Return to Transcripts main page

Early Start with Rahel Solomon

Trump Says Leaders Of Israel, Lebanon To Speak Today; White House: Feel Good About Prospects Of Deal With Iran; Ukraine: Russia Launched Massive Drone, Missile Attacks. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired April 16, 2026 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:36]

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to our viewers joining us here in the United States and all around the world. I'm Omar Jimenez in New York, where it's 5:00 a.m.

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Becky Anderson, live from our Middle East programming hub here in Abu Dhabi in the UAE, where it is one in the afternoon.

Can we begin with breaking news in the fighting between Israel and the Iran backed proxy, Hezbollah?

U.S. President Donald Trump says the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak today, the first such talks in more than 30 years. An Israeli official says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun, will take part.

Meanwhile, the U.S., sounding optimistic about the possibility of ending the war with Iran.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says the White House feels good about the prospects for a deal.

And here is what President Trump had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARIA BARTIROMO, FOX NEWS HOST: Is this war over?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think it's close to over. Yeah. I mean, I view it as very close to over. You know what? If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIMENEZ: Well, a delegation from Pakistan is in Tehran, where they are expected to resume talks today about a second round of negotiations with the U.S. Iran's foreign minister welcomed the visit, saying Tehran is committed to peace and stability in the region. Well, the White House says the -- despite the exchange of messages

between the U.S. and Iran, reports of a ceasefire extension are not true.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAROLINE LEAVITT, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: These conversations are productive and ongoing, and that's where we are right now. I saw some reporting again, bad reporting this morning that we had formally requested an extension of the ceasefire. That is not true at this moment. We remain very much engaged in these negotiations, in these talks

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: CNN's international diplomatic editor live this hour from Islamabad, Pakistan.

I want to begin with our Jerusalem bureau chief, Oren Liebermann, though. Stand by, Nic, if you will.

Oren, just get us up to speed on what we understand to be happening now at the highest levels between Israel and Lebanon.

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at some point today, it's unclear exactly when that will happen. We've learned that from an Israeli source. The Lebanese government has not commented on this at this point. So we are waiting for what would be an historic call.

It was President Donald Trump who announced that he had set up this call and that the U.S. had pushed for this conversation. He said it would give, quote, a little breathing room for Israel and Lebanon as the U.S. clearly pushing here for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran's proxy, Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Trump said on his social media site that this would be the first such call in like 34 years. But it's unclear what discussion he was talking to there. It's possible those were the Madrid talks. Were both Israel and Lebanon took part, although there are no known direct contacts between the countries at those talks, the last known direct contact between Israel and Lebanon was back in 1982 between Israel's then prime minister and Lebanon's president elect, who was assassinated two weeks after that call.

That just gives you a sense of how historic and a landmark moment the call would be. But crucially, that doesn't mean that the ceasefire deal the U.S. is pushing for would actually happen. There was a first day of talks under U.S. auspices in Washington, D.C. between the ambassadors from Israel and Lebanon. They essentially agreed to establish a framework for continued talks.

But as we've seen so many times in this region, that's simply not enough. And we're not there yet. Israel's security cabinet did discuss the possibility of a ceasefire at a security cabinet meeting last night in Jerusalem, but there was no discussion out of that and certainly no announcement of a ceasefire.

In fact, within the last half hour, we saw the Israeli military put out a statement that some of their elite units operating in southern Lebanon had, in their words, dismantled Hezbollah infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon, 70 such sites in one minute. So this war is still very much a hot war.

[05:05:01]

Meanwhile, it's really only the U.S. that can make progress here. And it seems the world is aware of that. The U.N. pushing for these talks to succeed, but it's the U.S. with the leverage.

Here is what a U.N. deputy spokesperson had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FARHAN HAQ, DEPUTY U.N. SPOKESPERSON: Turning to Lebanon, I can tell you that we welcome yesterdays meeting between Lebanon and Israel, convened by the United States. The meeting constitutes an important first step to end the hostilities and towards breaking the recurrent rounds of violence that have caused considerable suffering for too long, maintaining dialogue will be essential in resolving outstanding issues and achieving progress towards stability. We remain ready to support these efforts and continue to urge the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIEBERMANN: Israel had tried to keep the arena and the war in Lebanon separate from the discussions between the U.S. and Iran to try to get to a ceasefire there. But it's also very clear at this point that Trump is pushing for this Lebanon ceasefire, as the White House is going for and trying to see if its possible to have a ceasefire with Iran as well. So, of course, Becky, as you well know, the region very much linked.

ANDERSON: Yeah. And there's a truce. And then there is, of course, a sort of permanent solution to these things. When you -- when you talk to people in Lebanon, many will tell you they're not just looking for a sort of temporary truce at this point. You know, this is an opportunity to see beyond this sort of cycle of conflict.

It's good to have you, Oren. Very complicated, but fascinating times here in region. And we will keep our viewers bang up to date. Thank you.

Let's get you to Islamabad in Pakistan then, where Nic Robertson is standing by.

