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Isa Soares Tonight
President Trump Says The U.S. Must Respond After Iran Shot Down A Helicopter Off The Coast Of Oman; Zelenskyy Arrives in Estonia As He Tries To Shore Up Support From Allies; Police In Northern Ireland Calls For Calm After A Vicious Knife Attack In Belfast; Somali Referee Denied Entry To U.S. For World Cup; Trump: U.S. Must Respond After Iran Downs Attack Helicopter; Tensions Mount In N. Ireland After "Brutal' Street Stabbing; Former Epstein Executive Assistant Testifies Before Congress. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired June 09, 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, President Trump says the U.S. must
respond after Iran shot down off the coast -- a helicopter off the coast of Oman. We'll have the very latest for you on that breaking news coming in to
us.
Then Ukraine's President arrives in Estonia as he tries to shore up support from allies. I'll be joined by the Estonian Prime Minister to discuss how
those meetings have gone. Plus, police in Northern Ireland are calling for calm after a vicious knife attack in Belfast has left the community
reeling.
We'll have that and much more ahead for you this hour. I do -- I do want to begin this hour with breaking news signs that the shaky ceasefire between
the United States and Iran may be crumbling. Just a short time ago, U.S. President Donald Trump said it was Iran that shot down a U.S. Army
helicopter on Monday, which was confirmed by two American officials.
You're seeing there his post on Truth Social. The President says the U.S. must respond to the attack, the two pilots aboard were rescued, you can see
there and are safe. Now, the developments follow President Trump's prediction that Tehran could agree to a deal to end the war in two or three
days, he said, and lead to total victory for the U.S.
Meantime, Israel launched a new round of strikes today, just hours after Israel and Iran agreed to stop directly attacking, if you remember, each
other. Tehran has warned it would respond if there were fresh Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
So, let us go through all these threats and this breaking news, of course, coming into our CNN senior national security reporter, Haley Britzky is in
Washington, and our Jeremy Diamond, as you can see there, joins us this hour from Tel Aviv.
Haley, let me go to you first, because I'm just seeing the Mohammad Ghalibaf; the Speaker of Iran's parliament has responded. Let me read out
the tweet, I think we've got a graphic to show our viewers what he actually says.
"We prefer the language of diplomacy, but we speak other languages far more fluently." He writes. "Break your commitments and we'll switch to what we
speak best. You ride the horses you saddled", he writes, Mohammad Ghabalif(ph) there -- Ghalibaf there from Iran.
Just -- I mean, put this all into perspective for us because this doesn't bode well, right? We heard President Trump saying potentially a deal in
two-three days, putting diplomacy aside for just a moment. What do we understand happened here with this helicopter?
HALEY BRITZKY, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY REPORTER: Yes, Isa, and I have to mention, of course, we've heard the President say for a few months now
that a ceasefire was days, if not weeks away. Obviously, that has not yet materialized.
But with this helicopter in particular, we know that last night and a local time, an Apache helicopter; that is a two-seater attack helicopter, they've
been frequently patrolling the Strait of Hormuz, sort of looking for these Iranian small boats, small boats that the helicopter went down off of the
coast of Oman.
The U.S. military saying that the crew was rescued, uninjured by another drone, by a U.S. drone boat, which was the first kind of operation of its
kind, kind of a remarkable moment there, and that the two crew were unharmed and taken to safety.
But what we're hearing now, sources telling us that it was actually an Iranian drone that took down this helicopter. One source saying that it was
a Shahed drone that struck the Apache -- sources are still unclear at this point if it was an intentional, targeted attack by Iran, if this was
somehow an accident, it didn't mean to hit the helicopter.
They're still not sure. That is still much, very much being sorted out by officials. But certainly, raises the stakes for what we could be seeing
here in coming hours, days, if not the next week. The President saying that the U.S. must respond to this.
What that may look like is still unclear, but certainly comes at a very tenuous moment for the ceasefire negotiations, even as the President does,
as we mentioned, continue to say that things are, you know, just around the corner that the U.S. is days away from getting this deal signed. Certainly,
this could raise complications, Isa, as to what that may look like.
SOARES: Indeed, and we understand from the President's comment there on Truth Social that the two pilots aboard were rescued and safe. What do we
know, Haley, about the rescue mission itself? What more are you learning?
