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Global Virtual Summit on Strait of Hormuz Concludes; Trump Amps Up Threats to Leave NATO Over Iran War; Tiger Woods Allegedly Refused Urine Test After Crash. Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired April 02, 2026 - 10:30   ET

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

[10:30:00]

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: And just a few moments ago, a virtual summit over the Strait of Hormuz with dozens of countries ended as economic pain from the Iran war spreading across the world right now.

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced this meeting yesterday. The goal is to find ways to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz.

So, let's bring in CNN business and economics reporter Anna Cooban, who is in London. Tell us more about this meeting, who was in it and what they were considering.

ANNA COOBAN, CNN BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS REPORTER: Well, this is a coalition of countries really willing to work together diplomatically to try and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Now, we get to get a true readout of what was said in that meeting. But things that have been discussed over the course of this week are potential military escorts for tankers coming out of the strait, not to be involved militarily directly in the conflict, but to allow for basically the safe passage off these tankers. And also, you know, are these where the mind sweeping capabilities? We know that Iran has put mines in the waterway. How can we guarantee that these ships will be able to move safely through?

Now, what Trump has done in the past few days is really put the onus on countries that receive oil from the strait onto them to reopen this. And this has irked many European leaders who see this is essentially cleaning up the mess left by a war that they haven't waged. And Trump is right when he talks about the U.S. being more insulated from this crisis in terms of oil, the oil supply. But it is not completely insulated.

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This is a global market. And we are getting to a point where there may be more competition for U.S. exports between Asia and Europe, thereby pushing up the price even further and thereby potentially depriving the domestic U.S. market of its oil as producers will be wanting to sell it to places where they can fetch the highest price.

So, the U.S. is very much in this with other countries in this global market. And this summit will have to look at the true the proper readout about what kind of sort of solutions they're going to come to with this.

BROWN: All right. Anna, thanks so much for bringing us the latest on that front.

BLITZER: I want to discuss what's going on with CNN Global Affairs Analyst Barak Ravid. He's also a correspondent for Axios. Barak, I want to start with the Strait of Hormuz, a critical issue. Obviously, the president says it's the world's problem right now, and the world needs to solve it. How is that playing globally?

BARAK RAVID, CNN POLITICAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT, AXIOS: Well, I think that big part of the negotiations that are going on right now between the U.S. and Iran through the Pakistani mediators and all those exchanges of messages are an effort to basically end the war with Iran reopening the Strait. That's, I think, the main effort right now, diplomatically.

If that fails, I think Trump has signaled several times that he might end the war with the Strait of Hormuz issue not being solved. He said yesterday in his speech that he thinks it will naturally reopen once the war is over. I'm not sure that's the case. And if it's not the case, then a lot of countries, starting with the Gulf countries and countries in Asia and in Europe, will have to figure out how to do it.

One interesting thing that will happen this week in the U.N. is an effort by the Gulf countries to pass a U.N. Security Council resolution that will basically give a mandate for a potential international task force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz that might be put together once the war is over. If that's the case, if this resolution passes in the next few days, it will give the legal framework for such an effort to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

BLITZER: As you know, Barak, the longer the Strait is closed, choking off, let's say, up to a fifth of the world's oil supply, does that put more pressure on countries in the Middle East and Asia to get directly involved and try to deal with this?

RAVID: Definitely. And I think this is why we saw the Pakistani foreign minister going to China. I think the Chinese want this war to be over as soon as possible, and they're trying to be helpful in reaching some sort of a deal. But I think it's not only about whether the Strait is reopened now. It's also about what's going to happen in the future.

And the Gulf countries are telling their allies, both in the West and they're also saying this to China and Russia, that what's going to happen a month from now, six months from now, a year from now, are the Iranians going to be able to just shut down the Strait again when they feel like it? And I think this is what the Gulf countries are concerned about.

And this is why they're trying to put together the Security Council resolution that will allow not only now, but also in the future, for the International Community to have the legal framework for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and the freedom of navigation there going.

BLITZER: As you know, Barak, there was a lot of talk that Trump could distance the United States from NATO, perhaps even withdraw from the alliance. In his speech last night, he was indicating that potentially could happen. It didn't happen necessarily last night. But should European allies be nervous about all of this, or should they be breathing a sigh of relief? He didn't flatly say the U.S. is leaving NATO.

RAVID: Well, Donald Trump has been talking about leaving NATO for several years now. And this means that it's something he wants to do. And we know that when Donald Trump talks about something for several years, he's not bluffing. And I think the current situation and Donald Trump's frustration with his European allies over several issues, it's not, I mean, the war with Iran is just the latest thing.

There were tensions with -- between the U.S. and European allies over Ukraine, over Greenland. Now, it's about Iran.

