Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," April 12, 2026

On this “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” broadcast, moderated by Margaret Brennan: 

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MARGARET BRENNAN: I’m Margaret Brennan in Washington.

And this week on Face the Nation: Vice President Vance returns to the U.S. empty-handed following talks with Iranian leaders. But President Trump now says he’s ordered the Navy to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.

The 21 hours of negotiations ended early this morning in Pakistan.

(Begin VT)

J.D. VANCE (Vice President of the United States): The bad news is that we have not reached the agreement. And I think that’s bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States of America.

(End VT)

MARGARET BRENNAN: President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio got the news while they were out for a Saturday night at the UFC fights.

Earlier, Mr. Trump downplayed the significance of the talks.

(Begin VT)

DONALD TRUMP (President of the United States): Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me. And the reason is because we have won.

(End VT)

MARGARET BRENNAN: What’s next in the now 44-day war that has sent gas prices soaring around the world? Will the fragile two-week cease-fire hold? And what exactly is President Trump’s goal in the conflict?

We will hear from the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Michael Leiter, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mark Warner, and Republican Congressman Mike Turner.

We will also take a closer look at the war’s impact on the global economy with the head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva.

And, finally, a bleak week winds up with a very happy ending.

It’s all just ahead on Face the Nation.

Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation.

Earlier, Mr. Trump downplayed the significance of the talks.

As we come on the air, President Trump is weighing in on the outcome of those talks in Pakistan, saying that – quote – “Most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, nuclear, was not.”

He also says the U.S. Navy will begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and that any Iranian who fires at us or peaceful vessels will be – quote – – “blown to hell.”

There’s no word on what Mr. Trump is suggesting was agreed to at this point.

According to our new CBS poll, there is increasing concern about the president’s handling of the war and its impact among Americans. Those factors and more add up to a new low in President Trump’s overall job approval rating for his second term.

The inflation report out late last week did not help. It was the worst of Mr. Trump’s second term, showing a monthly jump we hadn’t seen in nearly four years.

We have got more on our poll later in the broadcast, but we begin with Saturday and Sunday’s dramatic negotiations in Pakistan between the U.S. and Iran.