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Isa Soares Tonight
Israel, Iran Trade Attacks As Tehran Residents Flee; G7 Summit Kicks Off In Canada; Murder Suspect Of Minnesota Lawmaker Caught; 224 Killed In Iran, 24 Killed In Israel Over Four Days; Israel And Iran Launch New Attacks; War Overshadows G7 Summit; Trump Won't Sign G7 Statement On Israel and Iran; Trump Family Launches "Trump Mobile". Aired 2-3p ET
Aired June 16, 2025 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
ISA SOARES, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Isa Soares. Tonight, the Israeli Air Force controls the skies
over Tehran. That is the message from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid new rounds of Israeli and Iranian attacks. We'll have the
very latest.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is meeting with world leaders in Canada at the critical G7 Summit. And the man accused of killing a
Minnesota lawmaker and her husband and shooting two others is in custody. We have new details on how a trail camera helped police track him down.
And we will have the latest from today's G7 Summit in just a moment. But first, casualties are mounting as Israel and Iran enter the fourth day of a
deadly conflict. This was the scene in Tel Aviv just a short time ago where Israel's air defenses scrambled to intercept a new Iranian attack.
Iran's Health Ministry says at least 224 people, most of them civilians, have been killed since Israel launched a wave of strikes on Friday. Israeli
officials say at least 24 people have been killed by Iranian missiles that penetrated the Iron Dome defense shield. As the death toll rises, some
residents are fleeing the Iranian capital, as you can see there, in search of safety.
I want to go straight to Jeremy Diamond who joins me now from Tel Aviv. And Jeremy, we are seeing the rhetoric continue to ratchet up at this hour with
Iranian state media reporting that Iran is preparing for, quote, "the largest and most intense missile attack in history of Israeli soil." Just
speak to Israel's preparedness.
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Yes, well, actually, just in the last 20 minutes or so, we got an alert here, which is part of the early
warning system for another barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles. This is supposed to be a warning that gives people 15 to 30 minutes before the
actual air raid sirens go off.
And so, we are anticipating another barrage. But we saw already last night, for example, that, that warning actually lasted some two hours over the
course of time of people waiting near protected spaces for that barrage. It wasn't clear exactly why that was happening, but it did seem like the
Israeli military was striking at those ballistic missile sites inside Iran at the same time, perhaps disrupting some of those launch plans.
But just a warning that if we do hear those sirens, we may need to cut away --
SOARES: Of course --
DIAMOND: As that happens. Now, this is clear that this is going to be taking place over the course of weeks now. That is the timeline that
Israeli and American officials have laid out for this Israeli operation. That is not a question of days, but rather one of weeks. And we are also
seeing as the Israeli military is expanding its target list inside Iran, not only striking at military and nuclear sites, senior Iranian military
leaders.
We saw, in fact, today, a couple of fighter jets that were destroyed by the Israeli military in Iran today. But we are also seeing the expansion to
strategic civilian sites as well, and residential neighborhoods in Tehran, the Iranian capital, that have been struck. In fact, we saw today long
lines of Iranians who were leaving the capital city on packed highways trying to get away amid this intensified Israeli bombardment campaign.
We also saw today a very dramatic moment, the Israeli military carrying out an airstrike at Iran's national broadcaster. That moment actually happened
as the broadcaster was live on the air. And you can hear not only the impact of the bomb or the missile in question, but also smoke, then filling
the studio as that happened.
And as that happened, it is quite clear that this is continuing to intensify between Israel and Iran, with no clear off ramps, having
presented themselves so far as the death toll is continuing to mount in Israel, 24 people have now been killed over the course of three nights of
Iranian ballistic missile attacks.
[14:05:00]
And in Iran, we are hearing from the Iranian Health Ministry that more than 224 people have been killed, they say that the majority of those are
civilians. Isa.
SOARES: Jeremy Diamond there for us, thanks very much, Jeremy, he's live for us in Tel Aviv. We'll keep our eye on those skies, of course. Let's get
more, our Nick Paton Walsh joins us now. And Nick, I mean, we heard Jeremy there talking about that attack that we saw in the what? Last hour or so
against Iranian TV.
That wasn't, of course, a nuclear site. That was a military site. I wonder what that tells us if anything at all, about the strategy from the Israelis
here.
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EDITOR: As Jeremy was saying, I think we're seeing a widening target list. The IDF have said that, that
particular site, the "IRN" state broadcaster, they say, was actually being used as a cover for military activity and providing any evidence in all of
that. But we've seen in the past that communication infrastructure has been considered to be potentially a target in instances like this.
And of course, you have to remember the emotional shockwave, too, of watching a state broadcaster have its broadcast interrupted mid-speech by a
blast like that. That indeed occurred in District 3 of Tehran, which had been issued with an evacuation order by the IDF in farsi, saying get out of
this particular large area, and that's indeed where that building was.
