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What We Know with Max Foster
Sources: Trump Doesn't Want To Give Iran Time To Drag Out Talks; Iranian Official: Talks Will Resume Once U.S. Lifts Blockade; Zelenskyy: Newly Approved E.U. Loan Is Lifeline To Ukraine; Israeli Settlers Kill Two, Including Palestinian Schoolboy; 10 People Tied To Sensitive U.S. Research Missing Or Dead; White House Press Secretary Addresses U.S.-Iran Ceasefire; Lawmakers Grill U.S. Health Secretary On Vaccine Policy. Aired 3-4p ET
Aired April 22, 2026 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[15:00:25]
MAX FOSTER, CNN HOST: How long will Donald Trump's ceasefire extension last?
This is WHAT WE KNOW.
U.S. President Donald Trump planning to give Iran a limited time frame to return to the bargaining table. Sources tell CNN the administration doesn't
want to extend the current ceasefire indefinitely or allow Tehran to drag out the talks. The president says more time is needed because he believes
Iran's leadership is seriously fractured.
Iranian officials say they won't agree to a second round of negotiations until the U.S. ends its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Senior White House correspondent Kristen Holmes is with us.
Yesterday, the deadline felt very firm, but it's moved again, Kristen.
KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUES CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. And this is one of several times that we've seen it move. And we're talking to senior
administration officials who are saying that this timeline is going to be more like days than months, but it's clear that they are intentionally not
putting a date on it.
And that is because we've seen President Trump on a number of occasions get out there, set a deadline, say he doesn't want to extend that deadline and
then end up extending it because a deal might be on the way, or they believe that something is in the works. Or in this case, they said that
they believe the Iranian government is fractured and they aren't getting what they need in order to actually negotiate.
Now, one of the things that we had heard yesterday, part of the reason for the extension of the ceasefire has been this silence from Iran. And inside
of the administration, inside the White House, they believe that part of the silence is because they, the Iranians, cannot agree on a unified
proposal to come back to the negotiating table with, that there are all these factions. That's why you heard President Trump mention this within
the government, because of the leadership that has been killed throughout this process, and they have not agreed on one thing to come to the table
with.
And I was talking to one U.S. official who was telling me that they have heard snippets of various different proposals, but they aren't aligned. And
because of that, they believe that that's why they're not hearing from the Iranians.
But again, the big question is, how long will this go on? Of course, they're saying they don't want this to be indefinite, but they aren't
giving any sort of a timeline here. The other issue is when it comes to how long this is, you also have this blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, which is
going to have a global impact. It's already having a global economic impact that is going to continue. So, the big question is, if we're leaving the
ceasefire in place and we are leaving the blockade in place, what does that mean for the world as a whole to move forward?
And right now, we just don't have any answers. We have been told President Trump does not want to lift that blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. They
view that as an enormous amount of leverage that the United States has going into these negotiations.
But again, Iran is saying they will not go in for another round of negotiations if that blockade is still in place. So, there are a lot of
moving parts here, and were not entirely sure where this is going to land. As you noted, President Trump spent multiple days, even a week talking
about how this second round of negotiations was certainly going to happen.
Of course, they never happened. Vice President Vance never got on the plane. So what are the next steps here? And we really don't have answers on
that.
FOSTER: Is it -- is it Pakistan that they're dealing with mainly, or are they speaking directly to Iran?
HOLMES: It's Pakistan that they're dealing with directly. They are not in constant direct contact with the Iranians. And that's what we were told
yesterday, too. They were hearing nothing from the Iranians, but they are still in direct contact and regular contact with the Pakistanis, who they
have been really effusive.
This White House, the president himself over there negotiating help that we've seen as an intermediary here. And they've continued to say that they
are still in touch with them, but it's still unclear that the Pakistanis have even gotten any kind of clear negotiating proposal, unified proposal
there. And that's -- that is where this all comes into play, largely.
How exactly are they going to get a deal to the table if this if the factions inside Iran cant agree? And if they're not communicating that to
the Pakistanis, who then would communicate it to the United States?
FOSTER: Okay. Kristen, at the White House, appreciate it as ever. Thank you.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it has seized two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, ratcheting up those tensions along the critical waterway. U.K.
maritime officials say the Iranians fired on one ship without warning. A third ship, which is Greek owned, is now disabled off Iran's coast after
being targeted by the IRGC, Iran's top negotiator says the us blockade in the strait violates the current ceasefire and prevents it from reopening.
