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U.S. Military: Blockade has "Completely Halted" Iran Trade; Trump: New Round of U.S.-Iran Talks "Could Be Happening" This Week; Camp Mystic's Future in Question. Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired April 15, 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]

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DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: So importantly, the great job that we've done, because there's no reason why the Republicans should be losing. These people, when -- they'll open up the borders again, they'll have transgender for everybody, they'll have men in women sports, they'll end no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security for our seniors, they'll end it all. And if people hear that, I don't see how we lose the election.

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PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: So, the big question is, of course, will Republicans be able to make the case to voters as this war drags on?

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: That is the question. And the President knows better than most because he's been through a midterm election cycle before. And as you well remember, as we covered the White House back then, Pamela, in 2018, the President's party took a drubbing that year in the House. So, that is what concerns many Republicans that I've talked to. Yes, the president's party, regardless if it's Democrat or Republican, usually suffers a defeat because it's the first time that voters can sort of weigh in on the agenda.

But as we sit here today on Tax Day, I'm struck by the degree to which he's not talking about affordability. This is something that Republicans by this point thought he would be talking about. How costs are down, obviously, because of the Iran war. They are not. So many, many challenges for the president. And again, he knows well the midterm election curse, if you will, for a sitting president. And with that narrow majority, it means Democrats certainly are enthusiastic about the fall.

BROWN: Certainly. And good reminder, it is Tax Day.

ZELENY: Right.

BROWN: Jeff Zeleny, thanks so much. Wolf.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: We're getting closer and closer to November in the midterm elections, to be sure. Just ahead, completely stopping economic trade in and out of Iran. That's what the U.S. Military Central Command is now touting some 36 hours after the start of the U.S. military blockade of Iranian ports. But will this put the pressure on Iran to make a permanent deal? The former U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper standing by to join us live in this situation.

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BLITZER: As the standoff between the United States and Iran worsens, the U.S. military says it is, quote, "completely halted" all trade to and from Iranian ports. In a post on social media, the U.S. military's central command says President Trump's blockade has been, quote, "fully implemented" less than 36 hours after it went into effect.

Let's discuss this and more with Trump's former defense secretary during his first term, Mark Esper. Secretary Esper, thanks so much for joining us. I know you've previously called this blockade a smart move, your words, but Iran is well known for its resolve under pressure. Will this move actually force them to quickly cut a peace deal with the U.S.?

MARK ESPER, FORMER TRUMP DEFENSE SECRETARY: Well, Wolf, I think it'll take time to see. We know that some experts have estimated that cutting off the Iranian ships going in and out of their ports hurts them to the tune of about $430 million a day because they ship out between 1.5 and 2 million barrels of oil a day and other energy supplies. So, it will take some time for that to clamp down to have an effect.

Now, what's interesting this morning is Iran threatened to retaliate back by shutting down further, not just the Strait, but the Gulf of Oman and importantly, the Red Sea. And of course, if they do that, if they got the ante there, that will cut off another 10, 12, 15 percent of commercial trade globally, which would have a further impact on the global economy.

BLITZER: It certainly would. Today, nearly, what, seven weeks since the war started, the president is giving his assessment of how things are going in Iran. Listen to this.

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TRUMP: They have no air force. Everything's been wiped out. They have no anti-aircraft equipment. They have no radar. They have no leaders. The leaders they have now, it's a new regime. OK. And we find them pretty reasonable, to be honest with you.

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BLITZER: So that sort of jumped out at me, Secretary, when he says that Iran has a pretty reasonable new regime. First of all, do you agree with that?

ESPER: Well, they have new leadership, that's for sure. But -- and the new leadership seems to be more hard line than the old leadership, which was one of the things that was often of concern when we talked about operations against Iranian leadership. I think the other point he said about the degradation of Iran's military, that's true. I think the United States military has done a very good job degrading the conventional capabilities of the Iranian military. I'm talking about the Navy, Air Force, their defense.

But they've still obviously demonstrated a capability to have to use asymmetric tactics against global shipping and against American forces, against Arab cities and, of course, Israel. So, I think there are two things that statement that caught my attention.

BLITZER: Yes, the fact that he's now saying this new leadership is reasonable, a lot of people, including yourself, clearly disagree. Trump says a second round of talks with Iran, in his words, could be happening in the next few days. The U.S. has called for a 20-year suspension of Iranian nuclear activity. Iran says it's willing to do just five years. The Trump team is proposing a full suspension of all nuclear activity, while the 2015 deal negotiated under then President Obama only limited Iran's uranium enrichment for 15 years.

Mr. Secretary, are you confident the U.S. can get a deal now that is better than the deal Trump withdrew from the Obama deal?

ESPER: Well, first of all, we know there's a Pakistani team in Tehran right now delivering a message from Washington, if reporting is correct. So, it'll be interesting to see how that plays out. I'm pleased to see that both sides are talking about negotiating further. That's good.

