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Iranian State Media Releases Video Of New Supreme Leader; Iran Issues List Of Demands For U.S. Before Reopening Hormuz; Senate Votes To Confirm Todd Blanche As Attorney General; Crews Struggle To Contain Multiple Washington Wildfires. Aired 5-6a ET

Aired August 09, 2026 - 05:00   ET

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

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[05:00:25]

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and a very warm welcome to our viewers joining us in the U.S. and all around the world. I'm Salma Abdelaziz in London. Let's get to the headlines. Iran demands concessions from D.C. before the Strait of Hormuz fully opens, what those concessions are, and the latest on negotiations.

Republican senators confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, but no vote yet on President Trump's very controversial elections bill. We're going to take a look at the fallout from this weekend's overnight Senate session.

Plus, the latest on the new border checks following the Ceuta migrant rush. We're going to go live to Rome.

ANNOUNCER: Live from London, this is "CNN Newsroom" with Salma Abdelaziz.

ABDELAZIZ: Iran's national security chief has issued a list of demands for the U.S. to fulfill before Iran is even willing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Now, according to state media, this includes the U.S. paying compensation to Iran and lifting that naval blockade, as well as permanently ending the conflict. The U.S. vice president says the Strait is what the Trump administration is most focused on right now.

(Begin VT)

J.D. VANCE (R), U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: We're in the middle of the game and we're applying a whole host of tools, diplomatic, economic, military tools to ensure that we get the best outcome for the American people. What's been going on for the past week or so is that the Iranians and the Gulf countries, particularly Oman, have been talking about how to ensure the safe flow of traffic. The one problem, of course, is the Iranians laid a large number of mines at the beginning of the war.

And so, what we're really working through now is how you can actually set up a traffic scheme so that the ships that pass can pass through safely. That includes, of course, demining. That also includes a commitment from the Iranians that they're not going to fire at commercial vessels.

(End VT)

ABDELAZIZ: The White House is also responding to recent reports that the top U.S. general wants to find an off-ramp to the war with Iran. Sources say that Dan Caine has told key cabinet officials that the war has reached a crossroads and there's no easy military solution.

Now, a White House official says General Caine is an incredible asset to President Trump's national security team and the overwhelming success of operations Epic Fury, Midnight Hammer, and Absolute Resolve speaks for itself. The General always provides accurate, unbiased information and a host of options to the commander-in-chief who ultimately makes decisions based on what he feels is best for U.S. national security.

Iranian state media is also now sharing footage of the country's new supreme leader. This is the first time since he took power in March. The video shows Mostafa Khamenei delivering a religious lesson, as you can see there, but it's not clear when this video was shot and why it's being released now. Our Clare Sebastian is covering all of this for us right here from London.

Hello, Clare. Talk me through this video that we just played right now for our viewers from Iranian state media, which purports to show the supreme leader. What do we know about it? When was it shot? What does it tell us about Tehran's war positioning right now?

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Salma, the key thing we don't know is when it was shot. And I think for that reason, it's pretty likely that it won't quell the rumors and speculation around his whereabouts or health, frankly, especially since he wasn't seen at his own father's funeral about a month ago. It shows him, as you can see, gathered around with a group of men, apparently delivering a religious lesson.

He doesn't show any signs of injuries. Sources told CNN around the time that he took up the post as supreme leader that he was injured, including with lacerations to the face. So, no sign of that there, which, again, I think ramp up speculation about whether or not this was shot before the war.

But perhaps with the release of it now, it came from a semi-official news agency. There may be an element of messaging here, particularly to the U.S., that Iran has not -- the regime has not been destroyed by this war. And I think that adds to the picture here of an emboldened Iran now issuing demands to the U.S. as a condition for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. So, I think that is part of this sort of overall picture here.

[05:05:03]

And look, on that, these talks with Iran are clearly still ongoing. But Iran is not only issuing these demands, but tamping down expectations that these talks will result in anything leading to future peace talks.