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Greece's foreign minister is now -- we're going to go to Nic Robertson actually on this because Nic Robertson is in Islamabad for us.
So, we're just hearing there from Kristen, Nic, saying that all the negotiation is going through Pakistan. But there's an issue, they think,
with the Iranian side, because it's fractured. They don't know who to deal with. What are you hearing?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yeah. The president of Iran said that is just, you know, propaganda from the United States that
they have unity and various other officials have said, you know, we're acting in our national interest when we see the situation is right for us
to go into talks, then we will. You know, there are a couple of takeaways from President Trump's statement last night. One is that he extended the
ceasefire, and then we've heard the Iranians come back. Multiple officials have come back and said we didn't ask for a ceasefire. And then we heard
from the spokesman at the foreign ministry today saying Iran hasn't taken a position on this announcement of an extension of a ceasefire. So they've
kind of sort of just moved that to one side.
I think from the diplomatic activity, we could see here yesterday, there is some reason to believe that Iran didn't want to come into negotiations with
the threat of a ceasefire expiring hanging over their heads. So, if they didn't ask for it explicitly, it does seem as if there was no evidence to
support that they would have wanted it. So they've moved on from that.
The thing that president didn't -- President Trump also said in his Truth Social post last night was, I'm not lifting the blockade on the Strait of
Hormuz, and that, I think, has directly led to the reaction that we've seen from the IRGC shooting up a couple of vessels, taking a couple under
control in the Strait of Hormuz.
That's Iran's answer. And that politically, they just continue to double down. As they were saying before, that it is the blockade, the U.S.
blockade on the Strait of Hormuz that's really holding things up now, you know the idea the Iranians are putting forward is that if the United States
lifts that, we can build some trust back in the United States, and then it becomes worth going back into -- into talks. And that seems to be where the
process is at right now.
It was significant, in part, that the Iranian ambassador here came and met with Pakistan's prime minister earlier in the day. I think that was a very
sort of public display, that diplomacy is still in play. And I know, negotiators here in Islamabad, Pakistan, negotiators still remain hopeful
that they can get Iran to the table, still remain hopeful that if they can, that they can actually achieve some sort of agreement.
And on that point, the heart of the city here still remains on lockdown. The hotels that are waiting for the -- for the visiting delegations,
they're still empty. The venue is for the talks is still empty.
So, the anticipation and the hope is there, behind the scenes, what is it going to take for Iran to get out of its current position? Well, they're
making pretty clear diplomatically and militarily, it's the Strait of Hormuz, which last week they opened, and then they were dismayed that
President Trump kept the U.S. blockade -- kept the U.S. blockade in place. And we still don't seem to have moved beyond that fundamental position and
the military escalation in the meantime, Max.
FOSTER: Okay. Nic in Islamabad, thank you.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia's war on his country cannot be forgotten while the world focuses on Iran. He's calling on the
U.S. to renew talks on Ukraine, saying it's a big risk to believe one war must end before you can mediate another.
Mr. Zelensky also welcomed a $106 billion loan just approved by the European Union, calling it a lifeline for Ukraine. He says the funds are
urgently needed to scale up weapons production.
Those remarks came in an interview with our chief international anchor, Christiane Amanpour, and here is more of that conversation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: We had the packages according to our negotiations with the European, France and with American partners. We
had our program pull through this program. We can and could buy anti- ballistic missiles for systems Patriots and -- Patriot systems and also some other weapon, which is very important for us, which is which -- which
we don't have in our European neighbors.
So, this is very important. And, of course, according to the big challenge in the Middle East, war in Iran and all these packages are in risk.
So, we had some, God bless that United States didn't close intelligence for us and didn't stop anti-ballistic missiles.
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But be honest, small number. We had not too much, really not too much. We understand why because the production in the United States is not so big,
as all, not only Ukraine, other partners, really wait and count on.
So that's why this is a big challenge. And if the war will continue or ceasefire will be delayed or -- I mean, this something will be not good.
And I think that we will not have maybe, maybe we will have more risks with anti-ballistic.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: You've said for Putin, a long war in Iran is a plus. President Trump has essentially. I
don't think he's called it a ceasefire. I mean, they've extended it until they can get proper negotiations with Iran. Is this -- do you think this is
hopeful? The fact that the hot war is on, maybe being shelved for the moment.