Extraordinary images of its exterior on fire put on social media afterwards. But it adds to a picture, I think, of the widening scope of
this inside of Tehran, top Israeli officials have said get out of Tehran, and I'm sure there will be echoes in the minds of many Iranians who see the
evacuation order like that be so reminiscent of what we saw in southern Beirut in the campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon last Summer.
Whole areas declared unsafe and people forced or told to immediately leave. Do we see more of that across the Iranian capital in the days ahead? Quite
possibly. It seems that those strikes are expanding. But indeed, here's what we've learned from the limited information and video we can get
outside of Iran of the civilian toll so far.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(WOMEN WAILING)
WALSH (voice-over): Screams echo across the ordinary streets of Tehran. The horrors in Iran are harder to find video of, but it's hard to watch
when you do. A deputy Foreign Minister posting this damage to his Ministry, several civilians injured, he said. Israel's Defense Minister clarified
Monday, he meant no harm to Tehran's residents when he said earlier, the city would burn unless Iran's missiles stop.
But many have seen flames already, and are fleeing the capital, nothing like this before in their lifetimes. In the western city of Kermanshah,
state media posted images of the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital damaged. The IDF told CNN, they were, quote, "not aware of any attack that happened
on a hospital in Iran", end quote, and it's unclear if anyone was hurt.
But numbers Iran's Health Ministry have given speak of just how wide scale the Israeli onslaught has been. Over 200 dead, 90 percent civilians since
Friday, they said. But each number, its own story, many from the youth that the West sees as the hope for Iran's post-Ayatollah future. This is Tara
Hajimiri(ph) dancing at the dentist killed alongside her family, said state media.
Also, Nelufar Galavant(ph) begin gyms on social media, age 31, killed alongside her parents. And Parnia Abbasi(ph), a poet, aged 23, killed with
her parents and brother. Her poem, the Extinguished Star reads, "you and I will come to an end somewhere. The most beautiful poem in the world falls
quiet."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: Devastating toll of course, this conflict is having. And we are only, of course, on day four, Nick. People heeding clearly the calls to
leave some of the areas that you were mentioning in Tehran. We've seen the large queues of traffic as people get out. Normally, moments like this,
people tend to rally around the flag, at this stage, is that the feeling or was it pure desperation, chaos to try and be safe. What is your sense?
WALSH: I think at the moment, we're seeing certainly desperation --
SOARES: Yes --
WALSH: Absolutely. I mean, look, these are gridlocked roads --
SOARES: Yes --
WALSH: So, it's very hard to flee a capital of tens of millions of individuals suddenly in a matter of hours, particularly, a big district
like District 3. So, certainly panic. Absolutely. But I think it would be incorrect to think that this notion of regime-change pushed around, I think
quite a lot by Israel's allies is something real and imminent at the moment.
There does appear to be obviously a huge amount of anger, a capital city like Iran being bombed by the Israelis in the way that has indeed occurred,
and that hasn't translated into anger of necessarily the Iranian government at this particular point. So, I think we may see a burst, perhaps, of
nationalism --
SOARES: Yes --
WALSH: Before we see some sort of sense of longer-term change. Look, be in no doubt, the damage the Israeli military is doing to Iran's military will
probably have a long-term effect, and there will be infrastructure damage as well. That may leave them weaker, but they've always excelled at
repressing internal dissent.
[14:10:00]
So, I think the idea of some sudden overnight revolution is perhaps a little far-fetched at the moment. All very unpredictable. But Isa, the
bigger question we have to ask ourselves really, is how long can this potentially --
SOARES: Yes --
WALSH: Go on for? Iran has hinted that it doesn't want to get involved in diplomacy until it -- felt it's responded to Israel's airstrikes, and also,
Israel's airstrikes have indeed stopped. And if we look at Israel now saying it has air superiority, it believes that -- and the words of
Benjamin Netanyahu controls west of Iran and Tehran's skies.
That isn't a position from where you'd necessarily choose to stop military operations. They can now look for targets of choice. They can degrade
military energy infrastructure, things of their choosing to leave a very weakened Iran for the decades ahead. And I think ultimately, it's that
strategic goal that's becoming clearer.
And that may well take, as Jeremy was suggesting, certainly days, weeks, maybe at some point everyone's inventory of ammunitions is going to start
running low to the point where they're concerned. Probably Iran's first -- but yes, I mean, this is startling, frankly, and it's reshaping the region
for the years to come.
SOARES: Indeed, I think that leads us nicely into the diplomacy and how we can de-escalate this. Nick, thank you very much indeed. Well, with conflict
flaring in the Middle East, world leaders are convening in Canada for the G7 Summit to talk about security as well as the global economy. Member
nations aim to press U.S. President Trump on how the U.S. plans to deal with Israel and Iran.