Take a listen to the Iranian foreign minister on Saturday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABBAS ARAGHCH, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): The talks with Oman are about a temporary route. We're almost very close to the result. Determining this route by Iran and Oman does not necessarily mean the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. This is dependent on other factors. The violations of the Memorandum of Understanding by America should be compensated. The current situation, I should say clearly, is the result of violating the Memorandum of Understanding by America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SEBASTIAN: So, he has been speaking again to Iranian media this morning and saying that there are no talks with the U.S. happening as of now, and there won't be until the U.S., in his words, stops violating the Memorandum of Understanding, that memorandum that was back in June. And the demands that Iran is issuing now are very similar to the points in that Memorandum of Understanding. But look, I think it's clear that Iran is keenly aware that the biggest political problem, you heard it from J.D. Vance, for the United States right now is the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

That's what they're trying to fix. Clearly aware, of course, of the reports around the dwindling interceptor stockpiles that the U.S. has and the warning coming from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs around military options. And I think off the back of this, we see Iran really using this leverage that it has to the maximum, even as these talks continue to try to ensure safe passage, at least temporarily, through the Strait.

Salma?

ABDELAZIZ: Clare Sebastian there on the latest for you from Iran. Thank you so much for those updates.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: On this vote, the yeas are 50, the nays are 49. The nomination is confirmed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABDELAZIZ: After weeks of uncertainty, Republicans confirmed Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, as U.S. Attorney General in a pre-dawn vote on Saturday. The final vote was just 50 to 49. Two Republican senators and all the Democrats voted no. Blanche will officially become the country's top law enforcement officer.

Now, this is despite concerns that he could surrender independence of the Justice Department to President Trump. Critics say, well, that independence has already evaporated as acting A.G. Blanche has already brought indictments against the president's political targets, sought to force journalists to identify their sources, and approved a deal that gives tax immunity to President Trump and his family members. Blanche's confirmation was one of the Senate's last votes before it went for a five-week recess. Senators also passed a bill to extend federal government funding until December 11. The House of Representatives will have to pass it when they return from recess in September if they want to avert a government shutdown before the midterm election.

Senate Republicans also chose to delay a partisan budget resolution, hoping to reconstruct it in a new version with more defense funding. And Senate Democrats voted down a standalone voter I.D. bill. It contained key provisions of President Trump's controversial elections overhaul dubbed by Republicans as the SAVE America Act.

For more on all of this, we're joined now by Natasha Lindstedt. She is a professor of government at the University of Essex and is live for us from Colchester, England.

Good morning, first of all, to you, Natasha. Such a marathon session.

NATASHA LINDSTEDT, PROFESSOR OF GOVERNMENT, UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX: Good morning.

ABDELAZIZ: I believe it was over 20 hours into the early morning dawn on Saturday that Todd Blanche was confirmed as Attorney General by just one vote, as we mentioned there. What does this very narrow confirmation tell us about concerns over his independence and his loyalty to President Trump?

LINDSTEDT: Well, I think you already mentioned the key problem, that Todd Blanche was Donald Trump's personal attorney. And there was a moment in one of the hearings where he accidentally mentioned that, that there really isn't a separation between what he is going to be doing as Attorney General and what he is going to be doing as Trump's personal attorney. He is basically implementing the rule of law, or the critics are worried he's going to implement the rule of law in a way that favors Donald Trump.

And we've already seen evidence of this with many of the examples that you already just mentioned. And so it wasn't very popular in the Senate. We've seen confirmations of different appointees in the past be able to sail through without this type of scrutiny, or at least this type of disagreement.

With this case, there's just uncertainty whether or not the Department of Justice can remain independent, and that's why the vote was so close.

[05:10:02]

ABDELAZIZ: But you said it wasn't liked by so many, but President Trump obviously was pushing for this. And he was also pushing for the Senate Majority Leader to pass the SAVE America Act. He's really trying to extend, if you will, his influence over the Senate. Republicans do control the Senate. So, why couldn't they pass this wish list, if you will, before leaving Washington? LINDSTEDT: They couldn't pass it because they would only have 52 senators that would support it, and you need 60 to overcome the filibuster. So, Trump has been applying all kinds of pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to get rid of the filibuster, which, of course, would completely change Senate norms in the most negative way. So, they weren't going to do that. And they were making promises to Trump, oh, we'll get to it in September. They're trying to pass sort of piecemeal aspects of the SAVE America Act instead of the whole package. But, I mean, this is going to be really difficult to get through.

