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IDF: Air Force Striking Surface-to-Surface Missiles In Western Iran; Source: Trump Will Not Sign Joint G7 Statement On Iran; G7 Summit Begins In Canada As Israel-Iran Conflict Deepens; Suspect In Minnesota Shootings Makes First Court Appearance; Gallant: U.S. Has "Obligation" To Assist Israel's Operation In Iran; Gallant: Iran Was Weeks From Enriching Uranium For 8 Bombs. Aired 3-3:30p ET

Aired June 16, 2025 - 15:00   ET

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

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: We're following these major developing stories and many more all coming in right here to CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: The Middle East remains on edge this hour as Israel and Iran escalate their conflict with no clear end in sight. A short time ago, Israel's military said it's in the process of striking surface-to-surface missile infrastructure in western Iran. The IDF also says it took out two Iranian fighter jets near Tehran.

This comes as Israel continues to strike at the heart of the Iranian regime. The IDF confirming an attack today on the Iranian state television channel. Reporters were on the ground showing the aftermath of that strike. It actually took place during a live broadcast. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Foreign language) ...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: This afternoon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he would not rule out targeting Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Netanyahu insisting that the move could end the conflict and not escalate it. As the fighting intensifies today, leaders from the G7 nations gathered in Canada discussing that and other urgent matters.

President Trump is there, but a source close to the President tells CNN that he does not intend to sign a joint statement calling for de- escalation between Israel and Iran. Let's get the latest from CNN's Kaitlan Collins, who's tracking the latest at the G7 summit.

So, Kaitlan, what are you hearing about President Trump not signing on to this agreement?

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR & CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Boris, the President has never really met a joint statement at a summit with other nations that he did like. Remember, it was famously in 2018 at the G7 that was being hosted here in Canada, where the President left early, did not sign that joint agreement at the end of the summit because he disagreed with it. And so, it's not exactly a surprise that he's refusing to sign on to this agreement right now.

Though I should note, some of the world leaders are still holding out hope that they'll be able to tweak that language in this statement, given its focus on what's happening in Israel and Iran, to get President Trump willing to cross over and agree to sign this. But White House officials, you know, have said that the President doesn't find these statements, these joint statements from other world leaders to always be effective or to actually get anything done.

The President himself here feels more hopeful that he will actually be able to get something done when it comes to his ultimate goal with Iran, and that is stopping Iran from getting access and obtaining a nuclear weapon. Now, whether that is through Israel destroying Iran's nuclear program or through the diplomatic channel that the President had been pursuing, that remains to be seen.

But listen to what the President said as this G7 summit here in Canada was getting kicked off earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They'd like to talk, but they should have done that before. I had 60 days, and they had 60 days. And on the 61st day, I said, we don't have a deal. 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)

COLLINS: It's notable to hear the President not answer that question there at the end in terms of how involved the United States could get. Right now, they're offering defensive support to Israel. That's not surprising. We've seen them do that before. The question is whether they get more involved on the offensive front and in helping Israel strike Iran and try to get rid of those nuclear capabilities that are often buried deep underground in bunkers in Iran, so that is something that everyone's watching closely.

But it does stand out, Boris, just how much what is happening in Israel and Iran as they've continued to have missiles go back and forth is really looming over this summit in a way that, you know, a week ago was not expected by these world leaders of what was going to be on their agenda.

SANCHEZ: Another conflict is also front and center. And though Ukraine is not a member of the G7, it's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is there and he's set to meet with President Trump tomorrow. Kaitlan, what can you tell us about that? COLLINS: Yes, there's often guests who are invited to the G7. There's

several world leaders that are actually coming here. They're not part of the G7 technically. President Zelenskyy is one of those, and he's expected to have a sit down with President Trump tomorrow. A White House official told us about that yesterday. And it comes after the call that President Trump had with President Putin on Saturday.

He called in part to wish the President happy birthday, according to President Trump. But they did talk about this to a degree. And the President has made clear that Putin has offered to get involved to help mediate what's happening in Israel and Iran. We've heard from the French president, who is also here, that he doesn't think that's a good idea and he doesn't think Putin would be a useful mediator.

But obviously the focus for President Trump has been also on ending Putin's own conflict and having that mediated when it comes to what's happening in Ukraine. And we'll see if that gets any closer or what progress they make, as there are real questions back in Washington about the President sanctioning Russia.

