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U.S. Temporarily Lifts Sanctions on Iranian Oil; Rubio Heads to Middle East to Discuss Iran With Allies; Ransom Note Said Nancy Guthrie Died Shortly After Kidnapping; Two More Arrested in Alleged Plot to Attack White House UFC Event. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired June 23, 2026 - 07:30   ET

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

[07:30:00]

VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN BUSINESS AND POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: It does change day to day, but shipping companies are looking for windows of safe passage.

And here's what we've seen over the last five days. You've actually seen a pickup in the number of ships moving in and out of the Strait of Hormuz. Just on Thursday, 26 ships. Friday, 23. On Saturday, 38 ships. That is the highest number since the war began. A little bit of a dip on Sunday, 16, and just yesterday, 26. Want to put this into perspective.

Normally, what we see every single day is 110 plus ships transiting every single day, upwards of 150 on some days. The average we've been seeing the last few months since the war began has been five, six, maybe 10 ships. So, this is a notable pickup. However, there are still 500 or more ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz. This is because shipping companies have to make very strategic calculations of when exactly they want to make the move. And it's all about safety, safety for the ships themselves, the cargo and the people on board.

According to the International Maritime Organization, since the war began, there's been 46 strikes on ships and 14 deaths on board. So, it is still very dangerous. So, what they're looking for is a little bit of a chicken in the egg, watching others cross through safely first, and then shipping companies assessing whether or not it's safe for them to do so themselves.

Insurance guarantees. We know that insurance insurers have dropped coverage on insuring these shipping companies because in the contract, it says during a war, we don't have to insure you. And then finally, we know that a lot of companies have been interested in U.S. Navy protection and escorts through the Strait. That has kind of been off and on. Some shipping companies taking advantage of it. But we don't know that that's a permanent option.

So, this is what shipping companies are looking for. What does this mean for oil? Well, we know that about a billion barrels of oil have been offline, sort of taken out of the mix since the war began, because 20 percent of the world's oil transits through the Strait of Hormuz. But what we are seeing a little bit with oil investors is they're seeing glimmers of hope.

And that's why you're seeing U.S. oil and international oil trading below $80 a barrel. If you remember just a month or so ago, you were looking at 90 upwards of 100. What does that mean for consumers? Some good news on gas prices as well. Gas prices actually falling below $4 since for the first time since the war began. Obviously, much higher than before the war. But I think the message here is that there is some hope. Shipping companies seeing some openings. Oil prices coming down a little bit. And then, of course, for the consumer gas prices trailing, falling a little bit.

However, I will say this could all change, right? This is not an absolute. It could change overnight. It could change in the next couple of days. But we're starting to see a little bit of easing from the shipping companies themselves and also from investors who believe that maybe just maybe right now we're heading in the right direction.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: There is a lot of things that can happen in the interim. But when you look at what's happening, it used to be more than 110 ships a day now. But it's trickling up to up to 38 a day, slowly, slowly.

YURKEVICH: Small, but notable.

SIDNER: Incrementally you're seeing something important happen there. Thank you so much.

YURKEVICH: Thank you.

SIDNER: It's good to see you. John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. With us now is Congressman Pete Sessions, a Republican from Texas. Good morning to you, Congressman.

The Department of the Treasury has waived sanctions on Iranian oil, allowing them to sell it on the open market for U.S. dollars for the first time in a long time. How do you think that makes the U.S. safer?

REP. PETE SESSIONS, (R-TX), FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: Well, let me say this, John. The entire world understands that the president is trying to negotiate a peaceful opportunity between warring nations, nations that have not gotten along for 47 years and nations that attack each other. And this is a step in a direction that the president simply asking for people to listen, pay attention and see if it stands a chance.

You know, there's an old song, "Give Peace a Chance." Well, I want to ask a lot of very detailed questions, as do my colleagues. And those questions will come. They will come. Congress -- the House of Representatives is back in this week. We will see key figures, including J.D. Vance, who will be here on the House side to answer questions. The president's going to meet with the Senate during the week.

