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Iran's Internet Crackdown Hits Satellite Service Starlink; Trump Weighs Military Action on Iran Amid Deadly Protests; Trump Ramping Up His Rhetoric on Greenland; Paramount Sues, Threatens Proxy Fight Over Warner Bros.; U.S. Figure Skating Team Heading to Italy is on of Strongest Ever. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired January 12, 2026 - 14:30   ET

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

[14:30:00]

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: Iran's crackdown on protesters is leading to a harsher clampdown on internet access in that country. A watchdog says it is now in its fourth day of an internet blackout. Now, for the first time, a pro-reform group known as IranWire says that security forces are disrupting Starlink terminals, which use satellites to deliver mobile broadband.

Its members report that security forces are raiding homes and arresting Iranians suspected of possessing satellite equipment. That raises questions over how much longer the world will be able to see footage of what's happening in Iran, where according to a U.S.-based rights group, 503, at least 503 protesters have been killed.

We should note, CNN is working to independently verify those numbers.

Joining us now is Washington Post Global Opinions writer Jason Rezaian. He wrote the book "Prisoner: My 544 Days in an Iranian Prison, Solitary Confinement, a Sham Trial, High-Stakes Diplomacy, and the Extraordinary Efforts It Took To Get Me Out." Jason, great to see you as always. Talk to us about what sparked this newest round of protests.

JASON REZAIAN, WASHINGTON POST GLOBAL OPINIONS WRITER: Boris, this round of protest was certainly sparked by economic needs, the collapse of the Iranian currency, the diminishing spending power, the limited access to goods and services. But I should note that this is part of a broader, sort of decades-long discontent with the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

[14:35:00]

It's become a shell of what it was, only effective at repressing people and not providing for their basic needs. I think it's quite clear that people are calling for change, and they have been for years.

SANCHEZ: When it comes to this crackdown on folks with satellite equipment and Starlink, how much does that hinder the rest of the world's ability to see what's happening in Iran and for these demonstrators to organize? REZAIAN: It hinders both drastically. We've seen this going back to the protests in 2009, following the contested re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Green Movement, protest movement that followed that, and then again in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022. During the Woman Life Freedom protests, they always cut off communications so that the images of what's happening inside Iran cannot spread.

It's obviously very difficult for us to verify what's going on inside the country. All we know is that there is a lot of carnage and that there's chaos and people don't have the ability to even communicate with each other. It's important to note that not only is the internet shut down, landlines aren't working. It's literally impossible to make a phone call across town at this point.

So that is limiting everybody's ability to understand what's going on, but it doesn't obscure the fact that we know very well people are dissatisfied with the leadership and are calling for change.

SANCHEZ: I wonder if you could speak to how protesters are handling that carnage. Again, more than 500 people killed by the regime over these demonstrations. How much do you think they're willing to endure? And also, how do you think President Trump weighing in on this, saying that he's considering military options, how does that factor in?

REZAIAN: Look, I think that the Iranian people have come to understand that they don't have a lot of friends out in the world. They certainly don't have friends or guardians in the government that rules over them. And so far, the United States and other powers haven't done much to support their demands for freedom.

I think that there is a segment of the population, and certainly a segment of the Iranian diaspora, that would like to see the U.S. conduct airstrikes against Iran. But my question is, to what end? What's the goal?

And then, ultimately, President Trump has spoken about the possibility of attacks, as he did in June. But he's also talked about the Iranian leadership's desire to negotiate and negotiate a deal with the United States. I think both would be terrible outcomes. Both bombing Iran but also negotiating with elements of the regime to stay in power and be able to continue to repress people as brutally as they have for the last 47 years are not the outcomes that people are asking for.

SANCHEZ: So are you hopeful watching this?

REZAIAN: Look, I'm hopeful. I place a lot of pride and, you know, deep empathy for the Iranian people and their struggle for freedom. But I'm also scared and heartbroken at the death and destruction that's happening inside that country, and that has been happening inside that country periodically for years and years.

But I think in the long run, the future of that country is in the hands of a very capable, very educated, very peace-loving society. And I would like to see the United States of America and the rest of the international community help them get to that goal.

SANCHEZ: Jason Rezaian, so great to get your perspective. We appreciate your time.

REZAIAN: Thanks, Boris.

SANCHEZ: Of course -- Brianna.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: President Trump ramping up threats on Greenland as the administration eyes the country as an economic treasure trove and security necessity that can't be taken by other world powers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will take Greenland, and I am not going to let that happen.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is there any deal they can offer you?

TRUMP: Yes, sure, I'd love to make a deal with them. It's easier.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: CNN's Matt Egan is with us now. Matt, what's the latest here?

MATT EGAN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Well, Brianna, no secret that Greenland is at the top of the president's wish list. And, yes, that is because of the island's vast, untapped mineral wealth. Officials in Greenland, they've identified more than 1,100 mineral sites there, everything from zinc and iron and uranium to those rare earths that we hear so much about.