ZELENSKYY: In any way, I don't know if it's ceasefire or not, but in any way, any pauses in any war. I think this is good because during any kind of
pauses, you don't lose people. The biggest challenge for any country, for any nation, any religion and et cetera., is to lose people. That's why any
pauses -- and between us, there is no, there is no price for such pauses.
If you can save people, great. So we support ceasefire. We support any pauses between us. Sometimes during Easter, during Christmas, during New
Year, during any kind of even days when people can have, I don't know, just meetings with their children when soldiers can write a letter, speak and
have some rest. And I think it's great. So any pauses.
Of course, peace is the best way for ending war, long lasting peace. But if it's not -- I mean, this possible, for today, but any pauses are great.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Lebanese negotiators preparing to ask for a month-long extension of a fragile ceasefire with Israel. That is, according to a political
source who spoke to CNN.
The White House is scheduled to host a second round of talks tomorrow between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the U.S. Israel's fight is
with Hezbollah, but Hezbollah will not be actually at the table.
Now, Palestinians are describing the terrifying moments meanwhile, when Israeli settlers attacked a school in the occupied West Bank, killing two
people, including a 14-year-old boy. Video from the scene shows a man in military fatigues armed with a rifle, crouching and firing at least eight
rounds towards the school. One student says the boy who died was shot in the head.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PALESTINIAN STUDENT (through translator): We were in the classrooms inside the school, we saw a settler firing live ammunition towards the classrooms,
children and teachers. He shot at the classroom windows, and we were trapped in that area because we were very scared. We didn't know where to
go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Jeremy Diamond covering developments from Tel Aviv.
I mean, shocking story on the face of it. What's Israel saying about this?
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, that's right. The Israeli military is now confirming to us that a criminal military
investigation has been launched into this reservist who appears to have been the settler who opened fire on this school. They say that he's been
suspended from further reserve duty pending the results of that investigation. But unfortunately, Max, as you know, all too often these
incidents result in a lack of accountability.
And what we have seen so far in the West Bank since the war in Iran began has been a rise of unchecked settler violence targeting Palestinians, all
in what seems to be part of an effort to intimidate them and try and force them from their homes. Now, as it relates to this specific incident, the
Israeli military is also saying that the incident began when they say Palestinians were hurling rocks at passing Israeli vehicles. And in one of
those vehicles, they say, was this Israeli reservist who came out and began firing at this school.
And in one of the videos, you can see a man who appears to be in Israeli military fatigues aiming his rifle in the direction of the school, firing
at least eight rounds. In the snippet of the video that we have been able to obtain as a result of this, two people were killed. A 14-year-old boy
named Aws Al-Naasan and a 32 year old man, Jihad Abu Naim, who lived in a house near that school and had come towards the school when he heard the
sound of gunfire.
And this was one of several incidents that we saw this week, Max, involving attacks on education in the West Bank.
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We saw earlier this week as settlers began bulldozing a school near that village of Tayasir in the West Bank, where a few weeks ago, my team and I
were reporting there when we were detained by Israeli soldiers. The bulldozing seems to have happened in full view of an Israeli military
position, but the soldiers at that position didn't do anything to stop that bulldozing from taking place. And then we have another incident in the
southern part of the West Bank, near the Palestinian village of Um al- Kheir, where settlers in that area apparently erected barbed wire fencing that has prevented children from getting to their school, from reaching the
road that allows them to get to their school.
We've seen daily images now of children in that area protesting children who seem to be as young as five or six holding signs, talking about their
desire to get an education, saying let kids learn. We miss our school -- Max.
FOSTER: Okay. Jeremy, thank you.
Coming up, at least 10 people connected to sensitive U.S. research have died or gone missing in recent years. Why? The federal government is now
looking into it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: At least 10 people connected to sensitive U.S. nuclear and aerospace research have died or disappeared in recent years. It's sparking
a new investigation. They include a nuclear physicist shot outside his Massachusetts home, a retired Air Force general missing in New Mexico, and
an aerospace engineer who disappeared during a hike in Los Angeles.
The Republican-led House Oversight Committee says it will now investigate the various cases.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. JAMES COMER (R-KY): It does appear that there's a high possibility that something sinister is taking place here. It's very unlikely that this
is a coincidence.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: It's important to note the cases vary widely in circumstances, and authorities haven't established any links between them yet.