[15:05:07]

And if Republican senators are going to move without him, if he does not take that step forward himself on that front. So, it will be a key sit down to watch here tomorrow on the sidelines of this summit.

SANCHEZ: CNN Anchor and Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins reporting live from Alberta. Thank you so much. Brianna?

KEILAR: Moments ago, the suspect accused of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband and shooting another lawmaker and his spouse made his first appearance in federal court. Fifty-seven-year-old Vance Boelter is facing both federal and state charges in the murders of State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. And he's also accused of shooting State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, both of whom survived.

They underwent surgery after being shot multiple times each. The Hoffman's just released a statement saying they are both incredibly lucky to be alive. They also said, "There is never a place for senseless political violence and loss of life. We are devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark and our hearts go out to all those who knew and loved them both. We are always at our best when we unite together."

CNN's Danny Freeman is in Minneapolis for us.

Danny, what happened in court?

DANNY FREEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Sure thing, Brianna.

Well, here in the Twin Cities, there were dueling court appearances that happened essentially at the same time. I was at the state appearance just a few moments ago. Boelter did not attend that one, but he was in St. Paul at this federal court appearance at the same time. Our own Whitney Wild was over there. So, I'm going to read you some of the things that she observed while

being inside the courtroom for this first federal court appearance.

According to Whitney Wild, Boelter walked into the courtroom wearing an orange jumpsuit. He had slippers, but interesting, he was not shackled at all when he was in the courtroom. He told the court that he cannot afford a private attorney. He said he has a part-time job making about 400 - excuse me - $540 a week. No other sources of income except to say that he owns his own home.

He also has seven cars in his name, he told the court, noting that a few of his kids' cars actually might be in his name. Then, the judge ultimately said that he would recommend a public defender be assigned to Boelter, and also, they agreed that the next court date would likely be at the end of June.

That was basically it when it comes to federal court. There are a few other things that were said that we're trying to work through in terms of specifics, but that was the court appearance that happened just there. No plea as far as I understand at this particular point as the initial appearance in court.

But I just want to give you a sense of the big news, Brianna, that we've been talking about all afternoon, and that was that four lawmakers ultimately were targeted the morning on Saturday, this past weekend, when Boelter allegedly went on this rampage. Two, though, he was not able to successfully confront the same way he was with State Senator Hoffman and his family, and of course, State Representative Melissa Hortman.

I want you to take a listen to how the Acting U.S. Attorney described the moments that this defendant approached the Hoffman's door.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE THOMPSON, U.S. ATTORNEY: When they opened the door, Boelter shined the flashlight in their faces and said there had been a shooting reported in the house. Boelter asked if they had any weapons. When Boelter lowered his flashlight, which he had shined in their face, they realized that he was not a police officer.

They shouted out, "You're not a cop. You're not a police officer." Boelter then announced, "This is a robbery," and forced himself into their home. When Sen. Hoffman attempted to push Boelter out and stop him from entering his home, Boelter shot him repeatedly. Boelter then shot Ms. Hoffman repeatedly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FREEMAN: So, again, that was just the harrowing description of what Boelter is accused of doing when he came to that first household early Saturday morning. Again, the next court appearance in federal court likely to be the end of June. Brianna?

KEILAR: Yes, just some horrifying details we learned today.

Danny Freeman, thank you for the live report from Minneapolis. Boris?

SANCHEZ: Let's dig deeper on this with retired NYPD Detective and Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at John Jay College, Michael Alcazar.

Michael, thanks so much for being with us.

Even after exchanging gunfire with officers when he was first confronted over the weekend, when he was found, he was cooperative, even crawling to the officers. What do you make of that?

MICHAEL ALCAZAR, RETIRED NYPD DETECTIVE: That indicates to me that this guy may have had plans initially to probably take himself out, but he's a cowardly assassin and in the end, he's a coward and he wanted to preserve his own life. So, he surrendered when he knew there was no other options.

SANCHEZ: I also wonder about what you make of this reporting. A CNN affiliate spoke with a man who says that he is Boelter's roommate who got a text around 6 A.M. Saturday that - in which the suspect said that he'd be dead soon and that he loved him. It goes to your point. How do you think that factors, though, into the investigation?

