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Isa Soares Tonight

Israel And Iran Call A Halt To Their Attacks On One Another; Elections In Kosovo Fails To Break Months Of Political Deadlock As No Party Gains a Clear Majority; President Trump Set To Attend Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals Game In New York; Kosovars Frustrated With Months-Long Political Deadlock; Netanyahu: Israeli Strikes On Iran Have Ceased For Now; Airline Trade Group Expects $100B Jump In Fuel Costs; Xi Visits North Korea For First Time In Seven Years. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired June 08, 2026 - 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, Iran and Israel call a halt to their

attacks on one another, but issue fresh warnings over Lebanon. We'll have the very latest for you from the Middle East.

Then elections in Kosovo failed to break months of political deadlock as no party gains a clear majority. I'll be joined by the former President of

Kosovo this hour. Plus, a sports showdown in New York with major security implications.

We are live from Madison Square Garden ahead of President Trump's arrival at the NBA finals. All that and much more ahead for you. We do begin this

hour with breaking news in a very tenuous ceasefire is hanging by a thread this hour after the worst escalation of violence between Israel and Iran in

months.

Both say they have halted attacks on the other for now, after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded they stop shooting. But both are also

issuing new warnings over Lebanon, raising fears of another all-out war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke just a short time ago. He says Iran is trying to create a new equation by linking the conflict in

Lebanon to an Iranian response. Israel is vowing to continue hitting Hezbollah, setting up a standoff really with no end in sight. Mr. Netanyahu

had this message for Iran. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER, ISRAEL (through translator): At the moment, the fire has ceased, because after we struck the terror regime in

Tehran, it stopped attacking us. If the terror regime in Iran makes the mistake of attacking us again, we will respond with force.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, the back-and-forth attacks began over the weekend when Iran fired missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli attacks on Beirut.

Israel struck back with attacks on Iran. And the violence is threatening to sink President Trump's attempts to broker a lasting peace.

An Israeli official says the U.S. leader has spoken by phone with Mr. Netanyahu twice in the last 24 hours. Let's get more now from our Jeremy

Diamond, who is in Tel Aviv for us this hour, Kristen Holmes, as you can see there, joins us from Washington.

Jeremy, let me start with you, because Prime Minister Netanyahu, as we've heard today, vowing to press ahead with its military campaign in Lebanon,

despite, of course, that threat that we just laid out from Iran. So, just bring us up-to-date with the very latest and whether Israel is anticipating

further strikes here.

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Well, listen, we have been experiencing real whiplash over the course of the last 24 hours. I mean,

you know, less than 24 hours ago, we were reporting on these Iranian ballistic missile strikes against Israel.

Multiple waves of attacks overnight, Israel firing two waves of attacks at Iran, striking military facilities as well as the petrochemical facility

inside of Iran. But now, we are in a place where here in Israel, things are going back to normal.

The home front command restrictions are being relaxed once again, with schools expected to resume tomorrow after being called off today and

initially scheduled to be called off tomorrow. This comes after both Iran and Israel are vowing not to attack each other.

But there is one major caveat to that, particularly on Iran's side. And that's because Iran has said that should Israel attack either its it,

meaning Iran or should Israel carry out strikes in southern Lebanon? Then that would mean that Iran would once again carry out new strikes against

Israel.

And that is where we could see this conflict resume once again, just as quickly as it seems to have now died down, because Israel has already

carried out additional airstrikes in southern Lebanon today. And the Israeli Prime Minister, Defense Minister and other top officials are vowing

that they will continue to intensify their attacks against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, if necessary.

And so, that could put us right back to where we were yesterday with an Israeli strike on the Lebanese capital of Beirut, prompting Iran to carry

out ballistic missile attacks against Israel.

[14:05:00]

But the X factor here could be, President Trump, of course, who we've seen very clearly prioritize the diplomacy with Iran, the possibility of a deal

with Iran, bringing to bear a lot of political pressure on the Israeli Prime Minister not to carry out further attacks against Iran, to de-

escalate the situation instead.

But once again, questions about how potentially imminent or even attainable that deal between the U.S. and Iran actually is.

SOARES: Yes, and let me go to Kristen on that. Kristen, I'm sure you heard Jeremy there. The X factor could be President Trump because -- and it's

interesting, given everything that Jeremy just laid out for us, because it's clear from what we've heard from Iran thus far that Hezbollah and its

fight against Israel is linked to Iran. So, where does this leave negotiations?

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's the big question right now. What we know is that President Trump and Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu have had two calls in the last 24 hours in which, essentially, President Trump has asked Netanyahu to back down, as we have

seen.