NASA scientist David Michael -- David Michael Hicks, who died in 2023. His daughter says the recent speculation has her shaken up. She says she
doesn't believe there's a connection to his death and the other cases.
Now what we don't know is why is Congress investigating these dead scientists?
Joining me now is Congressman Suhas Subramanyam. He's a Democrat who sits on the House Oversight Committee.
Thank you so much for joining us.
I just wonder how this came to your attention because these cases have existed for a while, haven't they? But only recently have they been linked.
REP. SUHAS SUBRAMANYAM (D-VA): Yeah. You know, we didn't really hear about the first two or three cases. Certainly, things happen to people who have
specific skills and knowledge. And then it kept happening.
And I think at some point people started seeing a pattern. And so, if you look at each one of them individually, there are explanations for almost
all of them. Good explanations. One that don't point to any sort of, coordinated effort.
But if you look at them all together, given the time frame and all of these, incidents, it could be something.
I don't want to say it's likely. I wouldn't agree with the chairman that it's very likely that this is, you know, part of some coordinated effort,
but there's certainly enough happening to where it's worth looking into.
FOSTER: We heard from one relative there, but what's your understanding of the other relatives? Do they want to find out if there's anything going on
here, or are they quite comfortable with the outcomes of their individual cases?
SUBRAMANYAM: You know, that's why we want to do some investigation is we want to talk to the relatives. For instance, we want to talk to
authorities. We wanted to see, you know, what each of those folks were working on, if they're working on anything sensitive.
So, we want to do some of this fact-finding. We know the FBI is also looking into this as well. And so, you know, we would be, you know, not the
first to do an investigation, but we would ultimately like to make sure I make certain that this isn't part of a coordinated effort and, say, by a
foreign adversary who is trying to, you know, undermine or get to any sort of, expertise or intelligence that we have.
FOSTER: Is that where your investigation would start? Because you've got to start somewhere, haven't you? Even though, as you say, you're not quite
clear on what's happening here, but, more of an international interference potentially rather than a domestic one.
SUBRAMANYAM: Well, you know, I would like to get people such as the families and such as, coworkers to interview with our committee. I think
part of the problem is our oversight committee right now is not actually holding hearings. They are holding roundtables instead. So we're not able
to swear in people, this is an issue because the Republicans are trying to skirt a sort of accountability on the Epstein files, which is a different
issue.
So, that makes our committees job a little bit harder to do. A full investigation of this. But certainly, we're going to be working with the
Republicans on just getting all the facts and trying to see if this is part of a coordinated effort or if this is simply just a very odd coincidence.
FOSTER: How's that working with the Republicans? Are you all on the same page? Pretty much on this?
SUBRAMANYAM: We're not. I mean, I heard about the launch of the investigation from the chairman. I was not told that investigation would be
launched. But with that said, I -- I don't oppose an investigation, but now that we're doing it, I would want to make sure that we're doing it properly
and that we're using all the tools that we have at our disposal.
So, you know, the direction of this in the end, the chairman and the majority, which are Republicans have more of a say on the direction. But,
you know, we're open to being collaborative on this.
FOSTER: Because, you know, obviously put the families, first here. You mentioned that earlier on, but we obviously heard from one daughter saying
none of this speculation is helping. It's -- she actually feels very shaken up by it.
You've got a responsibility there as well, haven't you? Not trying to create something that makes people feel uncomfortable without any sort of
evidence.
SUBRAMANYAM: Yeah. I think the reality is it's already been created. There's already a lot of people in the general public who are sort of
concerned about what's going on and this pattern that they see.
And so it's our job, I think, to look into whether this is part of a concerted effort by, you know, an outside group or foreign adversary, or if
this is simply a coincidence and if it is a coincidence, then reassure the public that there's, you know, really nothing to be concerned about.
[15:25:02]
If this is part of a coordinated effort, then we need to look into security for people in certain jobs or who have certain knowledge.
FOSTER: Okay. Suhas, I really appreciate your time with us today. Fascinating case and we look forward to some updates. Thank you.
We're going to go to another part of Washington now, though, the White House, where the press secretary is speaking.
KAROLINE LEAVITT, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Vessels that are moving to and from Iranian ports, we are completely strangling their economy through
this blockade. They're losing $500 million a day. The Kharg Island is completely full. They can't move oil in and out. They can't even pay their
own people as a result of this economic leverage that President Trump has inflicted over them.