These are things that we want to know. Is this a peace? Is this a sanction deal? What -- how are we going to hold people accountable? [07:35:00]

And perhaps more importantly, what is the Iranian -- what are the Iranians going to look like when this is done with? Are they going to become a more powerful, prosperous nation or a more powerful military opposition to the United States and its neighbors? These are the questions we want answered.

BERMAN: First Congressman, I didn't peg you as a John Lennon fan. Secondly, do you trust the Iranians with this money that they are making as of today with the sale of their oil for U.S. dollars?

SESSIONS: Well, John, I think you and I both know that the bottom line is that a large amount of money is going to have to be a lot of trusted and verification that takes place. When they get money that they have not had because we sanctioned it, it will be a gold rush for the Iranians. We want them -- and this is part of once again, well, we've got to find out what is the agreement, what is going to take place when they get this money.

We've already seen that they hardened their military position, they hardened mountains, they hardened hiding things. Can they be trusted to do this? These are things we're going to have to listen to J.D. Vance and the president, and every American will have a chance to make up their own mind and decision.

But between now and then, I'm asking people to keep an open mind, let's see what we can do. And that's what they're doing right now, the administration, Marco Rubio, with the neighbors, the neighbors who have bitter past also and who have been attacked and had people killed. These are key questions that for America to accept this, we're going to have to have direct, straightforward answers.

BERMAN: Congressman, you're up on Capitol Hill. I don't know if you've had time to go down to the reflecting pool, but President Trump claims that he personally saw a 300-foot gash cut into the bottom of the reflecting pool and says there is evidence but will not release or has not released the evidence. Do you believe there's evidence of a 300-foot cut at the bottom of the reflecting pool?

SESSIONS: You know, I don't know. I would say that the President evidently has got it. I assume law enforcement has that. I assume this is against the law and I assume somebody will follow up from the Park Service. The Park Police, I assume, have some responsibility in this. So, I would ask the Park Police what they have and go that direction.

The U.S. attorney who is in Washington, D.C., Judge Pirro, would have that knowledge. So, if the president won't tell you, I'm sure others will.

BERMAN: Well, we'll see. We'll see. He's made that claim. The evidence has not yet been released. What we do know is that the pool is still --

SESSIONS: Yes, but you accused me of being a John Lennon fan this morning, too. I'm not going to say that's right or wrong, but -- BERMAN: I have evidence, though.

SESSIONS: -- things can be verified. OK. Well, I think you're right, too, John.

BERMAN: You quoted "Give Peace a Chance" on national television. So, therefore, you have some knowledge of Lennon and McCartney. So, let's just leave it at that. Congressman --

SESSIONS: I could hum the tune too.

BERMAN: I have one more question for you, Mr. John Lennon fan, if you'll bear with me for a second. Tucker Carlson, formerly of Fox News, now a conservative commentator, says he is leaving the Republican Party or, more accurately, will not support Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TUCKER CARLSON, HOST, "CAN'T BE CENSORED": I would not support the Republican Party. There's no chance I would support the Republican Party. I'm not going to support the Democratic Party. I don't know what I'm going to do. But at this point, you know, how could you support -- how could I or any American voter support a political party that's not loyal to the United States, that puts the interests of a foreign country above those of its own citizens? Like that's -- you know, it's not possible to vote for people like that. So, no, I'm out. And if I'm out, then I think a lot of other people are out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Tucker Carlson says he will not support Republicans. It seems to be largely over issues surrounding Israel. My question to you is, do you regret or welcome this move from Tucker Carlson?

SESSIONS: Well, my party, to be the party of the majority, wants people to view us in a more positive way against our opponents. And those opponents have entirely different views and ideas. So, I think that what Tucker didn't say, and I have not talked to him, are you going to vote? Because with -- when you have to place your vote, it somewhat changes your mind on who you're then going to vote for, and you can reassess that.

But no, I don't want to redo anything with Tucker. What I want to say is, is he's entitled to his opinion. It's been a stormy romance. No doubt about that. But there are people who find time to express opinions. When it comes down to the battle, it will be a battle for which direction we go. The American people know. One party is headed one way and the other party is headed another way, and I'm proud to be a Republican.