[14:05:00]
BRITZKY: Yes, so, this is a drone boat that the U.S. military has not really -- we haven't seen it in action in this kind of way before. There is
a taskforce over in the Middle East now of U.S. service members who are kind of taking on a more hands-on approach with drones.
Obviously, drones are a huge staple in sort of warfare. Now, we've obviously seen Iran use them to great effect. We've seen them also in --
between Russia and Ukraine. So, the U.S. military has really been making a lot of strides in bringing some of those drones into their arsenal.
And so, this is a pretty remarkable rescue, though, to see. We don't have a ton of information yet as to how this went down, how the service members
found the drone boat or the drone boat found them. Certainly, more questions as to how this could happen, as I'm sure they will want to be
using this capability more in the future.
But as you mentioned, the crew members safe, brought back. The drone boat came off of the coast of Oman as well, took them back to safety, and they
appear to be uninjured and in good health.
SOARES: And that is very good news indeed. I know you'll stick across for us, do stay with us. I do want to go to Jeremy in Tel Aviv. And Jeremy,
bring us up-to-date with what we are seeing in Israel and indeed in Lebanon, because I understand the military in Israel has been launching
fresh strikes, fresh attacks on Lebanon, despite, of course, the back-and- forth that we've heard from between President Trump, President Netanyahu -- Prime Minister Netanyahu and the threats from Iran.
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's exactly right. The Israeli military continuing to carry out airstrikes in southern Lebanon
today, killing at least, nine people, according to Lebanon's national news agency.
Some of the strikes took place in the ancient city of Tyre on the Mediterranean coast, following the Israeli military issuing evacuation
orders for much of that city, including the Christian neighborhood of that city, which was a rare and first time that, that has actually happened as
it relates to that specific neighborhood.
And what this shows us is that the Israeli military and its government is basically not backing down in the face of these threats from Iran, that if
Israel continues to carry out attacks in Lebanon, then it will invite additional Iranian missile strikes.
We have not yet seen the Iranians actually follow through on that threat. They have not said so. But it was only yesterday that Iran's Revolutionary
Guard Corps said that should Israel carry out additional attacks in southern Lebanon, then it would be met with an even more fierce response
than the one that we saw here overnight Sunday into Monday, with those multiple barrages of some 30 ballistic missiles that Iran fired at Israel.
Now, that being said, what we are continuing to see is President Trump, you know, making sure that this all stays relatively contained. He clearly
doesn't want to see Israeli actions, whether it is against Iran or against Lebanon threaten and upend the diplomacy that he has at work with Iran.
President, as recently as yesterday said that he believes that this -- these negotiations with Iran could bear fruit within the next two to three
days. Of course, it is the umpteenth time that he has said that over the course of the last several weeks, that we are that close to a potential
deal.
The Iranians, for their part, seem far less optimistic about the prospects of a deal. You saw that tweet from Mohammad Ghalibaf yesterday, our Fred
Pleitgen in Iran also spoke with a top Iranian security official who said that they are seeing a lack of sincerity from the United States, and that,
that is, you know, keeping a deal from actually being reached between these two sides.
But nonetheless, between what we are seeing in Lebanon and what we have seen -- what we are likely going to see now in Iran from the United States
following the downing of that Apache helicopter. You know, we are seeing various sources of tension in the region at the moment.
SOARES: Indeed, and let me go back to Haley, just picking up from where, you know, Jeremy left off, Haley, because of course, President Trump saying
on that Truth Social that the U.S. must of necessity respond to this attack.
At the same time, we've been hearing, of course, in the last 24 hours, potential of two-three days of a deal. Like Jeremy quite rightly said, we
have heard this numerous times. So, where then -- what is your sense when you're hearing where this leaves the conflict right now?
President been wanting a resolution to this conflict for some time. He has been pressured. How do you see this then, the next steps from the President
when he says they have to respond? What would that look like?
BRITZKY: Yes, it's a good question. And I think it's something, as you rightfully mentioned, you know, the President does want to see this
conflict end. And we've seen that very clearly. But what we could see the U.S. military doing, obviously, they have a slew of options that they've
been prepared for any direction the President chooses to take this.
