be brought up. However, I think there are going to be a lot of questions to President Trump about what the timeline in Iran is.

It seems like there's a shifting timeline not only to end the war, but also to open up the Strait of Hormuz. The President posting on Truth Social very cryptically yesterday, 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday. So, I imagine he will address that as well.

But like I said earlier, there's going to be a lot of questions about, you know, the criticism over whether he would -- you know, these potential strikes, these indiscriminate strikes would constitute war crimes. And what the President plans on doing if he strikes Iran, if he plans to carry these out in the case that Iran and the U.S. do not make a deal.

What he plans to do to protect Iranian citizens, what his message to Iranian citizens are. You know, I think the U.S. Americans, their allies, the international community will be watching that very closely.

FREEMAN: Julia, President Trump keeps saying this is going to be a short war, and we all just need to stomach a little bit of pain, for example, at the pump, while the objectives of the administration keep pushing forward.

I guess my question to you is, how much pain do you think Americans can endure before a punishing Midterms for Republicans is locked in? I mean, we're seeing bad poll numbers day-after-day for the President and his leadership in this war.

MANCHESTER: I think we're running up on that timeline, Danny. I would say that most Republicans I've spoken to, also Democrats would say that once we get into the Summer time, really starts running out for Republicans and President Trump to message on affordability if energy prices do not go back to normal.

[05:25:00]

You know, before this war broke out, we saw President Trump making the case on affordability, saying energy prices are going down, and that will have a trickle-down effect on the prices of other goods and services because of the cost of energy to transport them.

President Trump can't make that case anymore. I think obviously, a lot of Republicans will be watching the President very closely for -- to get an indication of how they should message on this issue. President Trump has been asked about this over the course of the last couple of weeks.

And he said, you know, he's very much maintained this short-term pain message the administration across the board has put out. But he's also said that this is America first because he is protecting America from a nuclear-armed Iran.

It's unclear, though, and polling would suggest that the American people are very skeptical about that message. And it doesn't seem that they're necessarily buying it ahead of the Midterms on affordability.

FREEMAN: Julia Manchester, after an especially busy weekend for you, speaking directly to the President, I really appreciate you waking up early and giving your reporting. Thank you very much.

MANCHESTER: Thanks, Danny.

FREEMAN: Still ahead, we're going to take a closer look at the rescue operation for the airman who was shot down in his fighter jet over Iran and evaded capture behind enemy lines. Stay with us for that. Plus, thousands filled St. Peter's Square to celebrate Easter on Sunday.

Coming up ahead, we'll hear about Pope Leo's first holy week as pontiff and why his Easter message is resonating far beyond the Vatican.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)