[15:10:05]

ALCAZAR: Yes, when I heard about that text, to me, it was him saying goodbye. And that's why I thought and alluded to that he might just, you know, take himself out. Again, it was a cowardly act. He sounded desperate. He was ambitious in his attack, you know, attacking the first couple and then the second couple. So, you know, it's up to law enforcement now to process the crime scene, to look into the notebook that he left, to see what motivations this perpetrator had.

SANCHEZ: To that, I wonder how they go about doing that, especially taking into consideration some of the other text messages that he sent, including to his family, saying that dad is going to war.

ALCAZAR: Yes, it's it sounds like the rantings of a lunatic. This guy might not be in the right state of mind. You know, and we had a notebook of his targeted - of a targeted list. We have to determine - as law enforcement, we have to determine, did he in fact have any accomplices? I know they ruled that out rather quickly. I'm not sure if that was a wise move. They have to identify if he had anybody that helped them get these weapons, you know, get this mask, get this badge. You know, it's possible he worked on his own, but maybe he had some accomplices that they have to identify when they're processing this crime scene and looking through the evidence.

SANCHEZ: Yes. Talk to us about how investigators do that, figuring out if there was any collaboration or assistance.

ALCAZAR: Yes, they're going to go through all his electronic data, right? His computer, his text messages, his friends, interview that gentleman that he sent a text to, maybe go through video surveillance in the past where he traveled, any locations he might have visited. It's a lengthy process and maybe they can look and when they - execute a warrant in his residences, right, he's got a couple. So, they're going to look through anything that he has in it, any kind of writings, again, any kind of electronic history.

SANCHEZ: Michael, I just want to let you know, and our viewers as well, that we've gotten word from a Minnesota State Senator, Senator Ann Rest, who says the shooting suspect was apparently parked near her house on early Saturday. In a statement, Rest says, quote, "I've been made aware that the shooting suspect was parked near my home early Saturday morning. I am so grateful for the heroic work of the New Hope Police Department and its officers. Their quick action saved my life."

I'm curious what you make of the amount of security that some of these state officials have, Michael, because it seems that many of them are out in the open.

ALCAZAR: Yes, I'm sure now they have security provided for all these officials, especially the ones that were listed. But that's interesting because now they're going to go through, again, video surveillance off the targeted people to see if he was there, very similar to like Kohberger - the Kohberger case when he was surveilling his victims.

So again, it will play to what his motive was. So that's - again, that's going to be good police work, good detective work to identify these locations and where he was, what his history was.

SANCHEZ: Michael Alcazar, we have to leave the conversation there. Thanks so much for your perspective.

ALCAZAR: You're very welcome.

SANCHEZ: Still to come, more on the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, why the Israeli defense minister is telling CNN the U.S. has an obligation to assist in Israel's operation.

Plus, some EPA staffers stunned after the agency gave them a new directive to stop enforcing violations against fossil fuel companies.

And later, the jury deliberating the fate of Karen Read surrounding the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe. The details from the courtroom, next.

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[15:18:21]

SANCHEZ: In a CNN exclusive interview, Israel's former defense chief says the U.S. has an obligation to assist Israel's operation against Iran.

KEILAR: Yoav Gallant's comments come as the conflict intensifies between the two countries. He spoke with CNN's Bianna Golodryga in his first interview with international media since leaving his post as defense minister.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN SENIOR GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: Thank you so much

for taking the time to speak with us. This plan to strike Iran has been in the works for years, and we know a good portion of that has been with your involvement as well. The opening strike was no doubt a massive blow to the Iranian regime, but can you be certain that the nuclear program itself has been set back significantly from what we've seen thus far?

YOAV GALLANT, FORMER ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER: Iran is in its weakest point, and they are very close to possessed nuclear weapon. And they already enrich uranium to 60 percent. It's a question of, I would say, a few weeks to enrich uranium for eight bombs to the level of 90 percent.

This is very dangerous, not only to Israel, but also to the region and the world. Imagine that one of these ballistic missiles, that hundreds of them were shooted against Israel recently, would have been equipped with a nuclear warhead. And let me remind you that they can reach not only Israel, but also Egypt and Turkey and Greece and some of Eastern Europe and definitely the other side, Pakistan and other places, and they have shown it on already.

[15:20:10]

So, a nuclear weapon in the hands of irresponsible regime is a very dangerous thing. This is a danger to the world. And the conditions that we achieved recently are good enough to start. And I think that we already were taking the Iranians years backward by what we did recently in the last few days.