Limited military strikes could be an option. We've obviously seen that over the last few weeks, when the U.S. has been targeted by Iran, particularly
in the Strait, that they have continued to carry out very limited and particular strikes.
[14:10:00]
So, certainly that is an option. But the U.S. military obviously would be standing by for any direction the President provides. But as we know, the
President does want to see this end. I -- you know, does not want to see this continue to escalate further.
He's made very clear he wants this deal signed. So, looking at what their options could be, I'm sure we will be seeing something rather limited to
fulfill what the President is saying, that they have no choice but to respond to this.
Obviously, U.S. personnel being downed in their aircraft is very serious, and thankfully, they are OK, but certainly, something that the President
believes he has to respond to, what that could look like, I'm sure quite limited, but certainly, something we'll be keeping an eye on, Isa, in the
coming days.
SOARES: Yes, I know you will, as well as Jeremy Diamond for us there in Tel Aviv. Thank you to you both for that breaking news. We'll stay abreast, of
course, with the latest developments and bring you up-to-date with any new developments.
Now caught in the middle of the conflict are the Iranian people struggling to afford the basics as costs continue to soar. Our Fred Pleitgen is in
Tehran with this report, and as always, we must warn you and must know, CNN know -- operates in Iran only with the permission of the government, but we
do maintain full editorial control of our reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): As a conflict between Iran and the United States drags on, the U.S. blockade
continues, sanctions continue. Of course, it makes things very difficult economically for a lot of folks here in Iran.
I just spoke to a business owner, he sells and produces shoes, and he also told me that business has been difficult for quite some time now.
FARZAD MASHMOOL, SHOE MANUFACTURER (through translator): Purchases have decreased, and so have our sales. Shoes have become more expensive and
premium materials have gone up as well.
But it's not like sales have completely stopped. The war had its own effect, but it has not brought our sales down to zero. We are still selling
and we are still trying to increase sales.
PLEITGEN: A war is always devastating for any economy, and as you can imagine, a lot of folks here in Iran have lost their jobs. Inflation is
also a big problem as well.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): The markets really collapsed now. Previously, I could buy more easily, but now everything has become so
expensive.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Inflation has made prices increase 100 times more.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely, it's difficult because it's after war. We have such a problem like -- and after sanctions, we have problems here, but
it's a consequence of war. We can -- we cannot do anything.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I personally do not have much hope. What we see on the surface is that neither side will step back from their
positions, at least for the next couple of years, and the situation has been like this for 30 or 40 years.
PLEITGEN: But one of the other things that the shop owner told me has been a real issue was the fact that the internet here was shut down for an
extended period of time, because he also has an online shop where he not only sells his shoes, but he also buys some of the material as well.
MASHMOOL: For about a month or 40 days, we were really struggling. And right now, as you witnessed yourselves, it's difficult to move from one
page to another. I hope this matter could be resolved soon so that our business can flourish again. We will welcome anything that puts an end to
the war.
PLEITGEN: And of course, that's something a lot of folks here in Iran think about, is the U.S. and the Iranian side try to come to some sort of end to
this armed conflict. A lot of people here are just hoping for sanctions relief and for the economy to improve.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: Our Fred Pleitgen and Claudia Otto in Tehran for you. While all eyes are on Iran, and whether a peace deal will materialize, Ukraine's
President is on a whirlwind tour of Europe, looking to draw attention as well as resources back to the war with Russia.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy touching down in Estonia today for a meeting with Nordic as well as Baltic leaders, you can see there, telling reporters the
next two months of fighting may determine a lot, he said of the war.
And it comes after a call with U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, that happened on Monday. The Ukrainian President describing the
call as positive. The war next door is being felt more and more in parts of NATO, as you know, and the EU and NATO jet shot down a drone over Latvia,
if you remember, on Monday.
Latvia says the drone crossed this border from Russian territory, but didn't say if the drone was Russian or Ukrainian. Ukraine's air defenses
and financing for weapons top the agenda for today's summit.
So, let's get more on this. Joining us now is the Estonian Prime Minister, Kristen Michal. Prime Minister, good to see you, welcome to the program.
KRISTEN MICHAL, PRIME MINISTER, ESTONIA: Thank you for having us. Thank you.
SOARES: Wonderful. Let me start then with that meeting between yourself and President Zelenskyy. Give us a sense -- give our viewers a sense of what
the standout message was and what President Zelenskyy wanted to bring to European leaders. What did he say?