According to a source, Trump does not intend to sign a joint statement by G7 leaders calling for diplomacy and de-escalation. Instead, Trump told
reporters that Iran is, quote, "not winning this war". Let's bring in our Paula Newton from Dead Man's Flats in Alberta, where the summit is taking
place. So, Paula, a full agenda, of course, for G7 leaders, though, I imagine this widening conflict as we heard from Nick Paton Walsh, will
probably be front and center. Where do the G7 leaders -- where do they stand on the conflict? I mean, how divergent are their views here?
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Not divergent at all, except when it comes to President Trump, and Isa, they are in meetings at this hour.
Canadian officials saying that, look, they do not believe that they're going to get substantively to this issue of Israel and Iran until later
this evening. Having said that, Canadian officials also to me, are pushing back on the fact that Donald Trump will not sign on -- at least, the White
House is saying now, will likely not sign on to a statement from the G7 leaders to de-escalate.
Canadian officials saying, look, we're not there yet. Let these conversations happen. This is a very intimate setting. I have to stress to
you again, they are in a secluded location, just a little far -- a little further away from where we are right now, in the mountains, in the Canadian
Rockies. Right now at the table, just eight leaders. That is all.
And this is crucial in terms of trying to understand where they can get to on that joint statement on de-escalation. I want you to listen now, though,
to President Trump, as he was having that bilateral meeting with Mark Carney just a couple of hours ago, and what he said about getting to a
negotiated settlement. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They have to make a deal. And it's painful for both parties. But I'd say Iran is not winning this
war. And they should talk and they should talk immediately before it's too late.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And what would you say, in your opinion, what would it take for the U.S. to get involved in this conflict militarily?
TRUMP: I don't want to talk about that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEWTON: Yes, so telling there, Isa, that he would just not say what it would take. But the point is, that is on the table. It's not like he's
ruling that out. I think at this point in time, the President himself is taking a wait-and-see attitude to the way things will unfold for 24 to 48
hours. But he is open to listening, especially to European leaders on two points.
One is, how the United States is willing or able to use its leverage with Israel to get them to back off and perhaps come to some kind of a temporary
ceasefire, but also, Isa, to make sure that Russia is not involved. And that is the key point where President Trump is still not convinced. He
believes that Russia has a role to play in terms of de-escalating this, whereas especially the European leaders are saying, look, Russia has
everything to gain from Israel and Iran going through this kind of a conflict.
And they would not be helpful in any kind of de-escalation. They also say that they're completely discredited, given the war that continues in
Ukraine. Isa, look, at this point in time, these leaders, all of them have a very good working relationship with Donald Trump, which couldn't have
been said even in his first term. We'll see where they end up at the end of this summit. And if they have a statement -- and again, a statement, right?
It's only words. They need --
SOARES: Yes --
NEWTON: To understand what kind of leverage they bring to bear with both Israel and Iran.
SOARES: Yes, because we have heard President Trump call for a deal to be done, but not really calling for de-escalation. So, it will be interesting
to see what comes out of this. Paula, good to see you. Thank you very much indeed.
[14:15:00]
Well, the Israeli military says it's destroyed more than 120 of Iran's missile launchers, knocking out a third of Iran's total arsenal. On Sunday
alone, the Israeli Air Force reported, it took out more than 20 surface-to- surface missiles. CNN cannot independently verify the IDF's claims. And this map we're showing you here just gives you a sense, really, of the
scope of Israel's strikes so far, including strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and oil facilities.
Meantime, Iran is launching more retaliatory strikes. Some of these attacks are making it past Israel's Iron Dome as we heard from our Jeremy Diamond
at the top of the hour. One, of course, the Iron Dome is one of the most complex as well as extensive air defense systems in the world. Let's get
more on -- I'm joined now by Colin Clarke, he's the director of Policy and Research at the Soufan Group and author of "After the Caliphate, the
Islamic State and the Future Terrorist Diaspora".
Colin, welcome back to the show. You know, this is incredibly -- as we've just heard from both our correspondents, incredibly dangerous moment as
both sides clearly continue to escalate their operations. Prime Minister Netanyahu said his country -- you probably heard this, controls Tehran's
skies.
What is your assessment of what Israel has targeted and how effective those strikes have been? Do we know? Is it too soon to tell at this moment?
COLIN CLARKE, DIRECTOR OF POLICY & RESEARCH, SOUFAN GROUP: Well, thanks for having me, Isa. Well, I think for a proper and formal battle damage
assessment, we need more time. However, based on some of the statements we're seeing from the Israelis, based on the fact that, as some of the
previous guests noted, the conflict is actually expanding and we're moving actually toward escalation and away from de-escalation.
I think the Israelis are emboldened by the targets that they've struck by the surface-to-air missiles and missile defense systems that they've taken
out. And let's not forget, this isn't the first time Israel has started attempting to degrade these systems. There was major skirmishes back in
April and October of last year where they were kind of wearing these down already. Now, they feel that they have aerial superiority, and we could see
this continuing for days, if not weeks.
