Rescue in Iran: A Tense International Conflict Unfolds

State of the Union

CNN

News

3.4 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 5 April 2026

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

On Easter, Jake Tapper reports President Trump says US forces rescued a missing, seriously wounded airman in a risky overnight mission deep inside Iran after more than 24 hours evading capture; CNN details dozens of aircraft, commando units, CIA help, disinformation efforts, and at least two US aircraft lost and destroyed. Trump then posts a profane ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and threatens to target bridges and power plants, prompting discussion of shifting objectives and potential war-crime concerns; former advisor Brett McGurk and a panel debate strategy, messaging, and prospects for a deal. Tapper also interviews Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock on preaching Easter, grace, condemning bigotry and antisemitism, praying for Trump with accountability, and hope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	We got him.
0:07.0	President Trump says U.S. forces have rescued the missing airmen, and a daring mission deep in Iranian territory overnight.
0:14.0	How did they pull it off? And what does it mean for the future of the war?
0:17.0	A former White House advisor who has negotiated with Iran, Brett McGurk and my panel
0:21.7	break it down. And the far side. And lift off. The Artemis crew just hours away from going
0:28.1	where no human has gone before. What do they expect to find on the dark side of the moon?
0:33.1	They want to know the risks they're taking is part of something bigger. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman joins me ahead.
0:39.5	Plus, Easter sermon.
0:41.1	In a deeply divided America, one senator shares his faith on Christianity's holiest day.
0:46.9	Easter is the preacher's Super Bowl.
0:49.3	What does unity mean for the pastor of Martin Luther King Jr's church?
0:53.8	Do you pray for the president?
0:55.4	Senator and Reverend Raphael Warnock next.
1:05.2	Hello and happy Easter.
1:06.9	I'm Jake Tapper in Washington with breaking news.
1:09.3	President Trump says a U.S. weapons systems officer
1:11.8	is, quote, seriously wounded this morning after being rescued in a daring and heroic mission
1:17.2	launched by U.S. forces inside Iran overnight. The injured airmen survived being shot down
1:24.1	behind enemy line, CNN has learned, by hiding alone in a mountain crevice
1:28.5	before he was rescued in a massive effort involving hundreds of American military and
1:32.8	intelligence personnel. But if you were wondering how the success of that operation might affect
1:37.9	the president's posture toward Iran moving forward, wonder no longer. He has just threatened
	...

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