That has led to what we believe to be some sort of ceasefire, at least, directly between Israel and Iran. But one of the things to remember here is

that the muscle that President Trump has continued to flex when it comes to Iran and these negotiations has been his ability to control or exert

control over Netanyahu, over Israel when it comes to strikes.

So, even just the mere idea that he had warned Netanyahu not to retaliate, and then Netanyahu did, could harm negotiations moving forward. Now, we

know President Trump, he does not want to be involved in any sort of restart of the war, at least, when it comes to the United States'

involvement in striking Iran.

He is, as Jeremy said, looking for some kind of diplomatic off-road. But what we understand is that, there hasn't been much movement in terms of

negotiations of actual kind of passing back-and-forth.

This Memorandum of Understanding for roughly a week-and-a-half, the last that we understand an actual version of this went back to Iran, came from

the United States, from President Trump, who wanted stricter language on this Memorandum of Understanding.

And since then, while we are hearing from the United States, from U.S. officials, from various officials, intermediaries, that there are ongoing

negotiations, we haven't really seen the needle moving forward at all.

And one of the things we have heard from President Trump, really now for several weeks is this idea that a deal is imminent, only to then have

another event happen, whether it be --

SOARES: Yes --

HOLMES: Strikes in Iran or in Lebanon, that kind of sets everything back, or at least, puts everything on hold. The big question, of course, being

what kind of muscle can and will President Trump be willing to flex, be willing to kind of push Netanyahu in specific ways?

It does seem as though while they have been obviously aligned, their strikes going into Iran were done together in conjunctions. However, it

seems as though at this point, they have kind of hit a veer in the road or a split in the road --

SOARES: Yes --

HOLMES: In which they have differences of opinions on what the objectives are. At the end of the day, with President Trump, though, he is still going

to have to be able to control Netanyahu and Israel as a whole when it comes to these strikes if he is going to be able to come to any sort of deal with

Iran.

SOARES: You're up-to-date there from the White House, Kristen Holmes, and of course, from Israel with our Jeremy Diamond. Thank you to you both. Let

me take you inside Iran because a conservative lawmaker says his country is waiting to be convinced that President Trump is sincere in his

negotiations.

Ebrahim Azizi is the head of the Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee. He sat down with our Fred Pleitgen in the capital,

Tehran, and of course, we should note for you, CNN operates in Iran only with the permission of the government, but we maintain full editorial

control of our reports.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: President Trump also says that an agreement between Iran and America is close for peace. Do

you agree that it's close, and are the negotiations still going on?

EBRAHIM AZIZI, HEAD OF NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN POLICY COMMITTEE, IRANIAN PARLIAMENT (through translator): We don't think that he's honest.

But we have said many times that we accept the negotiation as a continuation of the battlefield.

We consider negotiation to be part of the battle. If we could be convinced that there is sincerity in the Americans, especially in the President of

the United States, and if we could reach confidence that they are people of negotiation, and that they also submit to the rules of negotiation, then

the Islamic Republic would have no problem with negotiating.

PLEITGEN: What are the biggest sticking points now in the negotiations?

AZIZI: We do not see a serious will to reach a framework that could actually be implemented. And I think with regard to Iran's blocked assets,

this is in fact, a very clear and prominent example of that. As for uranium-enriched materials, enrichment itself, the nuclear issues, we are

not currently negotiating on those matters.

[14:10:00]

There is no discussion of them, because it is not intended that we should have negotiations on those issues at this stage.

PLEITGEN: Will there be a peace agreement between the United States and Iran?

AZIZI: It depends on the behaviors that we observe from the other side. If these same behaviors continue, then no, we do not have any trust at all.

And with this lack of trust, it's not possible for negotiations to continue.

And naturally, when there is no possibility of continuing, there is no result either. But if those conditions that the Islamic Republic of Iran

has specified are fulfilled, and if in practice, we see that reflected in the country's national interests, especially in the economic sphere,

financial matters, banking sanctions and the issue of Lebanon, which is very important to us.

We will by no means back down on the issue of the resistance front, its members, and especially Lebanon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: And that interview from our Fred Pleitgen and our Claudia Otto, both in Iran, as you see there. Well, in Europe, the EU's foreign policy

chief is stressing the need for a diplomatic solution to the conflict as the bloc's Defense Ministers meet in Cyprus.

Kaja Kallas say there must be a ceasefire and the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Then, discussions on Iran's nuclear program could follow.