SOARES: So, in that case, I mean, you probably saw the video -- I'm going to ask my producer Vicky, to bring that up of, you know, the Israeli, the
IDF taking out TV presenter and a network, a TV network -- not the presenter, I'm not -- that's not clear at this stage, but a TV network. We
saw that strike, that is not military target, that is not a nuclear facility. What is your understanding of Israel's goals here?
CLARKE: Well, that's a good question. And I think it actually points to the fact that Israel itself may not know what its goals are, or its end
game are, beyond inflicting massive pain and damage on first, the supreme leader, who is going to be held responsible for -- at least in the eyes of
the Israelis, for what's going on.
And if you look at this, this is pretty much the Hezbollah model. If we go back to last Fall, where the Israelis took out much of the senior
leadership of Iranian military and Intelligence, I mean, some of the biggest names that the Iranians have. And so, now, you've got this, you
know, really this vacancy chain in Iranian leadership, its degrading command and control.
And I think everything is on the table, including going after the supreme leader himself, even though President Trump has said the U.S. wouldn't sign
off on that. The rhetoric has changed in the last 24 hours, and I'm seeing Netanyahu being a bit more bullish toward that end.
SOARES: And on just -- on the military attacking the studio, the IDF saying that the -- it was being used -- they targeted communication center
that was being used for military purposes by the Iranian Armed Forces. Let's turn, if we can, to then, how -- you know, if there is an off-ramp
here because President Trump has, you know, has acknowledged that U.S. involvement in this conflict is a possibility. Senator Lindsey Graham has
also chimed in, and this is what he said. Just have a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC): If diplomacy is not successful and we're left with the option of force, I would urge President Trump to go all in to make
sure that when this operation is over, there's nothing left standing in Iran regarding their nuclear program. If that means providing bombs,
provide bombs, if that means --
MARGARET BRENNAN, CBS: Busting bombs?
GRAHAM: Whatever bombs, if it means flying with Israel, fly with Israel.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Colin, what's your take? I mean, should the U.S. get involved? Speak to those risks and whether the calculus could change from the U.S.
perspective here.
CLARKE: I was actually watching that live yesterday, "Face the Nation" with Margaret Brennan, and I kind of, you know, was taken aback. Graham is
a well-known Iran hawk --
SOARES: Yes --
CLARKE: But urging the United States to join the Israelis in any kind of regime change is just foolish. It also shows very little understanding of
recent history, whether it's Iraq or Libya. Regime change has not worked out well anywhere because we're often and almost always unable to predict
the second and third order effects of what happens.
[14:20:00]
And so, I think that would be largely a disastrous move. But you're going to see continued pressure building from within the kind of camp of Iran
hawks in the U.S., for President Trump to do something, I really hope cooler heads prevail and we move towards some kind of de-escalation
strategy in off-ramp immediately.
Otherwise, this conflict is going to continue to escalate, and as we saw with the attack on the television station, it's going to expand beyond
military targets and more civilians are going to die on both sides.
SOARES: Unfortunately, and right now, it doesn't look that, that is the case, not even from a diplomatic perspective as we heard from our Paula
Newton there at the G7 in Canada. Then it takes me back to the question that Nick Paton Walsh was posing, Colin, which is, you know, how long can
Iran sustain this?
You know, we know that the IDF has destroyed more than 120 of Iran's missile launchers, which is, I think we said it's the third of its total --
just -- that's over just four days. How long can Iran sustain this intensity?
CLARKE: Well, I think Iran's got a high threshold for pain, you know, and I think can sustain it in perpetuity. One of the things that I've been
trying to think through is, where does Iran turn next? And does it kind of turn to its comparative advantage, which is traditional terrorism? Do we
start seeing terrorist attacks outside of the Middle East?
You know, think back to what happened in Latin America in the 1990s, that certainly well within Iran's purview. And so, I'm very concerned about
U.S.-Israeli embassies, U.S.-Israeli citizens abroad, and what happens on that front.
SOARES: Can you expand on that, Colin? I mean, it's your area of expertise. Speak to really where Iran could be -- could be looking at. I
know Hezbollah has been weakened. You and I have discussed this. The Houthis are there --
CLARKE: Right --
SOARES: Where are the other pressure points that you think they can tap into, that would be at risk?
CLARKE: Look, Iran is a global -- you know, has a global presence. Hezbollah has a global presence. And even though many of the members of the
Axis of Resistance have been weakened and significantly weakened, there's still a presence in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, all over the
world. If you think back to what happened in Bulgaria in 2012, there was a bus bombing against Israeli tourists.