So, he's satisfied with that as we await their response and we will see the president has not set a firm deadline to receive an Iranian proposal,
unlike some of the reporting I've seen today. Ultimately, the timeline will be dictated by the commander in chief and the president of the United
States.
REPORTER: -- who is in charge in Iran and who the administration is even negotiating with?
LEAVITT: Well, we obviously know who were negotiating with because our negotiating team has sat down with those individuals in person. But
obviously, there's a lot of internal friction and internal division, which again, just proves the effectiveness of Operation Epic Fury in the first
place. Their regime and many of its leaders for nearly five decades have been wiped off the face of Planet Earth.
So again, the president is offering them a little bit of flexibility because we want to see a unified proposal to the presidents very strong
proposal. And he's made his red lines very clear. Again, the United States maintains control over this situation, leverage over the Iranian regime.
Not only have they been significantly weakened and obliterated militarily, but they are losing economically and financially every single moment that
passes with this blockade.
So, the president is going to continue to lead the free world to run the United States of America, as we await the Iranian response.
REPORTER: Thanks a lot, Karoline. Two questions. What's the ultimate goal of this blockade? Is it indefinite? And is the ceasefire that's in place
right now also indefinite?
LEAVITT: Look, again, I'm not going to set a timetable for the president. He has not done that and I won't. I know there's been some anonymous source
reporting that there was maybe a three to five-day deadline. That is not true.
The president has not set a deadline himself. Ultimately, he will dictate the timetable. And again, he is satisfied with the naval blockade. And he
understands that Iran is in a very weak position and the cards are in President Trump's hands right now.
REPORTER: On the issue of Virginia redistricting, if you weighed in this afternoon raising concerns about polls, why didn't he campaign more
actively against this referendum? Why -- why not spend time on Truth Social encouraging people to vote no before the vote than raise concerns
afterwards?
LEAVITT: That's a question that's political by nature. As you know, I'm not part of the president's political team anymore. I do sit here at the
White House as a government employee.
Look, the president has a lot on his plate, a lot on his schedule. He did host a telephone call the prior to the election, the night before, but he's
made his position on the result of this election clear to all.
Mary Bruce?
REPORTER: The president is not setting a deadline with this cease fire right now, but this war has already gone on longer than he said it would
initially. How long should Americans be prepared for this war to go on?
LEAVITT: Well, look, I think President Trump ultimately will dictate the timeline and he will do so when he feels is in the best interest of the
United States and the American people.
REPORTER: Thank you very much. So, in the same day, the president said that he doesn't want to extend the ceasefire and the bombs would start
falling after the end of the ceasefire. And unilaterally, he declared that the ceasefire would be extended indefinitely.
Iranian state media are openly mocking the president of the United States and saying they didn't even request the extension of the ceasefire. What's
the response from the president of the United States?
LEAVITT: The response is, you guys all see a lot of different messaging coming out of Iran, a lot of different rhetoric and language from them. I
would caution you to take anything that they say at face value. What we've seen is that what they say publicly is much different than what they
concede to the United States, and our negotiating team privately.
I've said that repeatedly to all of you in the news media, and you should take our word for it.
REPORTER: Karoline, there's been some reporting about a possible bailout for Spirit Airlines. Can you update us on those talks? And why does the
administration think it's a good investment to buy into a bankrupt airline?
LEAVITT: Well, I understand the airline is bankrupt because the previous administration blocked the merger, which was probably not a wise move.
Obviously, this is something the Commerce Department and the president are tracking. I don't have any updates or announcements, but the aviation
industry is very important to this president and this White House. Millions of Americans depend on it.
We want to see the best possible outcome. But I don't have any announcements.
REPORTER: Thank you so much, Karoline. So how long is the president willing to wait for the Iranians to come to the table? And does he trust
the Iranians to come to the table?
LEAVITT: Again, I've now been asked this question a few different times, a few different ways. I'm not going to set a deadline of the negotiations.
REPORTER: A lot of the negotiations, public statements that we've seen from the president on Truth Social and the Iranians on X, a lot of back and
forth there. Did the president's Truth Social post throughout the day ahead of these negotiations have a negative impact on the negotiations?
LEAVITT: I think -- look at where we are right now. The president chose to extend the ceasefire because its Iran who needs to get their act together.
The United States and President Trump have been very clear in our demands and our red lines and what we need to see in the best interest of the
American people in our country and our allies from the very beginning. So, the short answer to your question is no.