And it comes as the EU expands its sanctions on Iran to include those responsible for choking the straits.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, joins us now live from Madrid. Foreign Minister, welcome back to the show. Let me start, if I may,

with those latest developments that you've heard from our correspondents there in the U.S., in Washington, in Tel Aviv.

We are seeing these -- we've seen these renewed strikes involving Israel, Iran and Hezbollah raising calls, the fears of a broader regional conflict.

What is your assessment of where the situation stands today?

JOSE MANUEL ALBARES, FOREIGN MINISTER, SPAIN: First, that nothing has changed since the beginning of this war. There is no military solution for

the Middle East. It must be diplomacy and negotiation. We have condemned the attacks from Hezbollah to Israel.

We have condemned the break of the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. This sort of perpetual war going on in the Middle East must stop, and the

international community all together, we must do everything in our hand to stop it.

The war, the military strength alone never guaranteed the security for anyone. There must be a peaceful co-existence. So, we are calling all

parties, all parties in-between Israel and Iran, in Lebanon, in Palestine, to go back to diplomacy, to go and take back again the ceasefire and stop

all the attacks that are going on these days.

SOARES: And we mentioned, Kaja Kallas and I know from several Foreign Ministers have been speaking out about this, because the European Union

has, as you well know, and as you stated repeatedly here on our show, as we've spoken on previous occasions, calling for restraint and calling for

de-escalation.

Do you believe, Foreign Minister, that Europe still has a meaningful diplomatic influence in the --in this crisis? I mean, I ask because we

mentioned sanctions, of course, relating to the Strait of Hormuz. We've now heard from Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, what? In the last 24 minutes or

so.

And he said Iran does not attach any value to this political and hypocritical European move and will continue its strategy of maintaining

sovereignty and exercising sovereign rights over the Strait of Hormuz. Just your reaction to that.

ALBARES: That international law is binding for everyone, including for Iran, under the freedom of navigation, is a very basic principle of

international law that is binding for everyone, including Iran. So, we want all Europeans.

We want -- Spain wants a free passage of the Strait of Hormuz that must be free, must be secure, must be also with no charge whatsoever. And the voice

of Europe must always be -- and that's what Spain is always pushing at the table in Brussels.

A voice in favor of diplomacy, negotiation, dialogue, and in favor of international law. That's what makes the world stable. And if we have the

political will to take that in front of anyone, of course, the voice of Europe will make a difference.

SOARES: Let me -- let me pick up on that. And in particular, at that point, you say the voice of Europe. And I wonder, Foreign Minister, whether there

is any concern within the EU, that as the conflict in the Middle East, as you and I have been talking about intensifies, or the fear that it could

intensify the international attention could shift away from the likes of Ukraine, potentially weakening political and military support for Kyiv. How

real is that fear and that concern?

[14:15:00]

ALBARES: Well, I think that it's a fact that media attention is shifting from Ukraine to the Middle East, because the consequences, the economic

consequences are global for everyone. But that doesn't mean that the political backing here in Europe is going to change.

We are all united in backing Ukraine, because at the end, a war of aggression can have no reward for the aggressor, or the aggressor will go

back for a new aggression. And because we all want Europe to remain what the European project is meant for, a land of peace in which war is never

again a way of carrying out objectives of foreign policy.

SOARES: Yes, and we remember, just remind our viewers, of course, on Friday, we saw President Zelenskyy of Ukraine renewing his call for direct

talks with Vladimir Putin in that letter. I am though seeing in "Politico", and I wonder if you've got -- you could shed any light on this Foreign

Minister, that Europe is ready to take the reins from U.S. in talks with President Putin.

This is German chancellor's spokesperson saying, talking about how European leaders are preparing to negotiate with the Russian President in close

coordination with the United States. Does this differ from what had been until now in terms of the status quo?

ALBARES: For me, there are three things on that issue. The first one, the only one that is showing, a real, a real commitment to peace, to ceasefire,

is Ukraine and President Zelenskyy, with the letter he sent with different peace plan.

So far, Russia and Vladimir Putin don't even want to talk about very brief ceasefire, or when they are called, they are immediately violated.

Secondly, Europe is not a mediator. Europe is backing Ukraine because it was fair, and it's a sovereign state, a democratic state that has been

under a permanent illegal aggression.

And thirdly, for me, the question is not so much talk or not talk. If it's talking about real peace, of course, everyone is starting by President

Zelenskyy will seize that chance. He put it very clearly in the letter, is to talk about what the content of those discussions, if it's for real

peace, it is for ceasefire.

Of course, but certainly, the mood that I am seeing from Russia every day with systematic attacks that are undiscriminated towards the civilian

population shows all the contrary.