And yet there is no mining boom in Greenland. Look at this, just two active mines there right now. But researchers tell CNN that's not because Greenland is owned by Denmark.

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It's because of the harsh Arctic environment there, where a lot of these mines and these minerals are located in the Arctic, where there's mile thick ice sheet and where it's dark most of the year.

And that's why the founder of the Arctic Institute, he told me the idea of turning Greenland into America's rare earth factory is science fiction. He said it's just completely bonkers. And he went on to say you might as well mine on the moon because that might be easier than mining in Greenland.

Think about that for a moment. And yet some people do think the U.S. could make a strategic acquisition here. Because look at this over on the prediction market, Kalshi, as recently as last summer, there's just about a 20 percent chance that the U.S. could take control of any part of Greenland, but that has surged to 45 percent now.

And this surge occurred after the U.S. intervention in Venezuela. But there's key differences, of course, between Greenland and Venezuela, including the fact that you have a situation in Greenland where they're very much open to foreign investment, including from the United States. But the risk here, Brianna, is that all this talk of acquiring and taking over Greenland will end up damaging the U.S. relationship with the people of Greenland and creating a whole new obstacle altogether. Back to you.

KEILAR: Yes, funny how that works. Matt Egan, thank you so much for taking us through that.

Still to come, Paramount taking its battle to buy Warner Brothers Discovery to court. We have the latest details on the escalating Hollywood high-stakes showdown.

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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Paramount isn't done with its attempts at a hostile takeover of Warner Brothers Discovery. CEO David Ellison just announced a lawsuit to access financial details of the entertainment company's pending deal with Netflix. Warner Brothers Discovery is the parent company, we should note, of CNN.

CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter joins us now. Brian, what could this lawsuit mean for Paramount's chances of gaining control?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: This is one of the moves that happens during a hostile takeover bid where the company pursuing the target goes to court, usually in Delaware, where these shareholder suits are filed and then tries to force the target company to share more, to provide more information. That's what Paramount has done today. And it does ratchet up the tension in this months-long tug of war over the future of Warner Bros. Discovery.

There is a signed, sealed, delivered deal with Netflix. That's on the table. That's what Netflix and Warner say they are pursuing jointly.

That's the deal to move Warner Bros. and HBO over to Netflix. That process will take 12 to 18 months. And of course, there are questions about whether American and European regulators will OK the Netflix deal.

Over the weekend, President Trump posted an opinion piece that was very critical of Netflix. So there's questions about the Netflix deal, although that's moving forward, and you have Paramount on the other side pushing all the buttons it can, trying to win its hostile takeover bid.

So the buttons that press today are, number one, this lawsuit, number two, the threat of a proxy fight, which would mean installation of Paramount-friendly board members in order to mount a takeover that way. In some ways, these are expected moves, but they're the kinds of moves that have to happen for Paramount to try to take over WBD. And so to kind of distill it pretty simply, the battle continues, the tug of war continues over who's going to own CNN in the future.

SANCHEZ: And this corporate tug of war also had some mention at the Golden Globes last night. Tell us about that.

STELTER: Yes, yes, it did. You know, for one thing, all the major players in the media business, all the heads of these companies were in the room. David Ellison, WBD CEO, David Zasloff, Netflix boss Ted Sarandos. And Paramount was caught out on stage by the host Nikki Glaser, even though the show was airing on CBS. Here's what Nikki Glaser said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NIKKI GLASER, HOST, 83RD GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS: And the award for most editing goes to CBS News. Yes, CBS News, America's newest place to see BS News.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STELTER: That is a reference. That's a reference, of course, to the overall underway by CBS News editor-in-chief Barry Weiss, something that's sparked quite a bit of backlash in recent weeks, partly due to concerns that 60 Minutes is being softened and censored to please the Trump administration. Ultimately to win Trump's approval of Paramount's hostile takeover bid.

So you have that going on, and in some ways, that might have annoyed folks at CBS News. On the other hand, the Weiss makeover of CBS is in part intended to appeal to ordinary, average, everyday Americans. That's the way they framed it in the messaging.

So maybe they don't mind getting ribbed by liberal Hollywood. But that reaction in the room was notable. It shows that the changes at CBS News are getting a lot of attention in Hollywood and beyond.

Meantime, Warner Brothers had a really good night at the Golden Globes. You know, this is the studio that is the target of both Netflix and Paramount, right? That's what this is all about. Warner Brothers winning big prizes for "One Battle After Another". "Sinners," also the new streaming drama "The Pit," which just started season two.

So it was a big night, a successful night for Warner Brothers, and maybe that reiterates and reorients why Paramount is trying so hard to take over those assets.

SANCHEZ: Brian Stelter with the latest, thank you so much.

Still to come, the U.S. will send one of its strongest U.S. figure skating teams over to the Olympic ice. The team filled with so many emotionally inspiring stories. Who has the best chance to bring home the gold when we come back?