REPORTER: Does the White House have an understanding at this point of who inside of Iran will have the final sign off on a deal?
LEAVITT: The White House and our intelligence community certainly has a good understanding. However, we want to see a unified response and a
unified proposal to the previous questions point, you see a lot of different messaging on social media from many people within the regime, and
a lot of that public nonsense is not what we hear from them privately.
But again, we want a unified response and that's what the president is awaiting. I'll leave our intelligence community and the president to
decide.
Nick, go ahead.
REPORTER: Thanks, Karoline.
Does the White House have a response to the DOJ's indictment of the SPLC, as well as the allegations that it was, you know, donated funds were used
to actually fund the very hate groups and racist groups that it denounced?
LEAVITT: Yeah, I saw the indictment yesterday. I saw the acting attorney general and FBI director do a press conference on it. It was quite shocking
to me to learn of the egregious violations of the law of the Southern Poverty Law Center was committing, and I think that's a story that should
be on the front page of every newspaper in this country, because they've obviously been duping their supporters and the American taxpayers for far
too long.
It's a criminal organization, clearly. And that's not our DOJ saying that or a Todd Blanche saying that. That's a grand jury indictment saying that.
FOSTER: So, we were hearing there from Karoline Leavitt, who was obviously speaking there at the White House. Making it clear that Donald Trump isn't
going to define an end to the current ceasefire. There were reports it could be a few days, but, Leavitt talking about the division within the
Iranian side, they know who they're dealing with.
They know who they've met, but they're not sure that the division within Iran is helping things. So, he's basically the president giving them time
to work that out, in terms of any sort of timeline, President Trump isn't revealing it, and she says it will be dictated by him. So, not a major
update, but the ceasefire does continue.
We'll be back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:36:33]
FOSTER: A cry for help today from the Persian Gulf. The International Transport Workers Federation says it has got more than 1,900 requests for
assistance from seafaring employees working on ships stuck in the Gulf and their families. Some are asking for enhanced pay. Some say they're running
short on food and water, and some say they just want to go home.
This comes as Iran and the U.S. have stepped up action against ships moving into and around the Strait of Hormuz.
So, what we want to know is how bad is the situation for stranded seafarers in the Persian Gulf.
Joining me now, Arsenio Dominguez, head of the International Maritime Organization.
Thank you so much for joining us, sir. Just give us some of the stories you've been hearing from the Gulf.
ARSENIO DOMINGUEZ, SECRETARY GENERAL, INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION: Thank you for the opportunity.
And the reality, as you said, is that as long as the crisis continue, it will get worse for the innocent seafarers that are trapped in there. We're
counting around 20,000 of them that have been in the Persian Gulf, not able to leave since this conflict started. And for the longer it goes, the more
difficult it will be to actually maintain the mental health, the levels of fatigue and stress. At the same time, the essential supplies that they need
for live -- to live on board the vessels.
We're talking about water, food and even fuel for the vessels to continue to be in the area.
FOSTER: Are they living off existing supplies? Presumably they can go to land and get other supplies.
DOMINGUEZ: But there are challenges to that. We have to remember that this is still an area in conflict, and that some port facilities have been
targeted and have been hit. Also, there's the challenges that the supplies are going up in cost. And of course, there's less supply that is also going
into these countries because shipping is not being able to operate in and out of the Strait of Hormuz.
So, there is still the challenge on the provision of supplies and the fact that very soon, if this extends, the countries in the regions will also
have problems.
FOSTER: Take us through the mental pressures they're living through. As you say, it's a war zone. They're concerned about being hit. They want to
get out, but they are going to be very concerned about going through the strait because of the threat of being hit for reasons way out of their
control. Just what is that like for the people on those ships?
DOMINGUEZ: It's very critical, the situation. And of course, it's still safer to be there than venturing, trying to go through the Strait of Hormuz
when there's the possibility of mines that can, of course, damage the ships, as well as the fact that they've been targeted by Iran if they cross
without any agreement of notifications to them.
And I had the opportunity to speak today with one seafarer that spent, nearly six weeks in the Persian Gulf, and it was terrible to listen to the
stress that he and his coworkers have been going through. The fact that at night, one of the main concerns was the debris of missiles that could fall
in these vessels. And of course, some of them are carrying fuel, which immediately will ignite the vessels themselves.
The fact that they have to change positions in order not to be targeted, they do get that support from the companies. And he was explaining in
particularly how it was in this situation that they even managed to get some supplies.