[07:40:00]

BERMAN: Congressman Pete Sessions, as John Lennon once said, I don't believe in Beatles, I do believe in you. Thank you for being with us this morning. I appreciate your time this morning, sir. Kate. SMITH: You bet, John. Thank you.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Your strength in staying with the theme is always admirable, JP. Thank you so much.

Let's turn to this right now. It has been nearly five months since Nancy Guthrie went missing, and now there are new details being revealed about one of the notes sent to media outlets about her disappearance. Multiple law enforcement sources now tell CNN that the note claimed that Nancy Guthrie died shortly after being kidnapped and also that her kidnappers had not intended to kill her.

At the time, the family responded in putting out this emotional video that you can't forget seeing because you can see the pain on Savannah Guthrie and her siblings' faces. At the time, Savannah says that they were once again pleading for the return of their mother in this emotional video. The note was one of two that the family and investigators believe are legitimate communications from the kidnappers. Savannah then later said this, about the notes when she was in conversation with Hoda Kotb.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE, ANCHOR, NBC TODAY SHOW: There are a lot of different notes, I think, that came, and I think most of them, it's my understanding, are not real, and I didn't see them. But I believe the two notes that we received, that we responded to, I tend to believe those are real.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Joining us right now, CNN Senior National Security Analyst Juliette Kayyem. Juliette, thanks so much for getting up. What do you -- just from with your background, what do you make of this new detail that the kidnappers, they believe this note is legitimate, and the detail being that the kidnappers say that Nancy Guthrie died shortly after they abducted her, but that they did not intend to kill her?

JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST, FORMER ASSISTANT SECRETARY, DHS, SUBSTACK AUTHOR, "EARLY WARNING" AND HARVARD PROFESSOR: Right. It's -- I mean, this is tragedy upon tragedy. It appears that early on in this investigation, when the outside world was thinking that this was a search and rescue to rescue Nancy Guthrie, that it was in fact a recovery effort, that both the Guthrie family and law enforcement had every reason to believe, for reasons that we may not know, that those two notes were valid, and that the criminals were trying to, in real time, create a defense that they didn't mean for her -- it doesn't matter, but that they didn't mean for her to die.

And it puts into light, I think, some of the criticisms that the law enforcement were getting. We don't know everything that was happening in the room, but that what they were really doing is trying to put the pieces together for, not and -- for -- not for the recovery -- not for the rescue anymore, but for the recovery of, of course, the remains of Nancy Guthrie, so the family could have closure. And that still has not happened.

I have to say, it makes me think that these criminals are, this wasn't, I mean, not only was this not random, but to be able to hide for that long, having left an electronic trail, notes, physical, potentially physical evidence, suggests that they are, they're either very lucky or better than we suspect.

BOLDUAN: Also, as part of this, we do know that CNN and a local news station had agreed to a request from law enforcement and the Guthrie family to hold off on reporting the contents of both notes. So, in order to allow for any future communication with the kidnappers to be authenticated, it's not unusual for an arrangement of this kind. It's typically in instances you would think with risks of national security or with very sensitive investigations, clearly, they believe that is this.

The fact that this detail is now being revealed, does it tell you something about where they are with this investigation now five months on?

KAYYEM: Yes, yes. I mean, it would suggest, and just based on my experience, it would suggest that they are ready to essentially crowdsource this piece of it. And that might mean either that they're close and that they just need someone to come forward, hopefully that they will release, you know, other details about the letters, or it could mean that they are -- that they need more help.

And I very much appreciate the sort of crowdsourcing that they're heading to now, because some, someone always knows, someone's always -- you know, has a feeling that a family member did something, was missing for a couple days or whatever else.

[07:45:00]

And so, they're back to asking the public for help. This is important, not just for Nancy Guthrie. This case suggesting that the family members of famous people are subject to kidnapping and ransom is much larger than Nancy Guthrie. They need to settle this case and make sure that the culprits are put behind bars for a very, very long time. This is not -- this is bigger than just this one case. This is about the vulnerabilities of family members of known people.

BOLDUAN: Yes, everywhere. And just seeing these pictures of Savannah and Nancy together five months later, just, oh, it still gives you chills and makes you sick to your stomach. Julia, thank you so much. Appreciate it. It's good to see you. Sara.