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But with regard to what you're saying, we don't have much detail other than what you laid out, Wolf. The Iranians apparently put down, as you said, a five-year moratorium on enrichment. The difference between the Obama deal was it was 15 years, but it allowed 3.67 percent of enrichment, which in my view, I think in the view of many, is they should not be allowed any enrichment.

I thought what was interesting coming out of the talks, though, was that President Trump said he was not happy with the position that the vice president put down at the table with regard to 20 years. He said they should have no enrichment at all. So, I actually believe that's the right position to take until -- unless and until this regime really changes.

But we'll see how this plays out. I think we need to get our position straight on our side. The president has laid down a hard marker on the nuclear side, and I hope he maintains that.

BLITZER: I thought it was also interesting that this week, President Trump said the U.S., and I'm quoting him now, "may stop by Cuba" after the war in Iran is done. I know you've called for the U.S. to be more focused on China. With the actions it's taken in Venezuela, Iran and possibly Cuba, is the Trump administration taking its eye off the ball right now? ESPER: Well, first of all, I think this conflict is likely going to go on several more weeks. We'll see what happens at the end of April 21st when the ceasefire ends. It'll be either extended or somebody will yield, or we'll be back to kinetic strikes against Iran. So, I think this is going to go on a while. And yes, I remain concerned about China because, look, there are only two countries that threaten us existentially. That's Russia and China.

And really, China is the growing strategic threat for this era, for this generation. And obviously, I want to see more focus there economically, diplomatically, militarily, everything we can do to deter a war with China, particularly in the Taiwan Strait.

BLITZER: All right. Thanks. Thanks so much, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Always good to have you with us in the Situation Room. Appreciate it.

ESPER: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: Pamela.

BROWN: All right. Wolf, coming up, Camp Mystic's future in question. A judge will soon decide whether the camp will reopen or remain closed. What we're hearing from today's testimony up next.

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BROWN: Happening now, emotional testimony underway. An illegal battle against Camp Mystic. It's the Texas summer camper. Dozens were killed during devastating flooding over the 4th of July last year. Yesterday, Edward Eastland, a camp director, broke down on the stand when asked about Cile Steward. She is the only camper who remains missing to this day.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You failed her, did you not, Mr. Eastland?

EDWARD EASTLAND, DIRECTOR, CAMP MYSTIC: I wish we had more information.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All the information was there for your entire family to see and utilize if you all had just stayed awake and looked.

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BROWN: Let's go live now to CNN correspondent Isabel Rosales. Isabel, very emotional testimony so far. What do we expect to hear today?

ISABEL ROSALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Pam, so far, three members of the Eastland family, which own and operate Camp Mystic, have testified. And as we speak, right here is a live image. One of the Eastland family members is up on the stand right now testifying. Now, this family, they want to reopen Camp Mystic, a portion of the campgrounds that did not flood July 4th of last year. They filed a license renewal for that. And we have this wrongful death lawsuit from one of the victims' families. Last month, a district judge in this case granted an injunction to temporarily shut down the camp's flooded areas. Camp Mystic challenged that injunction.

Now, today is the last day of this multi-day evidentiary hearing, where ultimately the judge will make the final decision on whether to continue her injunction, shutting down that portion of the camp or not. Here is a soundbite I want you to listen to of Ed Eastland's wife, what she said just yesterday.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is difficult to me to hear that it's been 34 years that you've been there. And you did this little to help save these children that were under your care. You knew the property. You knew the flood lines. You knew access points. Your children knew them. And these were first-year campers. You had 34 more years of experience than Cile. She needed your help, and you abandoned her, didn't you?

MARY LIZ EASTLAND, CAMP MYSTIC DIRECTOR: Yes.

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ROSALES: And there were these stunning admissions made in court yesterday by her husband, that he was asleep when these severe weather alerts came through, and that if they had acted sooner, the staff members, more people would have survived. But he said they couldn't have foreseen the severity of the storm.

BROWN: All right. Isabel Rosales, I know you'll continue to follow this today. We appreciate it. Wolf.

BLITZER: And coming up, hero principal, how he stopped a gunman at a high school as students sat nearby.

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BROWN: New this morning.

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Whoa. What is going on? Get me out of here. Get me out of here. Oh, my gosh. It's drum and sharks. Whoa, this is crazy. This is crazy.

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BROWN: I don't even know how he's laughing. Like, that is a terrifying scene. Professional surfer Brett Barley was about 300 yards off of North Carolina beach when he found himself surrounded by sharks. As you see right here, the sharks were in the midst of a feeding frenzy, he said. Barley said he stayed calm and was able to navigate out of the area safely, fortunately.

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Well, this is the news we all need. There is a new addition to the Smithsonian's National Zoo here in Washington. And she's about to make her public debut. Baby Asian elephant Lynh Mai is the first calf to join the National Zoo in nearly 25 years.

