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CNN Obtains Text of 14-Point U.S.-Iran Agreement; Bystanders Rush to Rescue Passengers After Jet Crashes on Highway; Tropical Storm Watch in Effect for Texas, Louisiana Gulf Coast. Aired 7-7:30a ET

Aired June 17, 2026 - 07:00   ET

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

[07:00:00]

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news: the text. Just moments ago, CNN obtained details of the agreement between the U.S. and Iran. Do those details match the rhetoric, what President Trump just said about it moments ago?

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: And then breaking overnight, dramatic images from a Texas highway. A plane crashes and bursts into flames. People jump out of their cars to help rescue the survivors.

And millions bracing for what could become the first tropical storm of the season set to soak states already reeling from severe storms and deadly flooding.

Kate is out this morning. I'm John Berman with Sara Sidner. This is CNN News Central.

SIDNER: We got a lot of news for you this morning. We just heard moments ago from President Trump, and he's expected to speak again this morning. He's set to hold a news conference on his final day at the G7 Summit in France as he faces growing calls to release the text of the agreement between the U.S. and Iran.

But we now know what's in it. CNN has just obtained a draft of the 14- point memo of understand -- memorandum of understanding, and what it leaves out may be just as important as what it includes. On Iran's nuclear program, the language is sweeping and vague. The draft broadly states that Iran, quote, reiterates that it will never produce nuclear weapons. That, by the way, is the same promise in the 2015 Obama deal that President Trump tore up.

And on one of the biggest sticking points, Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, the agreement includes no specifics. The draft also calls for the U.S. to issue sanction waivers, allowing Iran to immediately sell oil on the global market, and Tehran may be able to tap into a $300 billion development fund if it meets commitments on its nuclear program in further negotiations.

Moments ago, President Trump, praised the agreement for its terms to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which was, of course, open before the war began.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: You can only go so far, drive somebody into the ground, and a lot of bad things happen. Number one, the strait would never open because they don't like floating billion dollar ships up and down a strait when there are rockets flying over them and mines all over the place. So, the strait would never be open. It wouldn't be open for a long time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIDNER: Okay. CNN's Kevin Liptak is live this morning in Geneva. What stands out to you from this draft agreement that you all have been able to get your eyes on?

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: You know, I think it's interesting to look at this document. In a lot of ways, it does reflect how American officials have been describing it. But I think a lot of people who have been following this will be surprised at just how vague some of the language actually is.

Now, we should say this document is going to be formally signed on Friday in Switzerland. It is possible that some of the text of this could change. You know, President Trump even left open that possibility a few minutes ago when he was meeting with the Egyptian leader.

But I think looking through it, it's clear that the U.S. has created a document that is essentially a political document, and you hear this from American officials as well. This was really created to create space for those technical negotiations that are to come. It does not really resolve the most thorny issues, and in particular the nuclear program.

And I just want to read what it actually says about the nuclear issue. This is point number eight in this text, and it says, the Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates that it will never produce nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States have agreed that the fate of enriched material and the fate of all other mutually agreed nuclear related issues, including Iran's nuclear needs, will be adequately addressed in a final agreement. The final agreement will confirm provisions of this article.

And so what you don't see in that language is any suggestion that the United States will be overseeing the destruction of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. That is something that the president has said repeatedly over the last several days.

We know that the U.S. had been pushing off some of these issues for the future round of negotiations. And in talking to American officials, they really do describe this as a political document.

[07:05:04]

They say that this was really intended to allow space in the internal Iranian system to get them to a position for negotiations. And I'll just read you a quote of what one US official told my colleague, Alayna Treene, which is that, people shouldn't read too much into the language of the MOU. The official said, what's more important than the actual document is the understandings we have with each other.

And what these American officials have said is that they have backchannel commitments from the Iranians on some of these issues, including the question of the highly enriched uranium, including that the U.S. will oversee the destruction of it. That is, I think, going to open up the administration to some criticism that they're taking the Iranians' word at face value. And, certainly, this document, as we go through it and as we parse it, I think we'll have some important indications of where this future round of negotiations is headed. Sara?

SIDNER: Yes. There are so many details that we just don't know in this memorandum, only a page and a half, not giving a lot of details. That will come later, and the president says it will be easier. Most people think it will be much harder to get those details ironed out.

Kevin Liptak, thank you so much for your reporting there. John?

BERMAN: All right. Breaking this morning, we have remarkable new video of a plane going down on a highway in Texas, killing one of the six people on board. Now, witnesses were able to help pull survivors from that burning wreckage.

All right, wow. This private jet, and this isn't that small either, had departed San Jose del Cabo in Mexico and was bound for Austin before diverting toward Laredo.