GOLODRYGA: One concern is the facility that remains very impenetrable per intelligence, and that is Fordo. And the concern is that without it actually being eliminated, that Iran could in turn accelerate its nuclear program. It appears the Iranian parliament just today voted to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. How much does that concern you if, after all of this is said and done, Fordo remains intact?

GALLANT: I believe that 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.

And I believe that the determination of the American president that have been shown recently will pave the way to America to enter into this very important operation. The President of the United States have the option to change the Middle East and influence the world, not only the world, in order to do something that will create a better future for all of us.

GOLODRYGA: Do you think that Prime Minister Netanyahu would have given the go-ahead on this operation if he didn't have the explicit commitment from President Trump that at the end of the day, if need be, the United States would join in on this operation in this war to go after nuclear sites that only the United States has a capability to? And I'm specifically referencing Fordo.

GALLANT: Well, you know, we needed four different conditions in order to launch the attack. The first three have been achieved in my term in September and October. The first one was to eliminate Hezbollah. The second one was to eliminate the air defense in Iran and especially around Tehran and start to create the corridor that allow Israel to go directly to Tehran and hit them. The third one was to cut the chain of supply by destroying the manufacture capability of ballistic missiles in Iran.

All this was achieved in September, October '24. But we stayed with the last condition, and the last condition was the approval of the United States to Israel at the right time. And I'm sure that all these issues were discussed between the Prime Minister and the President.

GOLODRYGA: So again, given the high level of meetings that you've had with U.S. officials in your time as minister of defense and given the amount of time that you participated in planning for this operation, is it your belief then that this would not have happened, that Israel would not have launched this war without the commitment that the United States, if need be, would join as well? Is the ultimate goal here to eliminate Iran's nuclear program with the United States assisting Israel?

GALLANT: Well, we are after the beginning of the war. The resolution has been made, and there is only one option now, to go forward and to accomplish the job. The job has to be done by Israel, by the United States, by the free world. We don't see why Iran needs a civilian nuclear energy. They possess 11 percent of the oil and gas reserve in the world. Why do they need any kind of nuclear energy?

And the reason is different. They want to possess nuclear weapon in order to create harmony in the Middle East, to threaten everybody around them, including Israel.

[15:25:08]

But not only Israel, it's Europe, it's the Gulf State. They want to create something different, and they want to control the Middle East as they control their own people as a brutal regime. We are not going to allow that to happen.

GOLODRYGA: President Trump just today said that the U.S. could get involved. That is not a clear commitment. He also said that Israel's attacks, in his view, should bring and could bring Iran back to the negotiating table in earnest. In your view, and given your time as defense minister, is it your assessment that the Israeli government views an opportunity for negotiations to be closed, or does that remain an option?

GALLANT: I think that there is only one way to end this war, and this is without any kind of capability to enrich uranium or to possess nuclear weapons in Iran. Whether we will find a defense solution rather than the military one, this is another question. But they cannot possess this capability in their hands once it's over. This is a unique opportunity. This is a pivotal point in the future of the Middle East and the world. And I believe that the President will use this opportunity to bring them to the right decision.

GOLODRYGA: What happens if he doesn't? What happens if President Trump ultimately tells Prime Minister Netanyahu that it's time to end this war without completely eliminating Iran's nuclear program?

GALLANT: Well, you know, Bianna, in the Middle East, if you put only one if in a sentence, you can go everywhere. Let's concentrate on what's going on and not what the if questions, which are hypothetical, can lead to. We need to destroy Iran's capabilities. We achieved tremendous achievements by eliminating the scientists that possess most of the knowledge. We hit most of the facilities and we need to accomplish it this way or another.

GOLODRYGA: Is the Supreme Leader a target as well?

GALLANT: All the options are on the table.

GOLODRYGA: Prime Minister Netanyahu, in his very first statement on the day of this attack, viewed it as a liberation for the Iranian people. Is the ultimate goal here to rid Iran of its nuclear program or is it one of regime change?

GALLANT: The ultimate goal is to make sure that Iran will not possess a nuclear weapon or even nuclear military capability. And I'm not resisting, I'm supporting a change of regime in Iran. But a lot of it has to be done by the Iranian people and not by us or by America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Thanks to Bianna Golodryga for that interview.

Ahead, some staffers at the Environmental Protection Agency left shocked after the agency tells them to stop enforcing violations against oil and gas companies. Stay with us for that story.

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