SOARES: And of course, we have discussed so far, unfortunately, conflict and instability. But I can't let you go without asking you about Pope Leo's

visit to Spain. It's drawn incredible crowds as we have been seeing. I want to play a little clip from we heard -- from what we heard, Foreign Minister

from Pope Leo. Have a listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT PREVOST, POPE, ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH (through translator): Every war constitutes ultimately a painful defeat of the capacity to negotiate, and

also of that common conscience of humanity that recognizes forms(ph) of justice amongst nations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: How relevant, Foreign Minister, is that message today? At a time, of course, when diplomacy often appears to be failing. Is there a deficit

in political leadership committed to both -- exactly what you were talking about, dialogue and negotiation.

ALBARES: I was today in the congress when Pope Leo delivered that speech. That was very inspiring and very moving. I think it's very important that a

leader that represents the hopes and the beliefs of millions of people here in Spain, but around the globe, recalls very basic principles like that.

That, by the way, are the same principles that uphold Spanish foreign policy, because at the end, the speech of Pope Leo and the foreign policy

of Spain, we are together in those humanistic values against the war in favor of peace, in favor of international law and multilateralism.

In favor of equal dignity of every human being, especially the dignity of the migrants. Those are very basic things that can take the world towards

stability, prosperity, peace, or if we really put those principles aside, will go, as we are seeing in many parts of the world toward violence and

chaos.

[14:20:00]

SOARES: Jose Manuel Albares, always great to have you on the show, Foreign Minister. Thank you very much indeed.

ALBARES: Thank you.

SOARES: And still to come -- you're very welcome. And still to come here tonight, months of political deadlock are pushing Kosovo to the brink, and

people say they've had enough there. I'll speak to the former President of Kosovo about what can be done. That is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SOARES: Well, in Kosovo, fresh elections have failed to break months of political deadlock and risk driving the country deeper into constitution --

constitutional, pardon me, and economic crisis. The inconclusive vote was the third in just 18 months, with no party securing a large-enough share to

govern alone.

Voter turnout this time had also dropped to just 37 percent. One of the youngest and poorest countries in Europe, the protracted political standoff

has left Kosovo without a stable government, and is damaging the country's economy already being squeezed, of course, like many other countries by

high global fuel prices.

Vjosa Osmani served as President of Kosovo from 2021 until her term expired in April of this year. She is warning that the months of political

infighting could also damage ties with the West, and may even jeopardize Kosovo's hopes of joining NATO and the EU.

And she joins me now from the capital, Pristina. Madam President, welcome to the show. Good to have you on the show.

VJOSA OSMANI, FORMER PRESIDENT OF KOSOVO: Thank you so much. Thank you for having me and greetings from Pristina.

SOARES: Wonderful to have you. Let me pick up then on those elections, given those results, as we've just mentioned, those inconclusive results.

Do you see, Madam President, a path forward or further kind of prolonged institutional deadlock here?

OSMANI: Well, as you rightly pointed out, this deadlock is very unfortunate because it has harmed Kosovo's interests both inside when it comes to

economy, but also internationally-speaking, right at the time when we were building international momentum, and when we managed to increase the

support for Kosovo in the western world, especially with the new U.S. administration, that's when the deadlock started.

It was completely unnecessary. It did not serve Kosovo's interests, but we are where we are. Democracy playing itself, and as our constitution

required, when compromise failed, we went to new elections and I think the voice of the citizens this time is even clearer that they won't compromise

between political forces.

[14:25:00]

That there is no room for a one-man show that while other countries in the region might choose that kind of path where someone controls everything,

Kosovo has always been a model for democracy, where whenever political forces united on issues of national interest, whenever they worked with one

another, there were always solutions that benefited our people.

They benefited the country internally, but also internationally, we moved forward. So, I very much hope that this message will be read in the right

way by all political forces. Certainly, it is read in the right way from us and every single effort from our side will be focused on finding compromise

and creating the institutions as soon as possible so that --

SOARES: Yes --

OSMANI: We can move on with some very important decisions on country's interests.

SOARES: And we'll talk about a one-man show in just a moment. You mentioned one-man show, but I want to focus on your first point, and that is

compromise, a political compromise here. Because Prime Minister, Mr. Kurti's party, now, from what I understand now needs to find a coalition

partner to form a new government.

And that means, having to compromise, exactly with his rivals to secure, I think it's two-thirds majority to elect a new president. Do you see this

being a problem? What compromises do you think are possible here, realistically possible to avoid further political paralysis?