And, Nic, Karoline Leavitt yesterday said the U.S. hasn't looked for a formal extension of this ceasefire. So as things stand today, tell me what your sources there are telling you about what happens between today, Thursday and the end of the ceasefire, this two-week ceasefire, which would, of course be Tuesday next week, there's some sort of 96 hours in that time. What happens? NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yeah, I think

just to pick up off the back of what Oren was talking about there in that discussion about the importance of if it happens, what it's like, what's said, the call between Israel and Lebanon, is reflected in what we heard from the foreign ministry briefing here this morning that the issue of Hezbollah, Israel ceasefire being part of the bigger ceasefire, that Iran wants to see, to your point that people in Lebanon want to see something that's lasting and continuous. That's what Iran is aspiring for at the moment.

So those issues still, as they have been contentious before, still very much interlinked.

Look, I think apropos the 96 hours until the ceasefire expires and no extension gone for at the moment, it does seem that diplomacy is running on its track. You have this high level, the field marshal, Asim Munir, the interior minister in Tehran meeting last night with the foreign minister there, talks again today.

And look, remembering this as well, that when J.D. Vance came into Pakistan over the weekend, the Pakistani view was, look, if the U.S. just spends a bit of time on the ground, they can really make some progress and nail down issues. Now, undoubtedly, what the Pakistanis are trying to do here is to convince the Iranians to soften their position, to try to sort of meet the U.S., where the U.S., J.D. Vance left saying best and final offer.

So that's -- that will be the tone of what's going on behind the scenes in Tehran. But the Pakistanis seem to be taking a sort of a more pragmatic view in their diplomacy here. And as they had thought best approach was to just take a little time. So I think that's the space were in at the moment.

And perhaps noteworthy, the head of Iran's atomic energy authority, the chief there who was at a rally in Tehran last night saying, look, if these talks go on where there is a lack of trust, where there is deception, then the things can't go well. And I think that speaks to the Iranian concern that we've heard them talk about, that they feel that they go into the talks and the goalposts get moved.

But the U.S. position does seem to be very clear on the nuclear issue. But the 96 hours, I would say that's being used by diplomatic means. And I think another key takeaway here is, look, Strait of Hormuz, the Iran-U.S. -- no one's firing shots at the moment. And that means both sides do want to give this diplomatic push a chance.

ANDERSON: Good to have you. Thank you. Nic Robertson is in Islamabad.

Look, I want to get you to Karachi now, former Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is joining us now.

And it's really good to have you. Thank you very much indeed.

Can you just -- before we do a deep dive on what we think might happen next, just provide some context here.

Just how important is it to Pakistan that it is the chief and lead, if not only negotiator or mediator at this point in these talks

BILAWAL BHUTTO ZARDARI, FORMER PAKISTANI FOREIGN MINISTER: Thank you so much for having me. As far as how important it is to Pakistan, I think its as important as it is to everyone in the international community, as we witnessed during this conflict, the sheer cost of this conflict, not only in terms of human life, but obviously in Iran, but across the Middle East. And then also the economic costs that no country was isolated from its impact. So, Pakistan's stakes in peace is just as much, everybody as everybody else in the international community.

We believe that peace through dialogue and diplomacy is the only way forward. No one can afford, a World War III scenario or a great depression or the economic consequences of such a conflict. So, we all hoping that these talks succeed.

ANDERSON: After hosting Pakistan's army chief, Iran's foreign minister said that Tehran remains committed to regional stability. He also said, quote, I'm very pleased to have welcomed Field Marshal Munir to Iran. Trust has been broken, of course, between Iran and Washington. Iran, calling this administration untrustworthy.

Iran is, you know, really created a real fissure between Iran and its gulf neighbors.

How does Pakistan navigate this and ensure that these -- these talks can be kept on track? Pakistan now really does seem like Iran's only viable partner at this point.

ZARDARI: Pakistan is certainly, taking all our efforts to achieve and sustain peace. I don't think that diplomacy is an event. It's a process. And what we saw manifest in Islamabad, post the ceasefire was also a result of a process, of a consistent diplomacy and engagement with all sides involving a lot of actors to try and create this diplomatic space necessary for that ceasefire.

And then whether it's the Marshall Asim Munir's visit to Iran, or conversations that may be going on in the background, they're all part of a process where were trying to sustain this ceasefire and achieve a more permanent peace in the region. Of course, as you mentioned, this trust deficits between the parties, but through diplomacy, we hope to at least, find a middle ground.

ANDERSON: Do you believe that this ceasefire will be sustained and extended post Tuesday? And do you see Pakistan actively pushing Iran, the states to bring Lebanon into these current proceedings?

ZARDARI: I think that as far as ceasefire is concerned, it's the biggest significant achievement so far is that we've not only managed to attain the ceasefire, but sustain it up until now. You're absolutely right that the deadline is looming. I think on Tuesday, our efforts between Pakistan and the warring countries would be first to ensure that we achieve success before the deadline before considering the requirement of extending a deadline.

ANDERSON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has just met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah. How much is Pakistan's position being shaped by its security alignment and deepened relationship these days with Saudi Arabia?