And I just want to highlight that this idea that there are, you know, foreigners voting in elections, this is not a big problem in the U.S. This is, like, minor at most. Even the very conservative Heritage Foundation from 1982 to 2025 said there was just several hundred or a hundred or something like that people that voted erroneously. And even in the cases where we found more recently in New Jersey that there were 6,000 noncitizens who were registered to vote, there's only a couple hundred that actually voted. So, for most Americans, this is not a major problem.

Now, there are aspects of the SAVE America Act that there might be some public support for. We've had some polling show that there's support for voter I.D. when you vote or proof of citizenship when you vote. But the problem is the SAVE America Act has a lot of other aspects of it as well that are going to make it more restrictive for mail-in voting, early voting, make it much more difficult to register to vote. And we also see polling in the same polls support trying to expand people being able to vote that they want, that citizens should be able to vote. We should make it easier for citizens to vote.

So, while Trump is focusing on this SAVE America Act, that this is the most important piece of legislation, this is completely out of touch with what Americans care about. And we see this in poll after poll that they care about the cost-of-living crisis, affordability and the economy. And this just really isn't the piece of legislation that they're looking for.

ABDELAZIZ: But it's interesting you also brought up President Trump trying to get rid of the filibuster, that this need to upend norms in order to get his demands met. He even seemed to demand at one point that senators stay in session until the SAVE America Act gets passed. Of course, he ultimately had to accept that there's going to be a delay.

Does this expose the limits of his influence over his own lawmakers, or do you see it as the opposite? He's showing just how much he can exercise that control.

LINDSTEDT: I mean, there are certain limits in terms of the Senate. I think in the House, he has really almost de facto control over the House at this point. But in the Senate, it's a little bit trickier because of the way the rules work, as we've already outlined.

And so, the senators, there were some senators like Mike Lee, a Republican senator who was doing everything he could to -- to try to, you know, get this passed before they left, before the session left. But he's going to have a few senators, a handful that he's really, really irritated, like Tom Tillis, an outgoing senator from North Carolina, a couple of others that he had undermined during their primaries. And then he's got a couple of moderate senators like Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine that he doesn't have complete control over. So, that makes it a little bit more difficult.

So, while he has a lot of influence, just the fact that they're even voting on this act and not on other pieces of legislation that would be a lot more popular and more helpful to them in the midterm just shows the extent of his influence. But he doesn't have complete iron grip over the Senate.

ABDELAZIZ: Natasha Lindstaedt there on the final hours of the Senate in session before it went for recess, where President Trump got some of what he wanted, but not all of it. Thank you so much.

The strong winds and dry heat fueling fires in Washington state are showing no signs of letting up. Fire crews are fighting to keep blazes in the Spokane area from spreading. But wind gusts of up to 25 miles an hour and 90-degree temperatures are in the forecast.

Meanwhile, there will be an uphill battle this weekend. More than 40 fires are burning in Washington and Oregon, and at least three fire- related deaths have been reported so far. The three fires near Spokane have already burned more than 10,000 acres and destroyed hundreds of homes. Officials say they've charged a man accused of starting one of those fires. They say that same man confessed to setting over two dozen other fires just in the past year.

In Canada, a fast-moving wildfire in the western part of the country has sparked a province-wide state of emergency in British Columbia. More than 20,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate.

[05:15:14]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know whether my house is gone or still there or not, but that fire came so fast and furious.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABDELAZIZ: The Bald Range fire spread across 19 square miles within hours of the first report on Friday. The British Columbia premier said the wildfire is destroying properties and has already prompted several rescue operations. Canada's Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness described the intensity of the rapidly evolving threat.

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KELLY GREENE, CANADIAN MINISTER OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & CLIMATE READINESS: We are facing an intense and harrowing situation in the Summerland area, and it is so difficult to be evacuated and not know when you will be able to return, not know what you'll be returning to, whether your home and your community will still be there. And the wait for news about the well-being of your loved ones can be absolutely devastating.