OSMANI: Well, at this point in time, compromise is necessary not only to elect the President, but also to elect the new government and the --

SOARES: Yes --

OSMANI: Leadership of the parliament. So, for all three institutions, we're going to need a new compromise. And I don't think compromise should be seen

as a dirty word or something negative. Quite the opposite --

SOARES: Yes --

OSMANI: Is the best value that one can have in politics. So, everyone will have to work with one another and we're ready to give our country just that

compromise for the sake of our citizens --

SOARES: And there's -- sorry, Madam President, are there signs? Are there signs that they're ready to compromise?

OSMANI: Well, it's very early to say right now. I can speak on behalf of --

SOARES: Yes --

OSMANI: Others, but I can certainly speak on behalf of ourselves and the citizens that we represent. We're ready to sit down and talk to the

political parties, the majority political parties. Obviously, we don't want to talk to the one Serbian political party which has participated in acts

of aggression and violation of the constitutional order of Kosovo.

But every other party here, all of other political rivals are welcome to sit down with us so that we can find a political compromise. And I would

say urgently, it's urgent to find a compromise for the sake of country's interest, because if within 60 days, we don't have a President, the country

automatically goes to new elections.

Again, we need to prevent that at any cost. But as I said, compromise is now necessary also for the formation of the government as well as the

parliament. So, we need to --

SOARES: Yes --

OSMANI: Sit down with one another. At this point in time, it's early to speak about whether others have reflected. However, I do have --

SOARES: Yes --

OSMANI: Hopes that they will be reading the voice of the citizens in the right way.

SOARES: Let's talk about the citizens then, because we mentioned just before we came to you, Madam President, that voter turnout was pretty low.

I think it was 36 percent compared to previous elections. We've seen a drop, of course, we've seen --

OSMANI: Correct --

SOARES: Three elections in 18 months, and that potentially suggests that voters are growing weary of repeated elections. I want to play what some of

the voters have to say. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): This is the last moment. People don't want any more elections. Everyone will boycott them. We already have

reactions today from President Vjosa Osmani, who is saying that a government cannot be formed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I think the result is disappointing because people did not turn out to vote for the future of their children.

Voter turnout was only 37 percent, which suggests that many people are not thinking about the future of this country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: So, 37 percent, you heard him say that. I mean, clearly, you know, they are tired. They're exhausted. So, really, what is your message to the

people of Kosovo, but also to European Union? And then how concerned are you about the message that this is sending, Madam President?

OSMANI: My message to the people is that we will do everything in our power to make sure that they don't have to go to elections again. I do understand

their frustration. Rightly so, they are frustrated because these elections were completely unnecessary.

We didn't have to go through them. However, there was lack of compromise in the past, and now I think it's about time that everyone sits down and

leaves, whether, you know, personal or party interests aside and put country -- the country's interests first.

It's essential also because Kosovo has continuously faced security challenges stemming from Serbia, our northern neighbor. You know, just a

few years ago, we had an act of aggression from Serbia who wanted to annex part of our territory based on Russia's style annexation.

We needed to stand united then, and we need to stand united now. There are issues of national interest, whether security-wise or those related to the

Euro-Atlantic integration of the country, the need to bring us together.

[14:30:10]

And I agree with the citizens who have shown their frustration over this, and I want to guarantee to them that we will not stand in the way of a

compromise, quite the opposite. We will contribute to that and we will have institutions as soon as possible so that we can deal with these security

challenges in the best way possible, so that we can move ahead in our Euro- Atlantic integration process, because it's necessary for the citizens of this country to hear good news for a change for the coming months. So, we

will absolutely contribute to that.

SOARES: Let me get you the view from the E.U. representative for foreign affairs, Kaja Kallas. She said this. I'm going to bring it up if we've got

a graphic. It was on X. Kosovo's democratic and inclusive election opens the door to turn the page up to more than a year of political deadlock.

Political leaders now need to engage constructively to ensure the swift formation of government. Progress in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and the

normalization of relations with Serbia remains essential for advancing on Kosovo's European path.

How has this election, has this election, I should say, and the political instability that you and I have been talking about so far, has that brought

Kosovo closer to the E.U. and NATO, or do you think further away from them?

OSMANI: Well, every repeated election process obviously creates political deadlocks, creates further delays in each and every process that is in the

interest of the country, including the European integration process and our necessary membership into NATO.