Khobar Towers, 1996. We know Iran was behind that and multiple attacks in Latin America. So, there are pressure points all over the world. There's
been Hezbollah operatives arrested in the United States for surveillance and casing targets. I think that's kind of a line of last resort for the
Iranians. But where things are going, we could very well get there.
SOARES: Colin Clarke, always great to get your analysis. Thanks very much, Colin, good to see you.
CLARKE: Thanks, Isa.
SOARES: And still to come tonight, the Iran-Israel conflict is having an impact, as you can imagine on the oil market. We'll have a live look at the
markets and check in with our Matt Egan, that's after the break. And then the suspected gunman in the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers and their
spouses will face first degree murder charges. We'll have more on that just ahead. You are watching CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:25:00]
SOARES: The suspect in the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses will be charged with first degree murder. Acting U.S. Attorney
Jeffrey Thompson described Vance Boelter's crimes as, quote, "chilling", adding, "they are the stuff of nightmares." State Representative Melissa
Hortman and her husband were fatally shot at their home on Saturday after state Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot and wounded at their
home.
The gunman's motives hasn't been determined. However, the suspect had an apparent hit-list with dozens of names, including some with ties to Planned
Parenthood or abortion rights. Meanwhile, mourners have gathered outside Minnesota state capitol to pay tribute to the slain lawmaker and her
husband. A memorial of flowers and notes, as you can see there were left outside the buildings on Sunday.
Our affiliate, "WCCO CBS" in Minneapolis shares a glimpse of who Hortman was.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your next speaker of the House, Melissa Hortman!
CAROLINE CUMMINGS, WCCO REPORTER (voice-over): This is how Melissa Hortman spent her days standing for the issues she believed in.
MELISSA HORTMAN, LATE MINNEAPOLIS HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE: Gun violence prevention.
(CHEERS)
(APPLAUSE)
HORTMAN: Universal health care.
(CHEERS)
(APPLAUSE)
HORTMAN: Fully funding our schools.
CUMMINGS: She spent her nights in Brooklyn Park with these three, her beloved children and her husband Mark. Before becoming a mother, she was a
student first at Blaine High School, then Boston University, where she worked for then-Senator Al Gore, starting her own path to politics in 2004,
the Minnesota State House. She spoke from that very House just days ago, a proud Democrat who respected Republicans.
HORTMAN: And I think in the end, fighting for that equal shared power made this a better session.
CUMMINGS: A session that got emotional over health care for undocumented immigrants.
HORTMAN: What I worry about is the people who will lose their health insurance. I know that people will be hurt by that vote, and I'm -- we
worked very hard to try to get a budget deal that wouldn't include that provision. And we tried any other way we could to come to a budget
agreement with Republicans, and they wouldn't have it. So, you know, I did what leaders do, I stepped up and I got the job done for the people of
Minnesota.
CUMMINGS: Now, the ones emotional are the ones who knew her. "WCCO" reporter Caroline Cummings was behind the microphone just days ago.
(on camera): This really hits home, that these are people just like you and me, and that's where you can leave your politics at the door and mourn
and pray for the families and the loved ones they have lost. Because I know the Hortman family has two children who are mourning their parents.
(voice-over): Just hours before those beloved parents were taken, they posed in each other's arms at a DFL fundraiser.
RYAN WINKLER, HORTMAN'S FRIEND: Everybody who goes to the state legislature does so because in their mind, according to their point of
view, they are doing -- trying to do the right thing for the people of the state, and they're friends and neighbors who sacrifice a lot. Their
families sacrifice a lot for them to serve. And certainly, Mark Hortman sacrificed -- and the Hortman family has sacrificed more than anybody
should.
CUMMINGS: A sacrifice in the name of public service to all.
HORTMAN: We really are one Minnesota. And Paul Wellstone was right, we all do better when we all do better.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: And that was Caroline Cummings reporting. We have more news after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:32:24]
SOARES: Welcome back, everyone. The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran is about to enter its fifth day with nervous civilians on both sides
and a death toll that continues to increase. More than 200 people have been killed in Iran, and at least 24 have died in Israel since attacks began
last week.
Iran State Media was hit in an Israeli attack while a television anchor, as you can see there, was broadcasting live. And it happened after Israel
issued an evacuation warning for parts of Tehran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel controls the skies over Tehran, certainly a
chilling statement for all Iranians.
My colleague Bianna Golodryga spoke to Israel's former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, earlier. He told her the U.S. has a vital role to play in the
Middle East as Iran refuses to curb its nuclear ambitions. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
YOAV GALLANT, FORMER ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER: The United States of America and the president of the United States have an obligation to make
sure that the region is going to a positive way and that the world is free from Iran that possess nuclear weapon in the middle of the richest place in
oil and gas in the world. This could be a disaster for the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: I want to welcome Trita Parsi, the executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for a Responsible Statecraft. He's also the author of
"Losing an Enemy." Trita, good to see you. This is, as we've been outlining for the last half an hour here on the show, quite a perilous moment for
both countries and indeed for the region.