She is currently bonding with her herd and apparently our own Dana Bash and is ready for her public debut on April 22nd, a week from now. Don't worry, if you're not the district fans of Lynh Mai, we'll also be able to watch her from the zoo's elephant cam on the Smithsonian's website.

BLITZER: CNN's chief political correspondent and anchor of Inside Politics and State of the Union, Dana Bash, got to meet the VIE, the very important elephant. That's very, very important. Just ahead of her big debut. Dana's joining us here in the situation to tell us a little bit more about this elephant.

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT AND CNN ANCHOR, INSIDE POLITICS AND STATE OF THE UNION: OK. So, we all need a moment of soul cleansing and just a pure, unadulterated joy. And if you want to have that in your life, check out Lynh Mai. And I got to.

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ROBBIE CLARK, SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL ZOO AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY INSTITUTE: Lynh Mai.

BASH: There she is.

CLARK: Here. Good girl.

BASH: Hi, Lynh Mai.

CLARK: Good girl.

BASH: Hi. You're so cute. She weighs like 400 pounds right now?

CLARK: 440.

BASH: And she's going to get to be?

CLARK: As an adult, she'll be close to 8,000 pounds.

BASH: Wow. You are so cute.

CLARK: Not only is she going to use these giant ears as satellite dishes to bring in sound, the most important way that elephants communicate is through vibrations that travel through the ground.

BASH: Oh, wow.

CLARK: And she's going to be learning how to utilize her feet to listen to those messages, so they can communicate miles apart. Elephants can communicate 10, 12 miles apart just by utilizing that form of communication called infrasound. And it's basically a giant vibration that starts up here in her forehead. It resonates through her body.

Let's do it. I'm sure she's hungry. You're just going to place that bottle up over this so she can drink it.

BASH: Here you go, sweetie. Here you go.

CLARK: And lift the end of the bottle up. Fantastic. You can see how fast she consumes it.

BASH: Yes, really fast.

CLARK: You're her best friend in the whole world right now.

BASH: I've never had a friend like you.

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BASH: So, you see there, I mean, it's just cuteness overload.

BROWN: Yes.

BASH: She's so loving. You might be wondering why I'm feeding her a bottle. And it's sadly because her mother rejected her after she was born, which is incredibly sad. And it doesn't happen very often, I'm told by the people at the zoo. But it did happen. And -- but you see that she is there with an elephant. They're calling her Auntie. Her name is Swarna. And she was never able to have babies.

BROWN: Stop. This is --

BASH: She's 51 years old. And as soon as they introduced her to the baby elephant, they bonded. So, she has an adoptive mother.

BROWN: OK, I have chills.

BASH: I know. And they're trying to sort of make the connection, slowly but surely, with Linh Mai and her mother, who, of course, is still there with her. And, you know, they're not giving up on it. But in the meantime, they have fantastic zookeepers there who are just taking such good care of this baby calf.

Just real quick, just to give you an example, Asian elephants, apparently, not only are they very specific in what they consume, they are different from African elephants in how they do so. So, in order to get that formula, they found a company in Australia that makes formula just for Asian elephants.

BROWN: What?

BASH: Yes.

BROWN: Oh, my God.

BASH: But these are things I don't learn covering politics. And these are things that make me happy.

BROWN: I know. As I said, you're our chief elephant correspondent now. And I love that she just ran up right to you.

BASH: Well, I did have a bottle.

BROWN: OK. That's fair. You had bait.

BLITZER: Clearly, she loved Dana.

BROWN: Yes, she clearly did. And as you said, feeding her the bottle, you're her new best friend.

BASH: She's going to steal everybody's hearts. And as you said, you can check her out on the elephant cam.

BROWN: All right. Dana Bash.

BLITZER: But better to go in person, though.

BASH: It's better to go in person, if you can.

BROWN: Yes.

BASH: A good way to lower your blood pressure.

BROWN: Thank you for giving us -- giving me a break from the world for this.

BASH: Of course. We all need it. We all needed this break.

BROWN: Dana Bash, thank you so much. And you can watch Lynh Mai's full story today at 3:00 p.m. Eastern. And, of course, you can watch Dana weekdays at noon on Inside Politics right after the show right after the show.

BLITZER: Right after the Situation Room. And the next hour of the Situation Room starts right now.

BROWN: And happening now, breaking news, pushing for a deal. President Trump now says he thinks the war with Iran is, quote, "close to being over." But he's also admitting there's going to be a hit to the economy. Congresswoman and Trump ally Elise Stefanik will join us here in the Situation Room to discuss.

BLITZER: Plus, new CNN reporting coming in. Why California Governor Gavin Newsom is now facing pressure to intervene in the race for his successor after Eric Swalwell dropped out.

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