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ABDELAZIZ: Eastern China is shutting down ports and ferries. This is as it braces for the arrival of Typhoon Dolphin, which is expected to make landfall in the coming hours. Authorities in China have rated the system as an orange category typhoon. That is the second-highest level threat. Some coastal communities are expecting waves of up to eight meters, that's 26 feet. And forecasters say winds could top 100 miles an hour near the center of the storm.

Relations between Italy and Spain are in a rough patch following the migrant crisis in Ceuta. Still ahead, it's a diplomatic tit for tat with travelers between the two E.U. countries paying the price.

A daughter fights to save her dad's legacy after she says it was destroyed nearly 60 years ago. Details on her lawsuit against the Cuban government right after the break.

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[05:20:54]

ABDELAZIZ: We're getting reactions from passengers after Italy and Spain imposed border checks on travelers between the two countries. Spain temporarily imposed visa and passport controls on travelers from Italy on Saturday. This is following a very similar move by Rome that affects those coming from Spain.

Madrid says the checks are random and don't actually affect all passengers, but some of them still call the dispute utter nonsense and dismiss it as just politics. Italy said it imposed the border controls because of the migrant crisis in Ceuta, but most migrants who stormed that border have already returned to Morocco.

For more on all of this, we're joined by Stefano Pozzebon. He is live for us from Rome. So, these measures are essentially a suspension of the Schengen Agreement. Can these measures actually be imposed? And isn't it up to the E.U. to resolve this here?

STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Yes, impose these measures or actually implement, because for now it seems like the two governments are holding the right to implement border controls without actually causing any disruption to the travels. Of course, the Schengen Agreement, Salma, has been in place since the mid-90s. I think it was 1997 that Italy here implemented it.

And of course, people are used to travel between Madrid and Rome, Milan and Barcelona very, very easily without any border control. For example, myself, I flew from Madrid to Rome when I moved here last Monday, and nobody asked my passport, for example. The only passport control that I had was entering the E.U. in Madrid.

And this is why perhaps many people are thinking that this has more to do with internal politics, especially here in Italy, where Giorgia Meloni is facing a challenge from the right wing of his coalition and calls to hold a stronger line on migration than actually any real border dispute between Rome and Madrid. This is how, for example, one traveler who recently flew from, I think it was Rome, but landing into Madrid has to say to the cameras.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LUIGINA CUCCI, ITALIAN VISITOR FROM ROME (through translator): Everything that has happened strikes me as utter nonsense. In Italy, we are basically, well, we just keep going, hoping it will end. These kinds of interventions, without any real justification, seem to us like nothing more than a way to divert attention, avoid taking a stand, and dodge actual action.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

POZZEBON: Utter nonsense, divert attention, keep going. Many people are here. It's the middle of the summer, Salma. A lot of Europeans just want to go to the beach to cool off the heat wave that is really causing an impact into the populations. And of course, not really paying too much attention about this political rhetoric.

One thing on the background, of course, is like you said, it's up to the E.U. to sort of solve these disputes. And frankly, this is a symbol of why so many people in the continent think that the European Union as an institution, the European Union as a whole, is failing to come up to respond to the challenges of our time. It's been decades that Italian governments, successive Italian governments on both sides of the aisle have been complaining that E.U. members were not sharing enough of the burden when it comes to migration.

Of course, Italy being one of the countries on the front line when it comes to the impact of migration with thousands of people arriving into the island of Lampedusa, for example, now it's Spain's turn and the first thing that Italy is doing is shutting the border. So, it seems really a distant war from the actual streets here in Rome, for example.

Salma?

ABDELAZIZ: Stefano Pozzebon on the E.U. failing to stop that diplomatic spat between Italy and Spain. Thank you so much.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says it is expected to issue every field officer an agent of body camera. This will be by the end of August. The expansion comes as the agency faces growing scrutiny after two fatal ICE shootings in July.

Now, neither shooting was recorded with body cameras, but whether or not the public will actually get to see any footage captured on these body cameras still remains largely up to ICE officials who say the restrictions are intended to protect investigations and privacy.