[14:15:00]
MICHAL: NB8(ph), this is not a Baltic 8, is among Ukraine's biggest supporters, largest per capita, over 42 billion already contributed to
Ukraine. So, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among the biggest supporters and friends.
And the message was quite clear, that the pressure should remain on Russia, because until Putin changes his goals, nothing will happen. And in Russia,
what is usually politeness for normal people is interpreted as a weakness.
So, we must keep pressure on Russia and also helping Ukraine. And Ukraine is doing better. He feels the backing, and also is having new capabilities
to pressure Russia. So, this is probably the most important takeaway.
SOARES: Let's talk about pressuring Russia and then what is being done. I wonder then, Prime Minister, how seriously Europe is taking concerns of
Russia potentially wanting to expand the conflict? What is being done to try and deter Russia further?
I ask this because we have heard today from Russia's deputy Foreign Minister, and this is what he said. And I think we have the sound. This is
what he said in an interview. Let's play it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DIMITAR STOYANOV, DEFENSE MINISTER, BULGARIA (through translator): We have already made it clear that the war in Ukraine will not be resolved on the
battlefield. What we are witnessing is a war of attrition, and no matter how much weaponry is amassed, its only result is the loss of human lives.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: And let me just correct, that was not the clip I was looking for. Apologies. That's the Bulgarian Defense Minister. Let me quote what the --
Russia's deputy Foreign Minister said, Prime Minister, he said in an interview, "we remain in a constant state of readiness to employ all means,
including nuclear ones to ensure the security of the union state."
Just your reaction as you hear those words saying that all readiness to employ all means, including nuclear ones.
MICHAL: Everybody who knows Russia knows that for them, it's all about making themselves bigger, because everybody from CNN viewers can rewind
back. It should have been three days. Special operation as Putin announced, it's already 50-year.
And right now, Ukraine is hitting hard and deep into Russia, and Russia is suffering. And with the sanctions from European side, also from the states
push and so on, also with tackling the Shadow Fleet, I would say that on the cognitive warfare in which Russia was quite strong, saying they are big
and strong and so on, they are starting to lose.
So, Putin and everybody else is getting a little bit paranoid. So, I wouldn't take this too seriously. And at the other hand, I would say Russia
is accused, threat to everybody.
SOARES: Right, they're starting to lose. But as you just heard us playing there, that clip from Bulgaria saying that it's halting military aid to
Ukraine. Why -- help us understand why it would do that?
MICHAL: It's not my job. Opposition to explain other countries' decisions and Prime Minister's decision. But in my opinion, there's -- only way to
stop a dictator is to take away the oxygen. In Putin's case, it's money from different kind of selling goods and minerals and so on.
And second way is to help Ukraine to do what is needed, because peace will only come when we support the right fight for freedom, not when we give in
to dictators.
SOARES: Right, I hear you, Bulgaria has been saying we have already made it clear that the war in Ukraine will not be resolved on the battlefield, he
said. "We are witnessing a war of attrition and no matter how much weaponry is amassed, the only result is the loss of human lives. It is time to sit
down at the negotiating table."
Do you believe, Prime Minister, that, stopping, providing, halting military aid will force Putin to the negotiating table? We know that President
Zelenskyy has asked that. We saw that in the letter on Friday. Is this the way about it?
MICHAL: I would say that halting assistance to Ukraine probably will make Putin's hand only stronger. And that is not the wise policy. And from the
European side, because Ukraine is fighting for Europe's freedom and rule based towards freedom.
That is the first thing. And second thing is that in Russia, each month, 35,000, can you imagine? Thirty-five thousand, this kind of combatants are
killed. I couldn't imagine any other country in which the dictator can sit on his chair and each month, 35,000 would be dying.
[14:20:00]
So, I would say that we are getting closer to the point when Putin is forced to come behind the table. But that can be only achieved helping
Ukraine and President of Russia.
SOARES: Yes, and that -- those are staggering figures, Prime Minister, as you lay them out. Before I leave you, I want to ask you, and this is
something we mentioned before we came to you, because we have seen a number of incidents with drones flying into Baltic airspace, with the conflict as
we've been describing, increasingly spilling beyond the boundaries of Ukraine and Russia.