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I think it all leads to something that could be a very significant crisis in the transatlantic alliance when this war is over.

BLITZER: And if the U.S. were to leave NATO, that would be a huge bonanza for Russia. There's no doubt about that. Barak Ravid, thank you very, very much. And --

RAVID: Russia, by the way. But --

BLITZER: Yes. You agree, right?

RAVID: Yes, not only for Russia, but for any country who is on the Russian side, meaning also for -- a bonanza for Iran and a bonanza for China and a bonanza for any country that sees itself as an adversary of the U.S. and its Western ally.

BLITZER: Yes, good point. Definitely. All right. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BROWN: Breaking news. Authorities have released video showing Tiger Woods's arrest following a rollover crash that he was involved in last week. Woods was charged with driving under the influence, but he pleaded not guilty, according to court documents.

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Now, following the crash, a local sheriff's deputy described Woods as having bloodshot, glassy eyes with extremely dilated pupils.

BLITZER: CNN's Isabel Rosales has been covering the story for us. What more do we know about the charges Woods faces right now and what we're expecting from officials today?

ISABEL ROSALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, so the charges are misdemeanors. It's DUI with property damage and also refusal to submit to a lawful test. Now, CNN is reviewing newly released videos from the Martin County Sheriff's Office. We're going through them as we speak.

But we do have that first video from our CNN affiliate WPBF, where it shows body camera footage. The officers, the deputies arriving on scene moments after this crash, we can see Tiger Woods in a blue polo down on one knee. And I want you to watch now what happens.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIGER WOODS: -- down on my phone. And all of a sudden, boom.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm going to just take a look at that. I'm going to just like take -- is this comfortable for you?

WOODS: Yes, yes. Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're still going to have our medic come and check you out, all right?

WOODS: Yes, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's OK. I just checked for anything on his back. I didn't feel anything.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm right here. I helped.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who hit him?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He hit the trailer. I don't know. So, he kept coming.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I tried to (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, you were stopped?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was getting ready to turn, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. Are you OK?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I'm fine. He hit the trailer. I don't know if I'm going to -- I got to take this tire (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't even know.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Going to go the other way. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're going to have to go back around. Yes, everybody. You're going to have to go back around.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSALES: Yes, and we can see in that first video that Tiger Woods was interacting with that first responder. He appeared calm and coherent. Now, we're still going through several other videos. These are large video files. But we do know from released police records and arrest affidavit that later on, Woods would go on to blow triple zeros in a breathalyzer test, but ended up failing field sobriety tests and then refusing a urine test. As he was being arrested, they searched his body. And in the front pocket, they did find two white pills. They were prescription hydrocodone.

Now, this is a criminal traffic case. Woods has entered a plea through his attorney of not guilty. He's waived his right to an arraignment. And he's also demanded a jury trial. Now, a judge also gave Woods permission to travel outside of the country to get inpatient treatment. His attorney, through that motion, is asking for privacy and to give him space toward this health care. And Tiger Woods released a statement, I want to get into this, where he says that he is committed to healing.

He said in part this, I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I'm stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.

And of course, Pam and Wolf, we know that he is not going to play in the Masters tournament here set to take off in just a couple of days.

BROWN: And this is not his first high-profile crash, right, Isabel?

ROSALES: Right. He does have a turbulent history here of crash incidents. In fact, this is the fourth high-profile incident, starting in 2009, where he crashed into a fire hydrant and a tree in his driveway. He was cited then for careless driving. In 2017, he was found asleep at the wheel. He pled guilty to that, to reckless driving. And then in 2021, that was the most serious of all, where he crashed. It was a rollover crash in California. He had emergency surgery then and shattered his leg, something that he thought would be career-ending.

[10:50:00]

And of course, we've seen this comeback trail of his trying to get back into this -- the peak of competitive golfing. And now, he's going to deal with this.

BROWN: So, many people have been rooting for him, right? And it's just a very sad turn. And we do expect some more video, correct, Isabel?

ROSALES: Correct. Yes, we're going through that right now. BROWN: All right. Thank you so much for bringing us the latest. We appreciate it.

BLITZER: And coming up, play ball. Before my Washington Nationals home opener tomorrow, the team's president of baseball operations, standing by to join us live right here in the Situation Room.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:55:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have not seen a challenge in the game yet.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ABS powered by T-Mobile. Visayo (ph) for the win. Yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Baseball history in Baltimore, a so-called robot umpire made the first game-ending call, overturning a called ball after a challenge and giving the Orioles a win over the Rangers. This new so- called automated ball strike system is sending fans into a frenzy.

Here with us now is the president of baseball operations for the Washington Nationals, Paul Toboni. Paul, thanks very much for joining us. These robot umpires, as they've been called, a source of controversy right now. What do you think?