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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Now to some of the other headlines we're watching this hour. A vascular surgeon is expected in court today, charged with the Ohio murders of Spencer and Monique Tepe, the ex-wife of the suspect. The Tepes were found dead on December 30th in their Columbus home with their two kids, ages four and one, who were unharmed.

Police in Illinois arrested Michael David McKee over the weekend. His charges were upgraded today to premeditated aggravated murder.

Also, the Department of Homeland Security says it is investing $115 million in counter drone technologies ahead of the World Cup, an event celebrating 250 years of American independence. DHS says the tools will also be used against drug trafficking, since cartels are now using drones to evade detection and keep tabs on U.S. officials.

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And a hockey arena set to host some of the biggest events at next month's Winter Olympics has officially opened in Milan. The public was invited to the Santa Giulia Arena for a test event on Friday, featuring two of Italy's top teams. Delays at this venue have been a major concern. The head of the International Ice Hockey Federation said last week that while parts of the arena may not be finished in time, it's playing surface practice facilities, locker rooms will all be ready when the Olympic men's tournament starts off on February 11th -- Brianna.

KEILAR: Talk about a sweet 16. We now know which figure skaters are heading to the Winter Games in Italy to represent the U.S. and the squad for this year's games could be one of the strongest U.S. teams ever. Not only will they be anchored by the best men's figure skater in the world, the so-called quad God himself, Ilia Malinin.

Malinin has won every every single event that he's been in since December 2023. Also, three of the top female figure skaters in the world, Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito. And the team isn't just made-up of raw talent. It has a lot of heart.

It also includes a U.S. Army private and a son who triumphed over unimaginable tragedy.

CNN sports analyst Christine Brennan is with us now to talk about this amazing team. Just how good are the U.S. chances in Italy, Christine? How high are the expectations here?

CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORTS ANALYST: Brianna, I think this team could have a fighting chance to win four of the five gold medals that are available in figure skating, which, of course, is one of the premier events at the Winter Olympic Games. The previous best total for U.S. figure skaters at the Olympics, 1956, 1960, just a few short years ago, where the U.S. won two golds at each of those Olympics. Now, there were only three events back then.

So it has been a long time since the Americans have even won two gold medals. And with Ilia Malinin, as you mentioned, anchoring the men's event, he is the huge gold medal favorite. The ice is slippery. Anything can happen.

But Malinin should win the gold in the men's event and he should anchor the U.S. team, which will be the first event at these Olympics, three nights of competition for a team gold medal. U.S. is the clear favorite as well in that. That's two that should happen in the first few days of the Olympics.

And then, as you mentioned, the women are super strong and ice dance with Madison Chock and Evan Bates, one of the greatest ice dance teams the United States has ever had. Put that all together, and I don't know that it will be the four out of the five, but they certainly have a good chance for it.

KEILAR: So who are you watching most closely? Who are you most excited to watch?

BRENNAN: The women's competition is very interesting. And the Japanese are great and there will be a Russian skater, just one in the women's competition. They will be allowed in no team for Russia because of their invasion of Ukraine, but they will have one great female skater.

But as you mentioned, those three U.S. women, they're terrific. They're all national champs. Alysa Liu won two national titles at age 13 and 14. Brianna, she retired at 16. She unretired at 18. And at 19, she won the world championship. I mean, wow, right? That's just extraordinary. And she comes in with a very different attitude now at 20 than she had when she was a little kid.

Just a great team effort, I think, for all of them. And they really do, they finish each other's sentences, they laugh at each other's jokes, they're always hugging, they're cheering for each other. Alysa Liu, literally when I was at the national championships just in St. Louis over the weekend.

She comes out after she skated. She doesn't go backstage and put on headphones and ignore everything. No, she cheered on her competitor, Amber Glenn.

Amber Glenn then, of course, was able to beat Alysa Liu for her third nationals title. Where do we see that in our culture, where you've got someone who is cheering for the opponent that ends up beating them? That's what this U.S. women's team -- it's so fascinating. And I'm going to really, I think, enjoy covering them because it's so different than that cutthroat mentality we often see in individual sports.

KEILAR: Yes, I love that sportsmanship. Maxim Naumov just made the team for the first time. And this one, I mean, this is so tough because he lost both of his parents in that horrible plane crash here in Washington, D.C., about a year ago, almost exactly a year ago. What a moment for him.

BRENNAN: Absolutely, Brianna. This is Max. Max is a fantastic skater and a wonderful young man, 24 years old, orphaned. You know, when his parents, who are coaches, former Soviet or Russian skaters, the Soviet, they grew up in the Soviet Union, when they were on that plane crash, that 28 members of the figure skating community, parents, coaches, and of course, the skate young skaters themselves were killed almost a year ago now over at Washington National Airport. And Max has persevered. You know, he was thinking, should he retire? 24 ...

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