We've seen the IDF hitting state media, showing the world that they -- as they have said, that they have stated control over the skies over Tehran.
What do you think of this -- the significance of the strike that we've seen on -- in the last, what, two hours or so on that TV channel?
TRITA PARSI, EXECUTIVE VP, THE QUINCY INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIBLE STATECRAFT: We have seen a remarkable rallying around the flag phenomenon in Iran since
the Israelis started this war, which to some extent was perhaps a bit surprising, at least mindful of how unpopular this regime is at the end of
the day. But with the Israelis hitting civilian targets, apartment buildings, TV stations, the city center in Tabriz (ph), to also, of course,
yesterday announcing that they set off five car bombs in Tehran. I mean, that's essentially the definition of terrorism. This type of things are
creating the opposite of what the Israelis appear to have been looking for. Because you're having a rallying around the flag phenomenon in Iran.
[14:35:00]
That TV station, incidentally, is extremely unpopular. But now, that anchor is being hailed as a hero because only 20 minutes later she was back in
that studio continuing her live reporting. So, I think that if there was a belief on the Israeli side that this in any way, shape, or form would
actually bring about the type of revolution that they may be looking for, at least initially, it's been quite the opposite because of the way that
they're indiscriminately targeting civilians.
SOARES: That is such important context that you are offering, Trita, because I wonder then what the Israeli -- pardon me, the Iranian calculus
is here. Will the Iranian regime -- I mean, what will be the decision? They'll have to make a decision in terms of how the they proceed. They keep
this up or seek a path to de-escalation and negotiations. At this juncture, how do you think they will move?
PARSI: I think the premise of your question is a bit off, to be frank with you, because it seems -- because it's kind of presumes that there weren't
negotiations. Negotiations were scheduled for this past Sunday. The Israelis blew up the negotiating table. There were talks taking place. The
U.S. insisted until the last moment that they would take place. The Israelis bombed the negotiating table.
So, it's not as if the Iranians were not at the table and some effort needed to be done to get them to the table. They were there. They were
scheduled to talk. It was the sixth round. Progress was being made. The Israeli sabotaged it.
SOARES: Right. But -- I hear you. I hear you. We've been following those too. But then, from a Iranian perspective, do you then -- how do you
proceed? We've heard Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just say in the last few moments that, you know, he was asked whether he'll be interested in
negotiations, in a ceasefire, and he said, no thank you. We've heard President Trump also in Canada today declining to sign a G7 statement on
the conflict, calling, of course -- he didn't -- doesn't want to call -- hasn't called so far for a de-escalation. How do you read this moment then,
Trita?
PARSI: So, I think it's very important that you raise that issue because it essentially says that if the Iranians even were to say, OK, they want to
ceasefire, it wouldn't matter because the Israelis have already said that they don't, just as much as they have said for a year and a half, they
don't want to ceasefire in Gaza, they didn't want to ceasefire in Lebanon.
So, I don't think the problem is that the Iranians have not decided to agree to a ceasefire. I think what this has done, it has actually
dramatically weakened Washington's and Trump's negotiating position, because it's going to be very much more difficult to get back to the table
for both sides, and the Iranians are likely going to come back with a toughened position rather than a softened position.
Yes, they've taken major hits, no doubt about that. The nuclear program, however, is still there and the attitudes of the public as well as the
elites have now dramatically, unfortunately, but predictably shifted in favor of weaponization, which was not the case before. So, the narrow --
the path for Trump to get a deal has actually been further narrowed with what the Israelis have done, and it's difficult to believe that that was
not intentional.
SOARES: Trita, I heard U.S. and Israeli officials speaking about Israel's operation in Iran, and they said that this is expected to take weeks not
days. What then does an off-ramp look like to you?
PARSI: I fear that the longer this goes on, the fewer off-ramps there will be. The best off-ramp is actually to do something quickly now, and that
means, on the one hand, Trump putting an end to what the Israelis have started, pressuring them to stop. On the other hand, reach out to the
Iranians, convince them to come back to a new form of negotiation. But this will be tough nevertheless, because the Iranians believe that Trump was
completely in on it, right or wrong, that's their perception.
But if this goes on for much longer, more civilian deaths, heartening attitudes on all sides. It's going to become even more difficult for Trump
to be able to get the deal that he promised. And at this point, he doesn't have a single deal. He promised one in Gaza. He promised one in Ukraine. He
promised one in Iran. He has zero so far.
SOARES: And we shall see, of course, what comes out of the G7. So far, particularly does not -- at this moment, does not look good. Trita Parsi,
really appreciate your insight. Thank you, Trita.
PARSI: Thank you.