Let's get right to CNN's Ed Lavandera for the latest on all this. Ed, what are you learning?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John. Well, according to radio communication, just before that plane crashed, it had radioed in asking to divert instead of going to Austin to Laredo, Texas, which is much further south of the city there. But that plane clearly en route to Austin. They reported some sort of mechanical troubles, and then that plane did not even make it to the Laredo airport.

It was on track to reach there. It was pretty close, but it fell there on the highway, which is the loop just south of the airport where this crash happened. The plane actually broke in half. You can see in these dramatic videos that were captured by people who were there on the highway, people jumping into action, even before some of the officers arrived on scene, trying to break open the cockpit window.

You can see the smoke filling inside the cabin there as well. A group of people were able to pry open the door, and people started coming out there by the time officers arrived. Six people on board that plane, and one car on the highway was struck by the plane. Authorities say that one person has died. Many of these other people involved, especially the people, the first responders, the civilians and officers that were getting into the plane trying to pull people out, are being treated for smoke inhalation and that sort of thing. So, we're waiting on the latest update in terms of conditions, but we know so far one person has died. The identities of the passengers on board the plane has not been revealed yet as well. But authorities say that that stretch of highway there in that part of Laredo will remain closed.

Video also shows that the plane broke in half. It looks like it appeared to have hit one of the medians there between the highways and broke in half. The planes were actually on two -- the remnants of the plane on two different levels of that highway.

So, an incredibly dramatic scene as you can hear people pounding with sledgehammers and crowbars trying to get the windows open and trying to get access into this plane as it, as the cabin was filling up with smoke, and obviously a great risk to themselves.

You know, obviously that in that situation, a threat of a greater explosion there on the ground was something that had to have been in the back of everyone's mind. So, dramatic, stunning pictures. But one person dead, everybody else appears to have escaped with injuries but alive. John?

BERMAN: Yes. I don't know that I have seen anything quite like this, with them trying to break these windows. You saw them banging on them, then prying open that door, which had to be incredibly heavy, not to mention just so dangerous. You just don't know what the situation is with whatever fuel is still on board that plane. This is just a remarkable series of images we're seeing.

Thank you so much for bringing us up to speed on what happened. So, one person dead, everyone else, we think, survived, but obviously a lot more to learn here.

Ed Lavandera, thank you very much. Sara?

SIDNER: Yes, I agree with you. I've never seen a plane that size in this scenario.

[07:10:00]

Wow. Thank goodness for all those people who jumped in to help, including the firefighters, police, and the bystanders.

All right, ahead, a supercharged storm system set to slam into parts of Texas and the Gulf Coast, some cities already facing dangerous flash flooding. What they can expect today, more on that.

And we're learning new details this morning about the alleged plot to attack the UFC event at the White House on the South Lawn. At the same time, FBI Director Kash Patel is being accused of hurting that very investigation. We'll have the details on all that.

And there's a secret weapon in the battle against those huge, green algae blooms in that recently renovated Reflecting Pool. But the question is, will it work? Will it be blue again? Those stories and more ahead. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:15:00]

SIDNER: Happening today, tropical storm watches and warnings in effect for Texas and Louisiana's Gulf Coast. The system could develop into a tropical storm Arthur. Texas floodwaters have already killed two people, including a woman who police say was swept away. Plus, a severe storm outbreak is taking aim at the Midwest today. A lot going on across the country.

CNN Meteorologist Derek Van Dam tracking all of it. Where are we starting? Oh, let me guess, with the big one.

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: The old tropical mischief in the Gulf, right? Look, the good news is that the window of opportunity for this to develop into a tropical storm is narrowing. It's closing rapidly. But regardless of if this gets named, this will be a significant rain producer across the Gulf states, and this will become problematic as we go forward into the next 48 hours with the potential of flash flooding.

This storm is going to hug the Texas coastline. That's why it has very little time to draw in the energy it needs from the warm waters of the Gulf. It'll move inland. There's the latest warnings, it's basically stretching from the border of Texas and Louisiana through to about Morgan City. But look at the copious amounts of rain, and also notice how the bulk of the rain is on the eastern side of this low pressure system. That is an asymmetric tropical issuance, and, really, what it's doing is it's drawing in that moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.

And as it works its way inland, guess where that rain goes? Yes, across Mississippi, Alabama, and into Western Georgia. These are the areas we're concerned about for the potential of over a half a foot of rain before it's all said and done.

And as Sara so aptly mentioned, we have another major weather story that we're following today, the potential for a severe weather outbreak across the Midwest and the lower Great Lakes. We're really focusing our attention across Illinois and into Indiana. Intense long track tornadoes, wind gusts hurricane force, hail up to baseball size falling from the sky.

The timeframe here really, the bulk of the heavy rain is going to keep the severe threat diminished in the Chicago area. But just to the south, Peoria into St. Louis, this is the region we're focusing on, and we could have that 5:00 P.M. timeframe as you head home from work this evening. Okay?