SIDNER: ` thank you so much, Kate. New this morning. Two more men have been charged in the alleged plot to attack the UFC event at the White House earlier this month. And we're learning more about the scope of what they're accused of plotting. According to a new criminal complaint, one of the suspects, William Lee Falkner, wrote in a group chat about how he could rig drones with explosives and what explosives they should use for maximum damage.

In early June, another suspect warned they had a week to get these drones, adding quote, "It's been an effing bloodbath and broadcast live." Falkner responded, they had five drones so far. He went on to say, the more drones, the better.

Joining me now, CNN legal analyst and criminal defense attorney, Joey Jackson. First to you, when you look at this complaint, what are these new charges? What are prosecutors trying to prove here?

JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Yes. So, Sara, good morning to you. So, what's happening is, is prosecutors are gathering all types of evidence against anyone and everyone who could have potentially been involved.

Really interesting how this developed, right? You have this 19-year- old who quits his job. He then goes and he's buying all this firearms and other equipment. His mother panics, gets the FBI, and they of course infiltrate the signal chat. Why is that relevant to your question? Because that allowed the FBI and Secret Service to determine what was the scope of this.

And so, when you ask about the other two, I wouldn't be surprised if there's two more and then two more, still early to tell, but the signal chat apparently had 23 people in it. And here was the essence of these charges I think other charges we'll see.

It's about conspiracy. What does that mean? It means when two or more people enter into an agreement to engage in criminality. And there were really three parts of this plan. The first part was about these drones to fly them in a specific location over this UFC event. That would then cause the crowd to scatter in the other direction. There would be one other means of getting out of there and that's where the sniper attack would occur.

And then the third part where they would literally, they're alleged to have been, you know, picking off people as they were leaving high level targets. And then they would storm the actual White House itself. And so, the charges are predicated around this conspiracy to engage in this illegality, the possession of these weapons, the fact that they were getting these drones.

Fortunately, didn't come close to being carried out, but that's what the charges are. And I think if there are future charges, there'll be predicated around that as well.

SIDNER: What is the line between talking to one another and chatting and getting charged? Because obviously this didn't happen.

JACKSON: Yes. So, there's two things that you're going to hear repeatedly. When you talk about conspiracy, it talks about what overt actions you've taken. What does that mean? An overt action, did I purchase equipment, right? Did I do other things that would have been deemed in furtherance of this conspiracy? When you hear about attempts and attempted murder and that type thing that is being charged also, did you take a substantial enough step? So, it's still developing, we'll see.

And again, finally, these are only criminal complaints. There'll be an indictment before a grand jury. I presume more evidence will come out, but that's the critical questions, Sara, and that's what steps you take and how overt were they. Did you get to carry out this plot? How close did you get to carry it out? Fortunately, not close at all.

SIDNER: That's right. Joey Jackson, it is a pleasure. Thank you for coming in this morning. I appreciate you.

JACKSON: Thanks, Sara. Always.

SIDNER: John.

BERMAN: All right. The dramatic combination of a drone, a powerful magnet and a police chase. You cannot outrun the long magnetic pull of the law.

And then a judge ordered the president's name off the Kennedy Center. But for days, a tarp has covered it, blocking the evidence from view. Now, CNN has obtained brand new images that it seems the administration does not want you to see.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:50:00]

BOLDUAN: A big day, another big day ahead on the pitch. England, Portugal, Colombia, all in action in the World Cup, a day after Argentina's Messi made history. Let's get over to CNN's Amanda Davies for more on this. Tell us what is happening.

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Good morning. Please don't let me or make me talk about England just yet. The bar has been set very high, and we shouldn't underestimate what we are seeing play out here. We are witnessing history, and boy, are we lucky.

Lionel Messi has now officially scored more goals than anyone else in men's World Cup history. Having scored that hat trick as he became the first man to play at six World Cups in Argentina's opening game against Austria on Monday, the 38-year-old, 39 tomorrow, put his side ahead midway through the first half and overtook Germany's Miroslav Kloser as all-time men's World Cup goal scorer.