SOARES: Now, as the world turns, its attention to Israel's conflict with Iran, the war rages on in Gaza. The Palestinian Health Ministry says at
least 20 people were killed while lining up for aid today. And it happened near an aid distribution site in Rafah in Southern Gaza. Around 200 people
were injured. Israel has contested the death toll, accusing Hamas of causing much of the mayhem.
And still to come tonight, world leaders gather in Canada, as I was saying, to tackle world economic problems, but war overshadows everything they do.
We'll look at what they're hoping to achieve. That is next.
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[14:40:00]
SOARES: And updating our top story. The G7 Summit is underway in Canada at this hour. Trade has taken a backseat to war in the two-day event, all of
the G7 member nations signed a draft, joint statement calling for de- escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict, except for U.S. President Donald Trump. The leaders will, however, discuss global trades, as you can
imagine, how to safeguard their citizens.
I want to bring in Kristen Holmes, who's live in Calgary, Alberta. So, Kristen, just explain to our viewers right around the world why President
Trump has declined to sign this G7 statement calling for de-escalation. What are you learning on that?
KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes. I mean, that's still the big question here, because we're looking at the statement and
what we know about it. We haven't seen the actual final copy. But in the draft, it says all the same things that President Trump has been saying. It
calls for de-escalation from both Israel and Iran. It also says that Iran should never have a nuclear weapon, and it says that Israel has the right
to defend itself. So, when I went to the White House and just started talking to a senior administration official, they told me that it's because
Donald Trump is already leading the messaging. He's already saying that. Why does he need to sign on to this messaging with the other leaders of the
G7?
And when I push back a little bit asking, well, what about for unity, for messaging, togetherness, saying we're all pushing for the same thing? They
said they thought it was enough of a sign of unity that Donald Trump showed up here at all. That they requested -- the other leaders of the G7 he be
here. He's came. He's doing the meetings, and that is enough of a sign of unity. So, he has clearly a different view, this administration than even
his last one. But the most presidents have had about what the G7 is, this kind of relationship with your allies to talk through various things.
Now, you talk about how trade took a backseat to war here. Donald Trump's main goal is still to come out of this with trade deals. Obviously, that
the forefront is what we are seeing right now unfold in the Middle East. But when it comes to Donald Trump's ambitions, it is all about the economy
and all about those trade deals. Because you have to remember that we are sitting here with the backdrop being a global trade war, as well as those
reciprocal tariffs taking place. We are almost at that July 9th date when they are supposed to be enforced. We know the E.U., that Japan are all
trying to come up with deals. They'll be here.
To come -- to decide whether or not they can participate in those trade deals or receive these, quote/unquote, "letters," which are something
Donald Trump refers to as letters sent from either Scott Bessent or Howard Lutnick, the secretaries of treasury and commerce to these governments
setting unilateral tariffs.
[14:45:00]
So, the Trump administration, their goal really is to come out of this with trade deals, but everyone else, they want to come out of this with some
kind of cohesive messaging. Also, these leaders are really using this as an opportunity to try and suss Trump out on where he stands on a number of
things. I mean, he is still the president of the United States, that is a longtime ally with most of these countries. They need to know where he
stands exactly on this war in the Middle East, where he stands exactly on the war in Ukraine, where he stands exactly on the war in Gaza. These are
all things that these leaders are trying to get to the bottom of and use this opportunity to get everyone in the same room to have these
discussions.
SOARES: Kristen Holmes there for us in Calgary. Thanks very much, Kristen. And still to come tonight, a new smartphone and mobile service with the
Trump name all over it. We'll have a live report on the latest business move from the United States president's family. That story next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: Welcome back, everyone. The conflict between Israel and Iran can have a big impact on the financial markets. I want to have a look at the
U.S. markets at this hour. So, far, green arrows is right across the board. Positive, very positive indeed. It is a very different case though for the
oil market, which has been fluctuating somewhat over the past four, five days. A live look at that is doing now. Brent Crude down, just one and a
half percent. A similar picture with the WTI Crude Oil. Oil prices soared, adding to the 7 percent surge from last week.
Let's put it all into context for you. Matt Egan is in New York with the latest. And, Matt, we've seen Iran striking Haifa oil refinery Israel,
we've seen Israel striking Iran oil assets. We've seen oil down somewhat. Markets are taking it in this stride. How much is already priced in? Speak
to that.
MATT EGAN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Well, Isa, you're right. I mean, this crisis has escalated over the weekend and it's spread to energy
infrastructure, which is certainly concerning. And yet, it's noteworthy that the oil market has been calm today, eerily calm, right? I mean, oil
futures starting the week solidly in the red. Both Brent Crude and WTI, the U.S. benchmark, down more than one and a half, around 2 percent on the day.
[14:50:00]
Of course, this comes after that spike last week, right? Oil prices surged 13 percent, the most in any week since October of 2022. And it was
triggered by all these concerns that the Israel-Iran conflict could end up disrupting oil flows from a region that accounts for roughly half of the
planet's oil reserves.