PAUL TOBONI, PRESIDENT OF BASEBALL OPERATIONS, WASHINGTON NATIONALS: Yes, you know, it's actually -- it's been great, I think, for the game. I think Major League Baseball made a great decision bringing them on, and players and staff are excited about, more than anything, just being able to get these calls right.

BLITZER: How are the fans reacting, basically, to the fact that the batter himself can call, say it's a mistake, they look at the video, and then they make a decision?

TOBONI: I think they've received it very well, and part of that, I think, is just the timing of it. You know, you're able to look on the scoreboard and see whether it's a ball or a strike, or whether the call is confirmed or overturned, and it happens pretty quick. So, it adds an interesting element to the game, and I think it's really good for the game.

BLITZER: All right. Here are the key questions. Last night, our Washington Nationals, and you know I'm a huge Washington Nationals fan, I'll be at the home opener tomorrow at Nats Park here in Washington. The fact of the matter is, we lost to the Phillies last night. How are we going to do this year?

TOBONI: Yes, yesterday was a tough one. We obviously lost by one in extra innings day before, a similar deal, and you know, I think more than anything, results aside, I think what people are going to feel is that this team really plays a high-energy brand of baseball, and that this group is really tight-knit.

And so, we want to walk away from series with teams, opposing teams, having felt like, gosh, that was going through the ringer, playing this team. And I think the Phillies felt this this last series, even though we went one and two in the series.

BLITZER: Yes, it was a sad moment, because it was an extra inning, as we all know. I want to talk a little bit about Eli Willits. He was the first-round draft pick for our Washington Nationals, the youngest ever. What is he, 17 or 18 years old? And a lot of us are wondering, how come he's not playing for the Washington Nationals this season? He's going to a minor league team.

TOBONI: Yes, typically, it's pretty standard for a high school draftee, being 17 years old, to get some time in the minor leagues. And so, he's going to spend some time in the minor leagues, and then as soon as he's ready to impact the Washington Nationals, he'll be up with us and helping us win games.

BLITZER: He'll be with Rochester. Is that the minor league team he'll be with?

TOBONI: Rochester's Triple-A. He's going to be in Fredericksburg, but we have --

BLITZER: This is, what, a single-A, double-A?

TOBONI: Single-A.

BLITZER: Single-A.

TOBONI: Yes.

BLITZER: So, he's not ready for Triple-A yet?

TOBONI: Not yet. He's still just a year removed from high school. And so, a lot of these players in Rochester are 24, 25, 26 years old. And so, he'll be up there in time, probably sooner rather than later.

BLITZER: And I know that the Washington Nationals are preparing some special events in this season, especially for little kids, right? Who come to the game, they're going to be able to, what, get free food? Tell us a little bit more.

TOBONI: Yes, you know, this is a thing that I'm very passionate about. I grew up in San Francisco, a fan of the San Francisco Giants, and I fell in love with the game of baseball by going to the yard probably four or five times a week. And so, we want to create an environment at Nats Park where it's great for kids. And, you know, we want kids going to the museums in the summer and playing sports, but then showing up at Nationals Park at night and rooting on the hometown team.

BLITZER: And you're reducing the price of tickets for little kids, too, right?

TOBONI: That's correct, yes.

BLITZER: $5 and $10 tickets.

TOBONI: That's right.

BLITZER: Normally they could be $50 or a hundred dollars and these tickets are going to be a lot less.

TOBONI: Yes. We want to make it welcoming for them, and we want to, bring on kids and have them basically fill up the park and, and really come to enjoy the game that I and we have really come to enjoy.

BLITZER: And for you, it's very personal. You have four little boys, right?

TOBONI: Four, four boys. Yes. We go 7, 5, 3, and one. So, they'll be at Nats games all throughout the summer, throughout the fall.

BLITZER: I'm sure I'll be looking forward to it. Quick question on Slugger food. What are we talking about here?

TOBONI: Slugger food? You know, honestly, this is something that --

BLITZER: At Nats Park.

TOBONI: Yes. We want to create, like I said, an environment where we have food and beverages that fit like all types of customers. And from our kids to our adults that are coming into the games, we want to be able to make sure that they're taken care of.

BLITZER: Have you tried it?

TOBONI: I have not yet.

BLITZER: All right.

TOBONI: Yes.

BLITZER: I haven't either. We'll see what happens.

TOBONI: Yes.

BLITZER: Hey, Paul, as we say, go Nats.

TOBONI: Yes, go Nats.

BLITZER: All right. Thanks very much.

BROWN: Excited about those cheaper tickets for kids.

BLITZER: That's right.

BROWN: We'll look into that. All right. The next hour of the Situation Room starts right now.

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