But they connect with each other in the different vessels that are all trapped there. Nearly 2,000 vessels, and they exchange their experiences
with all of them just want to live. They want to carry on back to their lives when they provide for everyone around the world. They don't feel that
they are recognized or even valued, and that being used as leverage.
FOSTER: Yeah, it's a tragic situation. Arsenio Dominguez, really appreciate you bringing that to light for us. Now, it's the final moments
of trade on Wall Street. Stocks are higher. The Dow is up around half a percent with even gains for the Nasdaq.
This is our Business Breakout.
Long airport security lines could soon return to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security has warned it does not have enough money to
pay employees through to next month, and a partial government shutdown has stopped funding to the DHS since February. The agency's chief says money
that was directed to the agency after an order from President Trump will run out in early May.
Shares in Spirit Airlines have more than doubled on reports that the Trump administration is planning to bail out the low-cost carrier. Spirit has
been in danger of going out of business for a while now, and rising jet fuel costs because of the Iran war have complicated plans to come out of
bankruptcy. The White House said a few minutes ago it was tracking developments with the airline.
Lufthansa group is canceling 20,000 short haul flights as it deals with soaring jet fuel costs and potential shortages. The canceled flights were
scheduled through October. Lufthansa says it will save 40,000 metric tons of fuel in the process.
The U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified before the Senate today. It was supposed to be a conversation about the commerce department
budget, but Lutnick was grilled about how he and the Trump administration have treated one of America's closest allies.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JEANNE SHAHEEN (D-NH): Secretary, last week, you said about Canada's economic strategy, and I quote, "they suck". How does insulting our closest
ally and neighbor help the businesses in my state of New Hampshire and states all across this country who are hurting because of the loss of
Canadian business and tourism?
HOWARD LUTNICK, COMMERCE SECRETARY: Canada's economy leans on 30 -- the incredible $30 trillion economy of America.
SHAHEEN: There's no doubt about that, Mr. Secretary. But insulting our closest ally and neighbor who provides a lot of business. We have a lot of
businesses in New Hampshire, small businesses who work on both sides of the border. We have all those Canadian visitors who are not coming because of
your comments and comments by the administration, how does that help our economy?
LUTNICK: It is outrageous that Canada will not put U.S. spirits on the shelf. It is insulting. It is disrespectful to America that they won't even
--
SHAHEEN: And my husband has a -- an interest in a company that has American spirits and they won't do it because of the insults from this
president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Howard Lutnick speaking to the committee there.
Still to come, the top U.S. health official also faced some tough questions and accusations today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MAGGIE HASSAN (D-NH): Promoting your own unqualified lackeys over doctors and scientists and promoting images where you think you look cool,
rather than messages that will help people live healthier lives.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: RFK Jr. defended his agency's spending and vaccine policy before lawmakers today. You'll hear from him after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. facing a grilling on Capitol Hill today. Lawmakers quizzing the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary on the
government's vaccine policy, measles outbreaks and a proposed budget that would slash health care spending.
Pushing back on claims he spread vaccine misinformation, Kennedy said the government advises every child get the measles vaccine.
CNN medical correspondent Meg Tirrell is here with us.
Meg, I mean, he's a controversial figure, isn't he? But did the committee get any clear answers on their concerns?
MEG TIRRELL, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's a good question. He definitely defended himself about what he has said about vaccines before.
And a key question, particularly for this committee, which is the Senate Health Committee, and it's the seventh committee of seven to hear from RFK
Jr. over the last week. One thing they're particularly interested in is what's going to happen with the CDC director nominee, Dr. Erica Schwarz,
because she is seen as a much more sort of typical solid public health choice for this role after a lot of turmoil for the CDC.
So, the Republican chair of the committee, Dr. Bill Cassidy, had this exchange about whether she'll have autonomy under RFK Jr.
Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BILL CASSIDY (R-LA): With the new CDC director, whomever, whoever she or he is. There are currently political appointees at CDC who have worked
to undermine trust in immunizations. Will the new director, whoever she is, have the right to make decisions independently of those of those political
appointees and or replace them? Or otherwise reassign them so they cannot continue to actively undermine trust in immunizations.
ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR., HHS SECRETARY: Your characterization of the political appointees is wrong. And, the CDC director has that power.