[05:25:21]

The daughter of a Cuban-American pilot is suing the Cuban government because she says Fidel Castro branded him a traitor and killed him some 60 years ago. CNN's Carolina Peguero has this report for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CAROLINA PEGUERO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Pictures, newspaper clippings, letters from former Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, and a small pilot logbook are the only memories that Milagros Maria Suarez del Pino has left of her father, Rafael del Pino.

MILAGROS MARIA SUAREZ PEREZ DEL PINO, DAUGHTER OF CUBAN-AMERICAN PILOT: U.S. citizen. He went to the Army. He was a pilot, and he was betrayed.

PEGEURO: Milagros remembers her father through his letters as a loving, intelligent, and passionate man until she says Fidel Castro, once his friend, betrayed him.

DEL PINO: They studied together in Cuba. They apparently were friends. When my father learned what he was up to, he wanted to separate from him, and Castro started noticing.

PEGEURO: The family is seeking justice for del Pino, hoping for some movement now that former leader Raul Castro has been indicted for conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals and murder, stemming from his alleged role in the 1996 military shoot-down of two unarmed civilian planes operated by the Miami-based group, Brothers to the Rescue.

Raul Castro has denied that he directly ordered the planes to be shot down, and the Cuban government dismissed the charges as political theater.

In 2008, a Miami-Dade jury and judge had ordered the Cuban government to pay nearly $260 million to the del Pino family for a wrongful death. Then in 2001, the judgment was increased to more than $626 million, but those funds have yet to be paid.

FRANCISCO RAMON RODRIGUEZ, FAMILY LAWYER: In our system of justice, our civil system, you can have a judgment, but you don't automatically collect that money.

PEGEURO: The family lawyers say del Pino, a U.S. citizen, was lured back to Cuba in 1959, kidnapped and executed on Cuban soil as retaliation by Fidel Castro's regime, accusing him of being a U.S. spy.

RODRIGUEZ: Del Pino, who was a pilot, rented a plane in Tamiami, took a plane over to the island, landed in the outskirts of Havana. When he landed, the spy that was with him took the keys out of the plane, jumped out. The plane was shot up, burst into flames. Del Pino was burned, he was shot, and he was taken into custody by the Castro regime.

He was then put on trial within a month or two later. He was tried in his pajamas in a hospital bed literally, not figuratively, literally, and he was found guilty and sentenced to 30 years.

PEGEURO (voice-over): Del Pino remained 17 years as a political prisoner hoping to one day reunite with his family.

Days before his scheduled release, Milagros' father was found dead in his cell.

PEGEURO: How do you feel now that there's action going on and pressure from the United States with Raul Castro's indictment? Do you feel that this is a way of opening the doors for justice for your father's death?

DEL PINO: I just want justice for my father. I know I'll never have him, but at least I want him to rest in peace.

PEGEURO: Carolina Peguero, CNN, Miami.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABDELAZIZ: Passengers aboard a Delta flight that was bound for Florida were forced to evacuate by the plane's slides after smoke was reported in the cockpit. More than 200 people were on the plane at the time, and the crew noticed the fumes mid-flight and had to return to Atlanta's airport.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yep, Delta 2204, change of plans. We now have smoke in the back and we need to deplane immediately, Delta 2204.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Delta 2204, OK, you can stop there and do what you need to.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABDELAZIZ: The plane landed safely and passengers were booked on other flights.

Saudi Arabia draws two of the Muslim world's most powerful militaries into a defense treaty, but will it keep Iranian attacks at bay? A closer look at the Mecca pact when we return.

Plus, Hunter Biden is praising his father for his dedication to family as he shares a very emotional update about the former president's health. That's ahead.

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[05:33:18]

ABDELAZIZ: Welcome back. I'm Salma Abdelaziz. Let's check some of today's top stories:

Fire crews are fighting to keep blazes that have already burned over 10,000 acres around Spokane. Washington from spreading wind gusts of up to 25 miles an hour and 90-degree temperatures are forecast complicating those containment efforts.

Iranian state media has released footage of the new supreme leader for the first time since he rose to power but the video of Mostafa Khamenei was undated and appears to have been shot before the conflict. The new supreme leader has yet to appear in public and has only been heard of from messages released by state media.

Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its demands are met. The country's national security chief says the U.S. must withdraw its troops, lift the naval blockade and permanently end the war. Iran also wants the U.S. to pay damages and release frozen Iranian assets.

Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that Saudi Arabia's new mutual defense pact with Pakistan and Turkey will not guarantee the kingdom is safe from attack. An Iranian member of Parliament wrote, quote, "Just as America's bases could not bring the Saudi security clinging to America's lackeys will not bring them security either."

The NATO-like pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, three of the region's most powerful players, forces them to defend each other if one is attacked and it serves as a stark warning to Tehran. Meanwhile Iran's foreign minister called for Muslims around the world to show unity.

Jasmine El-Gamal is a former Middle East Advisor at the U.S. Defense Department. She is the founder and CEO of Avero Strategies and the host of the "View From Here" podcast.

[05:35:10]

Good morning first of all to you Jasmine. I want to begin if I can. We're going to get to that defense pact, the Mecca defense pact in a moment, but I want to begin with this list of demands Tehran.

Of course for President Trump this is going to be a non-starter right? So, what does this say about Tehran's negotiating position and what's the strategy here?

JASMINE EL-GAMAL, FORMER MIDDLE EAST ADVISOR, U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT: Good morning Salma. Look when you and I spoke last week we spoke about how the U.S. and Iran were operating in this atmosphere that is zero- sum and zero-trust.

So, you see that continuing with Iran's demands. It's trying to do a couple of different things. First of all it's trying to indicate that the Strait of Hormuz is extremely important to Iran's strategic calculations to its deterrence capabilities and that they are not going to give up control over the Strait for nothing. They want something and they want something significant for it.

At the same time they're trying to allow for some sort of confidence- building mechanisms because they don't trust the U.S. at all. They're trying to say well if you do these things then we will do -- you know, we will do what you want, we will sign this deal.

Of course as you said these are very maximalist demands and President Trump is not in a position in a negotiating position to agree to those demands. So, you will see a flurry of diplomacy behind the scenes in the run-up to this deal being signed if it is indeed signed to try to find that common ground where the U.S. can -- can do something that counts as a confidence-building mechanism but not be seen as completely caving in to Iranian demands.

ABDELAZIZ: So, a flurry of diplomacy to try to get that Strait of Hormuz reopen or traffic resumed in some way but in the meanwhile of course America's allies are sort of sorting themselves out if you will. We have this Mecca defense pact it shows that key U.S. allies seem to no longer fully trust American security guarantees. Is that the way you read it?

EL-GAMAL: It's interesting because I think in order to understand this pact which really has been a type of thinking that has been a long time coming in the region you have to go back before this war started and go back to really the whole post October 7th landscape in the region where the countries in the region felt very insecure that they weren't completely in control of decision-making that affected them and their security and that they were increasingly being surrounded by threats.

So, if you look at Saudi Arabia it sees itself as being in this very high threat environment in the region with attacks coming from Iran- backed militias in Iraq, from the Houthis in Yemen, from Iran itself and what the Gulf countries found with U.S. deterrence is that it doesn't work and so they're trying to make sure that they diversify their security partnerships not necessarily to be able to start wars or target any country in particular but to really make sure that their own deterrence capacity comes organically from the region and that they don't have to rely just on the United States anymore.

ABDELAZIZ: And this isn't the only step that Saudi Arabia is taking it's also building a multinational force that is a naval force to secure the -- the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab. How -- how do you think D.C. will respond to this? Because we've heard the Trump administration for a long time now say look countries are in charge of their own national security, we're not going to police the world but is this what they meant because this could start a conflict that's outside of America's purview?

EL-GAMAL: It's a really good question and I think to what you said it that the U.S. has always wanted the region to be more in control of their own -- of their own security and the U.S. has been trying under multiple administrations to play a smaller role in the Middle East. And so, it is fine in the point of view of the U.S. for countries to take steps to enhance their own security.

Again, I want to focus on the -- the point that these moves in the Gulf whether it's -- you know, the UAE with Israel and the United States or Saudi Arabia with Turkey and Pakistan. These are not meant to be aggressive moves but rather defensive moves. The higher deterrence is, Salma, the less likely a war is likely to break out. And so, that's what is -- is being attempted here is an attempt to raise the deterrence factor so that war becomes more costly -- not easier.