As president, I was working really closely with our NATO partners, particularly with the United States, to make sure that we move ahead in

that process. And I was also working very closely with the European Union member states to make sure that finally we get a candidate status for the

European Union. In terms of reforms, Kosovo is ahead of many other countries in the region. However, there were political deadlock after

political deadlock that has delayed the process, and also a few countries within the E.U. that has not recognized Kosovo, that made this political

process very difficult.

Now, we need institutions fast in order to resume where we left it, so that we can move ahead with some very concrete steps when it comes to NATO

membership, but also we can move ahead with our European partners when it comes to a candidate status.

I do agree with what High Representative Kalas said when it comes to political leaders overcoming differences and finding a compromise.

Nevertheless, when it comes to the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, it's also about time that we see a process that is based on treating both parties equally.

Unfortunately, Serbia, despite committing acts of aggression against Kosovo, has never faced sanctions from the E.U., despite of not meeting all

of the criteria from the E.U. when it comes to aligning its foreign policy, whether on Russia, whether on Iran, whether on China, has never faced any

sanction or any measure from the European Union.

So, we do hope that the European Union, now also with the leadership of Ms. Kalas, will treat both of us, both Kosovo and Serbia, based on the equal

treatment principle, because we haven't seen that in the past. And I think that is a prerequisite for the dialogue process to go in the right

direction. And in this, of course, aspect, I think it's also important that we have a much higher role from the United States, because whenever we had

a higher leadership from the United States, more leadership from the U.S. in this process, there were also more positive results.

SOARES: Madam President, really appreciate you coming on the show. Thank you very much indeed, live there from Pristina in Kosovo.

OSMANI: Thank you. Thank you so much.

SOARES: And still to come tonight -- you're very welcome. Still to come tonight, the staggering cost of the Iran war on jet fuel. Richard Quest

joins us from an airline industry conference in Brazil to break down the numbers for us. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:35:00]

SOARES: Welcome back everyone. Iran and Israel both say they've suspended military operations against each other after exchanging attacks that

threatened to turn the conflict into a full-blown regional war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says strikes on Iran have ceased but

Israel will quote respond with force if attacked by Tehran again. U.S. President Donald Trump asked the hold off on any further strikes against

Iran. An Israeli official says the two leaders have spoken by phone twice in 24 hours.

Earlier Israeli strikes in the Beirut suburbs were answered with Iranian attacks. Israel then retaliated by hitting targets in Tehran. Without an

end to the war in sight, Iranians are struggling to hold on to hope. More now from CNN's Leila Gharagozlou.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LEILA GHARAGOZLOU, CNN PRODUCER: It is just over 100 days of war with Iran and we're seeing a renewed exchange of hostilities amid a fragile

ceasefire, once again leaving ordinary Iranians hanging in the balance. CNN spoke to ordinary Iranians about how they're feeling. We aren't disclosing

their identities for their safety.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Honestly, the only thing I can think about is how unfortunate we are to have been born here and how

everything we have here is going to waste.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GHARAGOZLOU: Speaking to some Iranians they say they no longer feel the sadness that they felt at the start of the conflict but rather have become

numb to the pain.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I'm not worried, I'm past worrying. At first these scenes were shocking and terrifying but over time a kind of

emotional numbness developed. Viktor Frankl wrote in his book that man gets used to everything but don't ask how. It feels a lot like now. It's a way

to survive and maintain mental strength. I've been thinking about this a lot these days.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GHARAGOZLOU: For many Iranians they were holding on to hope for peace but the renewed tensions between Iran and Israel have shattered those hopes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Today I'm very depressed. I was holding on to hope for peace for this to end but this a new era and we

can't predict the future and history no longer seems to help us.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Our thanks to Leila for that report. Well, as the war disrupts the world's oil supply airlines this year are expected to face a 100 billion

dollar jump in jet fuel costs. That is the estimate from the International Air Transport Association as it meets in Brazil. As fuel costs airline

profits could be cut in half but some Brazilian passengers are still willing to pay more for those tickets.

Our Richard Quest joins me now from Rio de Janeiro with a conference taking place. So, Richard you and I have spoken on numerous occasions about this.

What is the sense that you're getting from CEOs there about this moment given that the conflict is nowhere near ending right now?

RICHARD QUEST, CNN BUSINESS EDITOR-AT-LARGE AND CNN ANCHOR, QUEST MEANS BUSINESS: Grim realization and resignation that this the way it's going to

be for the rest of the year and into next year. They are all working on the basis of a higher fuel price and that means higher prices to passengers.

[14:40:00]

What they are pleased and relieved about is that demand seems to be holding up and that's not just in terms of business travelers but premium leisure.

People who have got money to spend and are willing to spend it coming to beautiful places here like Rio where it is still the case that there is a

demand to see the world and sort of have these tremendous experiences.