So, this is now the perfect opportunity for you to take advantage of our in-house meteorologists here at CNN Weather. We've been developing our new weather app, the CNN Weather app. You can go to the iOS store or use that little Q.R. code you see on your T.V. screen right now. I'm actually manipulating the app in real time live on T.V.

What you're going to get is, when it matters most, forecast coverage live from our in-house team of meteorologists, breaking down the severe weather threats, giving our confidence in the day's forecast, and breaking down all the scenarios for you at home.

So, this is a perfect opportunity if you live in and around Chicago or across the Houston area or the Deep South. This area will give you beyond the forecast, the radar and the hourly data that you need to plan your day so you can get out the door with fewer surprises.

So, Sara, this is critical for people to extend our T.V. coverage into your phones at home. Download the CNN Weather app now if you can.

SIDNER: I find the radar really helpful because it really in real time sort of gives you the idea of like, oh, this thing is really coming. Let me take my butt inside. You know what I mean? So, really, really helpful, it's very cool. I like to be able to mess around. I'm no meteorologist, thank God for you guys.

Derek Van Dam, I do appreciate it.

All right, breaking overnight, why President Trump says he is suddenly canceling today's planned hearings for his nominee to serve as the director of national intelligence.

And in just hours, we will learn how long the Gilgo Beach serial killer will spend behind bars.

Those stories and a lot more ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:20:00]

BERMAN: All right. This morning, a number of suspects still at large in the alleged plot to attack the UFC fight at the White House. Officials say the investigation is active and ongoing. Federal authorities have charged multiple people whom they claim discussed plans to carry out a mass casualty event.

Now, according to the complaint, the group planned to fly drones with explosives over the arena to create panic, then shoot U.S. officials and wealthy people as they fled.

Now, also this morning, we're learning that the Secret Service officials, that some are at odds with FBI Director Kash Patel, saying he posted detailed information too soon on social media about the alleged plot.

With us now, Juliette Kayyem, she's CNN senior national security analyst, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security. Juliette, great to see you.

I just want to start with the plot in general, not to mention the fact it was the mother of one of the suspects who may have tipped off authorities to this. But stopping a plot like this at this stage, how difficult, how important, how do you do it? JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: It unfolded really well in the sense that those of us in counterterrorism or who look at radicalization know that it's often the family members in the community who are going to see things like this happening. The mother was the suspect was a teenager, started going into the rabbit hole of radicalization, met up with other people across various states in the United States, began to purchase weaponry, and that's when she notified local police, who then notified the FBI that there was some plan in place.

What we do know is that it was not imminent. They were in discussions. There might have been some pre-planning. But I'm just quoting Vice President J.D. Vance yesterday, you know, that they weren't there. There was no immediate threat. Neither Vance nor President Trump were notified. So, you had the motivation, the organization, the conspiracy but not the sort of imminency that would have put anyone specifically in danger on Sunday night.

[07:25:12]

BERMAN: Yes, again, it was J.D. Vance in interviews yesterday saying they didn't get very far along in this alleged plot. Nevertheless, the types of thing they were discussing were alarming.

What about Kash Patel, the FBI director? We learned about this yesterday morning during our show when the FBI director posted that there was this, you know, wave of arrests, but apparently not everyone who may be involved was in custody at the time?

KAYYEM: Yes, that's right. And the Secret Service has been pretty clear that this is an ongoing investigation. The Secret Service does two things. One we often see is you protect, you know, the president, the vice president. The other is that they do investigations based on any threats to, you know, a president or vice president or other senior members of the government. They were in the investigation phase.

This was a Signal chat group. The Secret Service was looking for other people in it who may have been promoting this crime. This -- what Kash Patel has been doing, and I think this is the sixth or seventh time he has done this, he's gotten ahead of an investigation. He has undermined them in this case. He's gotten information wrong, and he just looks immature. I mean, this is just not how an FBI director should manage a law enforcement agency. It's as if he's getting graded on, does he get the tweet out? And that is why the Secret Service is so frustrated and honestly angry with the behavior of someone who has a job he may not be qualified for it, but it's his job.

And if I sound a little bit sort of -- I've gone beyond this is silly to this is just really like he's not learning on the job. Maybe in the first couple weeks you could excuse it. He's been there for over a year and he needs to stop doing it. It is undermining serious investigations, and it makes it hard for the American public to take domestic terrorism, either from the right or left, seriously if the director does not take his role seriously.

BERMAN: The priority should be the investigation, one would think.

Juliette Kayyem, great to see you this morning. Thank you for your analysis, as always.

So, the White House spent millions to turn the Reflecting Pool blue. It's green. This morning, CNN tests the waters, literally, the algae undermining the administration.

And then how much would you pay for a lightsaber and a severed hand? Yes, that severed hand, the most famous severed hand in Star Wars history. It could be yours for a million dollars or more.

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[07:30:00]