[05:40:15] ABDELAZIZ: Jasmine El-Gamal there with a very good closing point that these are deterrent steps not intended to create conflict but to avoid conflict by raising the stakes. Thank you so much for being with us today.

A new attack on a Saudi oil refinery may turn into an early test of the Mecca Pact. Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed the drone attack on Saudi Aramco's Jazan refinery earlier today. It's located on the Red Sea coast in southwestern Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Energy Minister said a fire broke out there but it was extinguished. There were no injuries reported and the Houthis are of course one of several Iranian proxies that have threatened to widen the conflict in the region.

We're getting reports of overnight strikes on both sides of the border between Russia and Ukraine. President Zelenskyy says that the Kremlin hit the city of Odessa. This wounded eight people. He said the city's port which is crucial for Ukraine's food exports took some damage. Meanwhile Russia is claiming that Ukrainian drones struck the city of Belgorod killing three people and leaving 25 wounded.

Ukraine has for a long time now been appealing for more military hardware to defend itself from Russian airstrikes. It seems that demand is being fulfilled. We're hearing now that it will start getting regular monthly deliveries of desperately needed U.S. missile interceptors.

President Zelenskyy made this announcement during a visit to Serbia on Saturday. It is a longtime Russian ally. Now, despite the new U.S. arms deal, Mr. Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs even more assistance.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): First of all, who has anti-ballistic missiles and a system? The manufacturer is the United States of America. Can they help? We're working on it. Will they supply us with missiles every month? Yes. We have agreements in place. Are these missiles enough? No.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABDELAZIZ: The cyclospora outbreak tied to lettuce has now spread to 15 states. Still to come, tips health officials recommend that can help keep you safe. That and much more ahead on CNN.

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[05:45:37]

ABDELAZIZ: Former U.S. President Joe Biden's prostate cancer is spreading to other parts of his body. This is according to his son. Hunter Biden says the cancer is now in his father's bones and beyond, causing him pain even as he keeps making public statements. Mr. Biden's youngest son gave a very emotional interview to the "BBC" and shared what his father means to the family.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) HUNTER BIDEN, SON OF FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: My dad in our family -- excuse me, my dad is to this day and remains the center of our family, not just because he -- of who he is as the public person, but completely because of who he is to each one of us, down to his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren, his great-grandchild. He is -- he is our rock.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABDELAZIZ: Mr. Biden announced his diagnosis in May last year, just months after he left the White House.

The cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce has now expanded to 15 states and health officials are urging people to take precautions when eating lettuce as well as some types of fruits and vegetables. Jenn Sullivan explains what you need to know about food safety to avoid getting sick.

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JENN SULLIVAN, CNN REPORTER: The true breadth of the cyclosporiasis problem is coming into focus. This specific outbreak has now been reported in 15 states. Six more were added this week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

WADE SYERS, FOOD SAFETY & SECURITY SPECIALIST, MSU EXTENSION: One of the reasons we're seeing more of these is that investigations are undergoing so that, you know, we're getting the results back.

SULLIVAN: More than 6,000 cases have been linked to this specific outbreak, with nearly 300 people hospitalized and two people have died, according to the CDC. Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal infection caused by the parasite cyclospora, which can cause explosive diarrhea for weeks if left untreated. The outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms to Mexico, but other products may have caused illness in some places. Health officials are urging people to pay attention to recalls and alerts.

SYERS: Washing your hands, rinsing your produce under cool running water.

SULLIVAN: Taylor Farms has recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. This week, they said, quote, "According to the FDA, there are no confirmed positive sample results for product testing of cyclospora. As of August 5th, 2026, we are confident in our food and food safety systems."

Killing the cyclospora parasite, though, can be tricky.

DR. JORGE RODRIGUEZ, BOARD CERTIFIED INTERNAL MEDICINE SPECIALIST & VIRTUAL RESEARCHER: Washing it does not get rid of the cyclospora. You actually have to cook it.

SULLIVAN: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration still has not been able to confirm the cause of several clusters of the outbreak.