Where they are, I think, a little bit pissed off, if I could put it like that, is because their plans have been derailed. They all have exciting

plans for doing this or that, A.I., new products and this new aircraft, but it's all sort of to shunt it to one side a little bit because of the oil

price. Listen to the CEOs and see how they are just basically getting down to the hard job.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of course, we have the issue of fuel that everybody's suffering in a way but demand has been very resilient.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Within a few weeks we faced a supply of fuel problem. Recently we started importing our own fuel so now supply of fuel is not a

problem for us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've been able to recover about 40 percent of that incremental spend so the 60 percent that we can't recover does burn a hole

in the balance sheet.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Based on the fuel price today we're going to be paying over $2 billion in incremental cost. What makes me comfortable is that we

are hedged at the same level as our main competitors.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our belief is that this escalated level of jet price is not going to last too long. But still, it's going to have an impact on our

margins.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUEST: And there you have a complete range of airlines around the globe from Air New Zealand to Air France KLM to Turkish Airlines to LATAM which

of course is the carrier -- the home carrier here in Brazil. I think what it says is that the airline CEOs they're used to this they know what's

coming, but frankly, discussing the crises of the world in such a magnificently beautiful place.

I mean, Isa, if you could only see what I can see as I look over --

SOARES: Oh, I can visualize it. Oh, look at that beautiful view. What a view. I love Rio de Janeiro. I'm very, very jealous. But, Richard, let me

just pick up, and I can't remember if the last CEO if that was Ethiopian Airline CEO, but he was talking about margins, right? I think it was

margins.

I mean, given the conversations you're having, Richard, when they're eating into airline profits, then it's a question of what airlines can survive

this? What is your sense as they try to plan ahead?

QUEST: They will -- 90 percent of them will survive. The reason being that they were profitable. Margins are going to be cut. I estimate half of

profits, but airlines will still remain profitable precisely because they are passing on a large part -- up to 60 percent of the increase of fuel and

they are -- the demand is holding up.

No, I do not see -- this not existential for most of the world's leading carriers. It is a nasty bloody nose for them in terms of their plans and

their profits. But I doubt I do not expect to see any major carrier fail.

SOARES: Richard Quest live from beautiful Rio de Janeiro. Get yourself some coconut water, Richard. Great to see you. Richard will be back in "Quest

Means Business" a bit later.

And still to come right here tonight, China's president visits North Korea. Why the timing of this visit is significant following his meeting with

Russian and U.S. presidents. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:45:00]

SOARES: At least 35 people have died and more than 200 others are injured after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the southern Philippines early on

Monday. The quake triggered scenes of panic as you can see as buildings collapsed to the ground and emergency sirens blared. As many as 138

aftershocks occurred after the initial quake. That is according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The institute warns

more aftershocks could still occur. We'll stay across this story for you of course.

And just weeks ago China's president met separately with U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin. Now, Xi Jinping is in North Korea. His

first visit to the country in seven years. He spoke at a welcome banquet hosted by Kim Jong-un. Following their first meeting Mr. Xi said China is

ready to expand cooperation in areas like trade health construction science as well as technology. More now from our Beijing bureau chief Steven Jiang.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEVEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un and his wife welcoming visiting Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his wife on

the airport tarmac in Pyongyang. It's Xi's first visit to China's isolated neighbor in seven years and his first trip overseas in 2026. Just a few

weeks after he received both President Trump and President Putin in Russia in Beijing.

Reinforcing the image of Xi increasingly playing a leading role on the world stage at a time when U.S. global influence is viewed to be in

decline. The White House has said Trump and Xi share the goal of denuclearizing North Korea.

But analysts say Xi is unlikely to press Kim on the issue with Beijing seen as recognizing North Korea as a de facto nuclear power. Kim has also

continued to double down on the U.N. sanctioned weapons program. Despite Pyongyang's growing ties with Moscow, China remains its most important ally

providing an economic lifeline to Kim's regime. Unlike doing Putin's own rare visit to North Korea in 2024, few foresee Xi and Kim taking turns at

the steering wheel. But they're driving home the message that North Korea's newfound love with Russia doesn't come at the expense of its special bond

with China.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Well, our thanks to Steven Jiang there. And still to come tonight, tonight is game three of the NBA finals in New York with President Trump

expected to attend. We'll take a look at the extra security measures being taken. That's after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:50:00]

SOARES: The U.S. president walked off the set after a contentious interview with NBC's Meet the Press. Donald Trump faced questions from moderator

Kristen Welker on a range of topics, including California's primary elections. He sounded off, claiming without evidence that there was fraud,

specifically on how long it took to tally the votes. He called those elections, as well as several news channels, crooked. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRISTEN WELKER, HOST, "MEET THE PRESS": Let's talk about --

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: You're elections in this country, we're like a third-world country. You're elections are crooked. And you're crooked.