Do you view these incidents as isolated events, or do you believe, Prime Minister, this is part of a deliberate effort by Moscow to test NATO's
resolve and then, as well as its willingness by -- may I say, to respond here.
MICHAL: Probably both. Because as Russia is attacking Ukraine and Ukraine is defending themselves. So, the pieces fall also on other countries, also
in Estonia. And we had the NATO fighter a couple of weeks ago, shot one drone down.
And we are monitoring them all the time. This is -- this is like pieces of collateral of the war. But in Estonia, it's quite clear as in Baltics and
Finland and everywhere else that Ukraine is defending itself and Russia is trying to fend off.
But that may include also this kind of mischief and also false-flag operations to turn these drones to other countries. With Russia, nothing is
impossible. They are the world masters in making mischief.
SOARES: Prime Minister Kristen Michal, really appreciate you coming on the show live there from Tallinn in Estonia, absolutely beautiful city. Thank
you very much, Prime Minister. Appreciate it.
MICHAL: Thank you.
SOARES: Now, thank you. Now, the European Commission is urging Albania to ensure it's aligned with EU environmental legislation if it wants to accede
to the bloc. That is according to a commission spokesperson. Commenting on a plan Kushner backed luxury resort.
And these, I'm being told, are live images. We have been looking at protests in Albania's capital, Tirane. It is now 21 minutes past 8:00.
These protests, by the way, as we've been bringing you them, they are now on their 10th day and they have been dubbed as you -- as we've been
bringing you this almost every day here on the show, the Flamingo Revolution, because the stretch of coast the project plans to occupy is a
migratory pit stop for the birds.
But now, these demonstrations have now widened into a broader opposition to aspects of Prime Minister Edi Rama's 13-year tenure. So, what started as
protest over Flamingo Revolution, of course, it's now expanded.
Now, in the 10th day, these are live images and they go as I've been looking, they go late into the night. We'll stay across this story for you
and continue keeping abreast of the latest developments from Albania. And still to come tonight, she survived against all the odds.
Now, this little girl from Gaza is thriving in a new home abroad. We'll visit little Habiba one year after medical evacuation saved her life. You
do not want to miss this story.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:25:00]
SOARES: It's an invisible crisis of sorts happening away from the world's spotlight, with no international reporters allowed to independently witness
the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. Months after a ceasefire was declared between Israel and Hamas, 2 million people in Gaza are crammed into less
than half of the tiny strip of land, with Israeli forces controlling the rest.
Many civilians live amid mountains of rubble and trash breeding grounds for disease, as well as rodent infestations with limited access to clean water,
food, medicine and sanitation. They will tell you there is no ceasefire, living, of course, in constant fear of Israeli attacks.
Well, just yesterday, this father lost his eight-year-old boy in an Israeli strike. He's clutching -- as you can see there, his son's school backpack.
Gaza health officials say more than 950 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the October truce.
Israel and Hamas each accused the other of violations. A top international official overseeing the ceasefire has warned that if it fails, Gaza risks
becoming permanently divided. Now I want to bring you an update on an incredible story of survival, really a triumph of life over devastating
loss.
A Palestinian girl is thriving in her new home in Jordan, a year after being medically evacuated from Gaza. CNN's Jomana Karadsheh first brought
us Habiba as the carry story, and she recently visited the little girl, also reuniting with her mother and her big brother, who is putting on a
brave face despite suffering major trauma, of course, of his own.
And a warning, Habiba has overcome so much, and some of the video in her story of survival is disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The little girl that captivated the hearts of so many on her journey to the brink of
death and back. A journey that we brought you a year ago that began in Gaza's hospitals where doctors had nothing left to save.
Habiba al-Askari; the Palestinian toddler was suffering from a rare medical condition, with gangrene spreading in her body.
(RANA YOUSIF WAILING)
KARADSHEH: Her mother, through CNN, appealed for help following a report, Jordan's King Abdullah ordered Habiba's evacuation for urgent life-saving
treatment. We're now back in Amman to visit Habiba, seeing Suhaib(ph), her only brother, and their mother, Rana again is an emotional reunion for me
and producer Abeer Salman(ph).
We found a totally different Habiba, a happy and chatty child.