I'm Jenn Sullivan reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABDELAZIZ: Coming up, as temperatures continue to soar across Europe, some are wondering, "Can I wear shorts to the office?" A check on the modern rules of fashion right after the break.

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[05:52:38]

ABDELAZIZ: This encounter that you see there with a very irate hippo is what one woman described as the most terrifying moment of her life. The animal charged her tour boat in Botswana after it may have gotten too close. The situation was potentially dangerous, although they are herbivores. Hippos do kill hundreds of people every year. The woman said her tour guides smiled at the end, not because it was funny, but because they were so relieved.

If you think lady luck is on your side and you're in the U.S., you might want to buy a Powerball ticket before Monday night's draw. That's when the lottery's jackpot is expected to soar to a whopping $905 million dollars. Nobody took home the $856 million-dollar grand prize in last night's draw. But there were still some impressive winners for smaller prizes, including a two-million-dollar ticket and four tickets worth one million each.

Hotter weather in many places is raising questions about how we should handle the sweltering temperatures. For instance, should we be allowed to wear shorts at work?

Anna Stewart hit the streets of London to ask the experts and what people think.

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ANNA STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Some things got the city hot and bothered.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel strongly that that should be allowed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That feels a bit odd.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A bit unprofessional.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely.

STEWART: Yeah?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, why not? STEWART (voice-over): In a heatwave, is it appropriate to wear shorts in the office? There's one way to find out.

Welcome to the CNN catwalk, where the commuters are the models and the judging is ruthless.

STEWART: Tailored shorts, I think this works for the office.

DANIEL JOHNSON, PERSONAL STYLIST: We're going to disagree all day.

STEWART (voice-over): Daniel Johnson is a stylist specializing in menswear.

Next up, we have Hayden. Thankfully, only sightseeing today.

JOHNSON: A little too short for the office.

STEWART: Not for the office.

STEWART (voice-over): Hubert gets a big thumbs up for his Gordon Gekko style, but is he suffering in trousers and socks?

STEWART: Hubert says he is too hot.

JOHNSON: It's going to be the curse for anyone in this heat, is it not?

STEWART: But you'd rather he suffered.

STEWART (voice-over): For this stylist, the rules are quite simple.

JOHNSON: No shorts whatsoever.

STEWART: What if they're tailored?

[05:55:01]

JOHNSON: Not even for tailored, I'm afraid. Legs are not for the office.

STEWART: OK, how about should you show your toes?

JOHNSON: Not at all.

STEWART: Never show your toes?

STEWART (voice-over): Fashion is subjective, and on London's famous Savile Row, hemlines are rising.

DOMINIC GARNER, STORE MANAGER, CAD & THE DANDY: Something like this, this is sort of a mid-thigh kind of short, slightly higher waisted with a pleat.

STEWART (voice-over): At Cad & Dandy, short sales are up 200 percent compared to last year.

STEWART: Does it matter how short the shorts are in terms of the workplace?

GARNER: I think so, yes. I think there comes a point you don't want something that looks like, you know, your dad would wear, you know, on a weekend sort of below the knee, but at the same time, too short is too short.

STEWART: What are the rules for women?

GARNER: I think the general sort of rule of thumb is something elegant, something discreet, something tailored. I'd say as much so for women as for men, something that doesn't come up too, too high in the leg.

STEWART (voice-over): But even here, a line is drawn for feet.

STEWART: Should you ever show your toes?

GARNER: I'd probably say no.

STEWART: Well, the verdict is in. It is a yes for tailored shorts, but noes for toes. With temperatures like these, more and more city workers are taking short positions.

Anna Stewart, CNN, Savile Row, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABDELAZIZ: Today marks the late Whitney Houston's birthday and Mattel is honoring the music icon with her own Barbie doll. It is styled after her look in the "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" music video. The Barbie wears a purple tank dress and comes with a microphone stand. Houston's sister-in-law and executor of her estate, Pat Houston, worked with Mattel to create this doll for the Barbie Signature Series. The doll retails for $60.

Thank you so much for watching. I'm Salma Abdelaziz. For our viewers in North America, "CNN This Morning" is coming up next. For the rest of the world, it is "Marketplace Asia."

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