And "Meet the Press" is crooked.

WELKER: But, Mr. President --

TRUMP: And so is ABC and CBS and CNN.

WELKER: But, Mr. President --

TRUMP: You're one-sided crooked networks. Let's call it quits because I've had enough. Thank you, darling. Have a good time.

WELKER: Mr. President, let's -- please. I travelled all the way to Wisconsin.

TRUMP: I've sat in the rain with you.

WELKER: I travelled all -- I know.

TRUMP: I sat in the rain with you for an hour. On and off in the rain. And I've given you enough time. You ought to straighten out your press. Because

you know what, a country can never be great with a dishonest president.

WELKER: Listen, we travelled all the way to Wisconsin for this interview.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: That was that interview that played on Sunday. Now, security preparations are underway for Game 3 of the NBA Finals in New York. The New

York Knicks are taking on the San Antonio Spurs in Madison Square Garden. In case you just didn't know, it is the first NBA Finals game in Madison

Square Garden since 1999.

The Knicks mania, as you can see, has swept the city. However, security concerns have forced the cancellation of the city's main watch party.

Additionally, police are adding anti-scaling fencing, vehicle barriers, and crowd control infrastructure. And all these measures come after Sunday's

stabbing at Penn Station that injured six people. And one additional security concern, of course, President Donald Trump is also expected to

attend. And his attendance will be the first by a sitting U.S. president at an NBA Finals game.

Mark Morales joins me now from New York's Madison Square Garden for more. So, Mark, there's been a lot of focus, as we've just laid out, of course,

on security after the stabbing at Penn Station over the weekend. Just talk to me about the security measures being put in place.

MARK MORALES, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTER: Well, it's interesting, because we're about an hour away from this lockdown, because this all going to be a

frozen zone. And you can see that we're starting to see this mix of heavy security and intense fan reaction.

So, I'm just going to take you a little bit around here, Madison Square Garden. If you could see behind me, here are these gates that were put up

by Secret Service that are designed so that people can't climb above them. And just on the lower part over here, you'll see these white cement

barricades. And these are placed here so that if a car wanted to try to do something for a ramming attack, they wouldn't be able to. And you'll see

off here in the distance, you'll see the Secret Service with their long guns and their weapons.

And these are measures that you would not see for a regular season game, let alone for an NBA Finals game. This very much because of the protection

package that the president commands. And this all-in addition to what we're seeing from federal authorities with their counter-sniper teams and their

counter-assault teams, all that they'll be here. And we see this while you start to look around and you start to see the fan interactions. You start

to see people with their Knicks hats, with their Knicks jerseys, everybody getting ready for tonight.

And at the same time, there's their serious security concerns. I spoke to the head of the Secret Service here in New York, and he tells me that this

going to be the safest basketball game at MSG. Take a listen.

[14:55:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATT MCCOOL, SECRET SERVICE SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE: For this particular event, it's the NBA Finals. It's going to be 20,000, 27,000 people there.

This New York City, so it does come with challenges, but it's challenges that we've dealt with very successfully in the past.

We're going to have a multi-layered approach here. We're working with federal, state, and local partners. We have the best police department,

literally, in the country that's on our team. So, we're super confident in the plan tonight. You know, it's a multi-layered approach. All possible

threats and potential problems have been mitigated. So, I'm super confident in what we're doing tonight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MORALES: So, authorities also say that if you want to get into the game, make sure you're here two hours before tip-off, and remember not to bring a

bag. A strict no-bags policy inside. Also, no watch party outside of Madison Square Garden. That has been deemed a security risk.

SOARES: Yes. I wonder how much that takes away from the fan experience. How do you manage that? We've got about 30 seconds left on the show, Mark.

MORALES: So, there are other watch parties, and there is one nearby at Bryant Park. But the idea is that there's so much electricity here that

you've seen this kind of crop up in different sections of the city. Now, it is a bit of a letdown that it's not right where we were just walking. But

you still have that energy here in the city.

SOARES: Mark Morales, appreciate it. Thanks, Mark. Live for us in New York.

And that does it for us for tonight. Do stay right here. "What We Know" with Max Foster's up next. I shall see you tomorrow. Have a wonderful day.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:00:00]

END