CNN Early Start with Rahel Solomon

CNN's Melissa Bell: Questions remain surrounding the missing student, James Gracey, who was found dead in Spain.

CNN’s Clare Sebastian joins Rahel Solomon to report on the agenda as EU leaders meet in Brussels. This comes after a day of attacks on energy facilities in Iran and neighboring countries, instigating a surge in oil prices.

Volodymyr Zelensky is meeting with European allies to ensure Ukraine isn’t forgotten during the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. More reporting from Clare Sebastian.

Israel targeted Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in a Tehran strike on Monday night, according to an Israeli source familiar with the matter. The Israeli military is still awaiting the results of the strike to determine if Larijani was killed.

The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is sending oil prices soaring to their highest levels since 2022. CNN's @EleniGiokos joins Rahel Solomon to discuss the critical infrastructure damage to oil zones in the UAE.

Trump again claims victory in the war with Iran Plus, sources tell CNN the US military accidentally struck an Iranian elementary school, in an attack that state media said killed at least 168 children and 14 teachers, likely due to outdated information about a nearby naval base

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed nearly a month ago amid a standoff between Republicans and Democrats over immigration reform. Rahel Solomon reports on where things stand.

French President Emmanuel Macron explains that his country aims to protect its citizens amid conflict in the Middle East. CNN’s Sebastian Shukla joins Rahel Solomon to break down Macron’s comments. He also details remarks by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Cyprus.

The FBI's terrorism taskforce is investigating an explosive device thrown near New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's residence during an anti-Islam protest. Rahel Solomon reports.

Just in: CNN Senior International Correspondent @fpleitgenCNN and his team have just crossed the border into Iran. CNN is the first US network into the country since the start of the war. His report 👇

“You’re going to see all-out war in Texas for the next 12 weeks,” Charlie Dent said. “The Republicans are just lighting their donor cash on fire,” David Carlucci said. Dent and Carlucci joined Erica Hill to discuss the primary elections. #Election2026

Hagar Chemali, former US Treasury spokesperson for terrorism and financial intelligence, joins Erica Hill to weigh in on the state of Iran’s economy and what it means for its longevity in the war. Plus, she discusses potential reaction from China to the war.

President Donald Trump told CNN the “big wave” is yet to come in the war with Iran. Senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies Danny Citrinowicz joins Erica Hill to explain his interpretation of that.

Amid US-Iran tensions, there’s a new round of nuclear talks today in Geneva. CNN’s Fred Pleitgen has the details. Plus, he shares the latest on the bilateral talks happening between the US and Ukraine.

Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) reacts to Donald Trump’s high-stakes State of the Union address, telling Rahel Solomon he found it “quite painful.”

"It wasn’t aimed at uniting the American public," professor says. Following President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union speech in which he touted the economy and briefly touched on foreign affairs, University of Essex government professor Natasha Lindstaedt shares her take.

On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, CNN’s Clare Sebastian joins Audie Cornish to report on some events of the day, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's message.

Ukraine talks are on the agenda as NATO and Europe’s top defense ministers meet in Poland. CNN’s Melissa Bell shares the details.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, younger brother of King Charles III, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, police said. Broadcaster and royal watcher Bidisha Mamata joins Rahel Solomon to share her reaction to the news.

As Russian state media reported that the third round of talks between the US, Ukraine and Russia wrapped in Geneva, CNN’s Fred Pleitgen joined Rahel Solomon live to break down some key points. #CNN #News