As far as why prices are down today, I think one factor is the fact that so far oil exports out of the Middle East do not appear to have been
significantly impacted by this conflict. Also, investors are likely relieved that sources have told CNN that President Trump rejected Israeli
plans to kill Iran's supreme leader, and that Trump has argued that a deal here is possible.
Still, though, Isa, to your point, it did not take long at all for energy infrastructure to get targeted here, right? We had natural gas facilities,
oil depots, refineries, all of them getting hit. RBC analysts, Helima Croft, she warned clients that energy is now clearly in the cross hairs of
the Israel-Iran conflict. And we see the risk of a serious supply outage increasing significantly in an extended war scenario.
And Croft went on to warn that if Iranian leadership becomes convinced that Israel is going for regime change here, well then Tehran could just end up
going into survival mode by attacking regional energy facilities. The big fear is, what you can see on your screen right there, the Strait of Hormuz,
right, that's the all-important narrow waterway that connects the oil rich Persian Gulf to the world's oceans, right? This is how Saudi Arabia and the
UAE and other nations like Kuwait get their oil to market.
Now, the fear is that there'd be some sort of disruption that interrupts the flow of oil out of the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts, though, they stress
that it's unlikely that Iran would turn to that, in part because it would just anger, the rest of the world. It would force a U.S. response. Still
though, I think at the end of the day, this crisis does pose a new risk to the U.S. economy, to the world economy. JPMorgan stressed over the weekend
that if there were a sustained increase in energy prices, it would have a quote, "dire impact" on inflation.
And so, GasBuddy, other analysts are projecting that, yes, gas prices are likely to go higher in the coming days and weeks. They're already creeping
higher over the past week. And the question though is how much higher do they go? And I think the answer to that question is decided by just how
much this conflict escalates and whether or not energy infrastructure really gets damaged here. Isa.
SOARES: Matt Egan, laying it all out for us. Thanks very much, Matt. Appreciate it.
EGAN: Thanks.
SOARES: And finally, a new chapter in the U.S. president's financial empire. Donald Trump's family has launched Trump Mobile, a new mobile
service, and $499 smartphone branded with the Trump name. Donald Trump Jr. says it's part of a broader product rollout with service or major carrier
networks and features like telemedicine and international texting. While the U.S. president says he's handed business operations to his children, to
avoid conflicts of interest, the family continues to earn hundreds of millions from tech, crypto, and media ventures.
CNN's Tech Editor Lisa Eadicicco joins me live from New York. Oh, I have so many questions. First of all, Lisa, where did this come from?
LISA EADICICCO, CNN BUSINESS TECH EDITOR: So, it sounds like this service was launched as an alternative to the big carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile,
AT&T, for example. Don Jr. said at a press event this morning that he -- that there's been lackluster performance in the mobile industry, and that's
part of why they're doing this.
But also, what's really central to this is the made in America branding that we're seeing throughout this. They're really branding the service and
the phone that's coming out later this year as being an option that was made in America. And that's something that's been really integral to the
Trump administration's just their policy so far, they've put a lot of pressure on companies like Apple and Samsung to make their products in the
U.S.
So, even though this is from the Trump organization and is technically separate, it does also drive home that messaging, that technology should be
made in the U.S. according to the president.
SOARES: It's also drives home the price. I mean, it's exceptionally -- it's very expensive, $499. How is it being received?
EADICICCOM: So, $499 is expensive, but it's actually on the cheaper side for certain smartphones. When you think of something like the latest iPhone
or the latest Samsung Galaxy phone, those devices can cost about a thousand dollars or more, and the 500 range is actually seen more in the budget
option. But again, it really depends on what you're getting for your money. And this is a device that we really don't know much about yet.
There is some information about the hardware listed on the website. But we have no idea really what kind of processor is in this thing, what the
camera's going to be like. All of these things that people really care about in their phone. We don't really know much about how that will hold up
just yet.
[14:55:00]
SOARES: And do we have any details on (INAUDIBLE)? I mean, who's leading this? I think one of his children. But also, the parts itself. I know this
has been a huge back and forth on the question of trade wars, but is this phone made in America when we break that down into the parts?
EADICICCOM: So, we don't know just yet. The website does say that it will be built and designed in the United States, but that is a really, really
difficult challenge that even tech companies like Apple that have been doing this for decades haven't been able to do so. It does seem like a
challenge. I am skeptical that the phone itself, that everything inside the phone will come from the U.S. because a lot of manufacturers and suppliers
are based overseas as well. So, it'll be a challenge for sure.
SOARES: Not sure whether you can call a revolutionizing cell phone, but we'll leave it at that. Thank you very much indeed.
And that does it for us for tonight. Thanks very much for your company. Do stay right here. "What We Know with Max Foster" is up next.
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