CASSIDY: Now -- so she will have -- if she wishes to -- if she wishes to make a decision independently of them, she shall be allowed to make that
decision independently? That's correct?
KENNEDY: Oh, yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TIRRELL: And of course, this line of questioning comes after the previous CDC Director, dr. Susan, served in the role for less than a month before
leaving over clashes with Kennedy over vaccine policy, although he claimed she left because he asked her if she was trustworthy and she said she
wasn't, something that she disputes.
But, Max, you can see why this committee, which is going to be the one voting on her confirmation, is curious about whether she'll have autonomy
to act as the CDC director.
FOSTER: Okay, Meg, appreciate it. Thank you for that.
Still to come, find out why right-wing Republicans are asking you questions about the 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:52:02]
FOSTER: Conspiracy theories about President Trump's first assassination attempt have reached a number of people in MAGA world. Some -- even some
liberals have entertained conspiracies about the Butler shooting since it happened. But more recently, notable figures in the right have been asking
questions, as Donie O'Sullivan reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARY MANN, ANTI-TRUMP PROTESTER: And what really frightens me and scares me and makes me angry is suddenly now, I'm in on a conspiracy theory.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If you want to really see something that said, take a look at what happened --
(GUNFIRE)
DONIE O'SULLIVAN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER (voice-over): Some liberals have long dabbled in conspiracy theories about the Trump assassination attempt
in Butler, Pennsylvania.
MANN: The first thing that ran through my head is because we cannot believe this man, ever, that it was somehow fake.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Like these women I met at an anti-Trump protest outside the RNC a couple of days after Butler.
O'SULLIVAN: So, you initially thought it was staged?
MANN: Yes. As we all did.
O'SULLIVAN: Do you still believe that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We don't know.
MANN: I'm not sure.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's not impossible.
MANN: But I couldn't help but wonder because we've been lied to over and over by this man. The way he came up and raised his fist and acted like it
was nothing.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Since the early days of the investigation, the FBI has repeatedly pushed back on conspiracy theories about Trump's would-
be assassin, Thomas Crooks, both Justice Departments under President Joe Biden and Donald Trump have found the same thing.
INTERVIEWER: Just to be clear, did Thomas Crooks act alone?
KASH PATEL, FBI DIRECTOR: Yes. Based on the evidence that we have, that is the conclusive finding of the matter.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): But over the last few weeks, as many are speaking out against the Iraq war --
TIM DILLON, COMEDIAN: Just admit you staged it in Butler. It was the heat of the campaign. People do crazy things in campaigns.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Prominent people who supported Trump's reelection campaign, like comedian Tim Dillon, have started to express doubts about
what happened in Butler that day. Trump survived, but Corey Comperatore, who was standing in the crowd behind him, died.
DILLON: Now, of course, a real person died, and that's terrible. RIP, and they should say that in high stakes things like this, stuff like that
happens.
TUCKER CARLSON, FORMER FOX NEWS HOST: Joe, thanks a lot for joining us.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Butler conspiracy theories really started to pick up in the MAGA world after Joe Kent appeared on the Tucker Carlson show
last month. Kent was a high-ranking intelligence official who resigned in protest over the Iran war.
JOE KENT, FORMER TRUMP INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL: I mean, we still don't know what happened in Butler. We don't know what happened with Charlie Kirk. And
by no means am I saying like, you know, the Israelis did this or any of that, but I'm saying there's a lot of unanswered questions there.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Tricia Hope, who is a Trump delegate at the RNC in 2024, has been vocal online about her doubts, posting since the attempt
on his life, Trump has shown no interest in investigating what really happened. He never mentions it. It's as if it never happened, except when
he tells us he took a bullet for us.
Marjorie Taylor Greene has shared Trisha's post, and she added over the weekend, "I'm not calling the Butler assassination a hoax, but there are a
lot of questions that deserve public answers."
[15:55:07]
CARLSON: The far more significant story involves the government, the DOJ and the FBI, which have hidden from the public what they know about Thomas
Crooks.
O'SULLIVAN: Donie O'Sullivan, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Finally, tonight, live pictures from Equatorial Guinea for you, where Pope Leo is wrapping up that African tour. We've had reports on
through the week.
The pontiff got a warm welcome on the first papal visit to the country since 1982, used the last full day of his four-nation tour to speak out
against wealth inequality, urging those present to help bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.
I'm Max Foster. That's WHAT WE KNOW. Do stay with CNN.
END
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