[07:55:00]

That was his 17th, and there was more to come. He found goal number 18 before full-time to give his side a 2-nil win and a guaranteed spot in the last 32 with a game to spare.

But hot on his heels, France captain Kylian Mbappe. He scored two for the second straight game as France eased past Iraq in a weather- delayed game in Philadelphia. It means the Real Madrid star is now on 16 goals in just his third World Cup finals. And like Messi and Argentina, you suspect there will be more to come. It was a win that guarantees the 2018 World Champions, 2022 runners-up a place in the next round as well.

But anything they can do, Erling Haaland can do as well. The Norwegian machine is only at his first World Cup because his country have failed to qualify in recent years. But he made it four goals in his opening two games with another double as Norway beat Senegal. He's now scored an incredible 12 straight games for his country with at least two goals in each of the past six.

Today's What a Shot is brought to you by HBO Max. And what a shot it is as Norway's players celebrated that win and their place in the knockout stage with the now iconic row led by Martin Odegaard on the drum and mirrored by an epic sea of fans in the stand. Just another of those incredible fan images we've been seeing at the tournament, Sara.

BOLDUAN: I love it.

DAVIES: Kate, in fact. Kate, Sara, John, all of you.

BOLDUAN: All of us. We're all one. We truly are of one mind. So, you are absolutely -- you can toss it back to just get it to us. Amanda, thank you so much. It's really shocking because this is also how we start off the show every morning, guys. You should see the pre-show. We all sit and row, and it's really, really a team building exercise, if you will. It's great to see you, Amanda. Thank you so much.

SIDNER: We're of one malfunctioning mind. Yes.

BOLDUAN: Together, it gets to function sometimes.

SIDNER: Barely.

BOLDUAN: Maybe not today.

SIDNER: Not today. All right. On Our Radar for you this morning, SWAT officers in Sacramento are using a drone to snatch a knife from a suspect. You can see the drone moving in on the suspect, and then he's a felon, a parolee who was on the run. There's a suspect holding onto the knife. So, how did they get the knife? Well, they used a powerful magnet attached to the drone, which snapped up the knife, see it there, booyah, pulling it right out of the suspect's hands. Officials say the creative use of the drone allowed them to avoid a potentially deadly situation.

All right. Quite the buzz happening in Texas. Up to 2 million bees escaped after a truck carrying their hives overturned in a ditch. Professional and backyard beekeepers stepped in, and they helped gather and capture the swarm. John.

BERMAN: What's the buzz? Tell me what's the buzz, as they say. All right. New this morning, the FAA has unveiled new artificial intelligence technology aimed at reducing flight delays and cancellations. CNN Aviation correspondent Pete Muntean is here. So, is A.I. going to make it all better for us, Pete?

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: We'll see, John. You know, it's fitting that we're talking about this now, because all of New York's airports and all of the D.C. area airports were in ground stops yesterday for thunderstorms, more than 8,000 flight delays nationwide yesterday, about 800 cancellations, and the FAA's warning of a repeat today, making this announcement likely one of the first major uses of A.I. to help better route flights even more timely.

Here's how it works. The FAA says this pair of A.I. systems will work by strategically coordinating schedules and trajectories before aircraft depart. That's a quote. Translation, alleviate flight delays before they begin. It's a pretty tall order, which is why the FAA just awarded this contract after a three-way competition that included Palantir notably lost this contest.

Even though it already has major A.I. contracts for the Trump administration, Boston-based Airspace Intelligence is now in charge of rolling out this technology. The goal is to have this in the FAA's command center in Warrington, Virginia this fall, then roll this out nationwide by the end of 2028. $875 million. That's how much the Trump administration is spending on this, all part of this multi-billion- dollar overhaul of air traffic control infrastructure that's being pushed by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. I want you to listen now to his response when I asked him about whether A.I. will replace air traffic controllers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEAN DUFFY, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: We'll use A.I. tools, but A.I. doesn't make decisions. A.I. can give prompts to a controller, and then the controller decides whether they want to use that prompt or not. We are never going to outsource the national airspace to A.I. tools.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MUNTEAN: This is a complex problem, John. Air traffic control routing's kind of like playing chess in 4D.

[08:00:00]