ZARDARI: I'm sure all countries have their own contacts, as far as the consequences of this conflict with Iran and Pakistan's perspective vis-a-vis the GCC countries, by and large, and specifically Saudi Arabia, we have recently entered into a security we've always had security arrangements with Saudi Arabia, but the most recent security agreement between the two countries, have a explicit understanding that an attack on either country will be -- would be perceived as an attack on the other.

So, obviously, that raises the strategic stakes of the current conflict, and potentially if this conflict, escalates.

[05:15:01]

What I would say is that not only Pakistan, but the entire international community appreciates Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC for the bravery with which they were stood up for the entire six weeks period of this conflict, a whole bombardment and assault. And not only did they sort of experience that with bravery, but with great patience, which allowed for the diplomatic space possible for us to achieve the current ceasefire.

ANDERSON: Final question to you. Pakistan has been impacted as so many countries have around the world, by the rise in energy prices, by the issues of energy security. I mean, things are really tough in a country where things were tough anyway. There's something like $16 billion worth of reserves left. You've been, you know, encouraged to pay back an outstanding loan to the UAE, where I am, for example, of $3 billion. There are offers of support from Saudi and from Qatar.

What does Pakistan further need from these sort of burgeoning relationships or deepening relationships that it has for example with these countries around this region, including of course, Turkey?

ZARDARI: Pakistan has fantastic relations with all the GCC member countries. As far as our economic arrangements with the same states, there are certain commercial economic engagements. And as far as the loan from the UAE and a couple of other repayments, within this time frame, I think Pakistan was prepared to make these payments.

As far as the broader impact of this conflict, that is affected the average citizen across the world, this war has not only seen a sort of catastrophic loss of human life, but the economic cost of this conflict is borne by the citizen of Karachi just as much as the citizen of Dubai, as much as the citizen of London, of Melbourne, of New York. They feel the price of this war at the petrol pump, at the grocery store. It's made the cost of living just go up.

And I think that we -- that this is why the entire international community are trying to ensure that we achieve peace and avoid a broader conflict

ANDERSON: Bilawal, it's always good to speak to you, particularly today, really important times. Pakistan playing a significant role on the international stage here as we seek a solution to these current crises. Thank you very much indeed for joining us.

Well, Russian drones and missiles rained down on Ukraine in one of the Kremlin's largest attacks of the year. Details on those deadly strikes up next.

Plus, Pope Leo says he has a message the world needs to hear. Details on that as he presses ahead with his tour of Africa.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:22:56]

JIMENEZ: Ukraine is recovering from a massive drone and missile attack from Russia. Officials say nearly 700 drones and dozens of missiles were launched over the past 24 hours, killing at least 16 people across the country.

Now, state emergency services say the strike set off fires and caused damage in Kyiv and other major cities, and the attack follows a brief ceasefire declared over Orthodox Easter last weekend.

I want to bring in Clare Sebastian, who is following these developments for us, and she joins us now from London.

Clare, what is the latest here?

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. Good morning, Omar.

We're hearing the death toll is now up to 17, well over 100 injuries reported. Those deaths across four regions in what was, as you say, one of the biggest attacks of the year, coming just a few days after that Easter ceasefire. And that is, of course, something that Ukraine tends to expect, that when Russia announces these unilateral ceasefires, it does use that opportunity to sort of stockpile some of its missiles and drones and then launch even bigger attacks afterwards. This was not only overnight, but it was, you know, throughout Wednesday and then into the morning as well.

Both drones and ballistic missiles, and we're hearing, for example, a number of incidents that have arisen out of this. The Ukrainian national police are reporting that the -- that several police officers arrived on the scene of an attack in Kyiv, only to find themselves come under fire again. And what, of course, has become known as a double tap strike. And one police officer hospitalized as a result of injuries in Odessa, nine people were killed.

That southern port city we're hearing about a ballistic missile attack on that city in the morning hours. So this was very widespread, very intense attack. And I think you can see where the deficit is, if you look at the numbers of drones and missiles that were shot down in terms of air defense, right?

There were about 96 percent of the drones, according to Ukraine's air force statistics that were shot down or averted, but only 70 percent of missiles. And this is where we see President Zelenskyy sounding the alarm. He's been in several European capitals this week. He's met with the Ukraine defense contact group, which coordinates military aid for Ukraine.

He has secured a number of new pledges in terms of missile defense.

[05:25:03]

But he is saying this morning that these pledges are not translating to deliveries fast enough. And he has instructed the commander of the air force to reach out to partners this morning to try to speed things up. He said he expects a report. So this is, you know, obviously, as a result, partly of the war with Iran, Ukraine feeling the shortage in terms of these air defenses, even as Russia steps up attacks -- Omar.

JIMENEZ: All right. Clare Sebastian for us from London, appreciate the reporting.

All right. Meanwhile, coming up for us, a warning from a top member of U.S. Congress to the Trump administration. Stop this back and forth with the pope. That story just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JIMENEZ: Severe weather once again threatened millions across the Midwestern United States on Wednesday.