HABIBA AL-ASKARI, PALESTINIAN GIRL FROM GAZA: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
KARADSHEH (on camera): Habiba (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
AL-ASKARI: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
KARADSHEH: Is three and a half. That's how old Habiba is now.
AL-ASKARI: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
KARADSHEH (voice-over): Her spirit and smile almost makes you forget what she has been through. A life-altering triple amputation.
RANA YOUSIF, HABIBA AL-ASKARI'S MOTHER: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
KARADSHEH: Israeli authorities never gave a reason for repeatedly delaying Habiba's evacuation last year. As soon as she got here, doctors told us to
save her life. They had to amputate both her arms and right leg.
RANA YOUSIF, HABIBA'S MOTHER (through translator): So, I asked what would be her choice? She said, I don't want to die.
[14:30:04]
KARADSHEH (voice-over): Habiba is excited to take us around this compound that's now home, the SOS Children's Village, a refuge for Jordanian orphans
that's now also hosting families from Gaza receiving treatment in Amman. Rana is a mother on a mission, making sure nothing feels out of reach for
her baby girl.
The other rock in Habiba's life has been Suhaib. His sister is his whole world, and he is hers. But beneath that brave face and warm smile is a 12-
year-old boy's trauma that has, in many ways, been overshadowed by his sister's ordeal. As we sit down for a chat, it doesn't take long to see
that Suhaib, too, carries the hidden scars of Gaza.
SUHAIB AL-ASKARI, HABIBA'S BROTHER (through translator): What I went through cannot be forgotten. A child's mind cannot comprehend these things.
KARADSHEH (through translator): What are these things.
S. AL-ASKARI (through translator): Bombardment, hunger, destruction, martyrs, bodies strown in front of me. When we were displaced, I would have
to skip over bodies.
KARADSHEH (voice-over): But it's remembering how Habiba once was that breaks him.
S. AL-ASKARI (through translator): I remember how she used to run. When I was carrying the water, she would run to me and wanting to help me.
KARADSHEH (voice-over): He notices Habiba's looking at him. It seems he has to hold it all in.
After running around all day, Habiba has had enough of her prosthetic leg. She wants to show us her ouchie.
KARADSHEH: She feels pain, that's why she asked to take her prosthetic off.
KARADSHEH (voice-over): To try and get her mind off the pain, I ask what she enjoys doing.
HABIBA AL-ASKARI, EVACUATED FROM GAZA (through translator): I like to sing.
KARADSHEH (through translator): Sing me a song.
KINKADE: Habiba enjoys singing.
KARADSHEH (voice-over): For Rana, being separated from her husband and her children from their father is incredibly hard. But returning to a Gaza in
ruins could be a death sentence for Habiba, she says. Habiba has found a new chance at life. She's starting nursery now. The road ahead will not be
easy, but nothing seems impossible for this determined little warrior, who is ready to fight the odds.
Jomana Karadsheh, CNN, Amman.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: What an incredible little girl and a very strong big brother, too. We are going to take a short break. We'll see you after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:35:00]
SOARES: Well, just two days until the start of the 2026 World Cup in North America, but visa issues are casting a shadow over the game. Somali referee
Omar Abdul Qadir Artan has been denied entry into the United States. According to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, Artan was denied after
undergoing an additional inspection in Miami.
And more World Cup issues, it seems, for Iran. The country's football federation says its ticket allocation has been withdrawn one week before
its opening game.
Let's get more from CNN's world sports Don Riddell. So, Don, just two days, of course, from kickoff, a lot of uncertainty. Let's start, first of all,
with this story that we were just mentioning, why he was denied. Do we know why he was refused entry?
DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Well, let's tell you what we do know. You know, Isa, qualifying for the World Cup was supposed to be the hard part.
Now, many are discovering that getting into the main co-host country, the United States, might be even harder. Football's world governing body, FIFA,
says that this referee will not be able to officiate any of the games because he was denied entry when he arrived in Miami, Omar Abdul Qadir
Artan.
He was named Africa's top male referee last year, but he's from Somalia, one of the 39 countries subject to travel restrictions by Donald Trump's
U.S. government. A spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection said that he was determined to be, quote, "inadmissible" due to vetting
concerns.
In a statement CNN obtained from a Somalian official, Artan said, quote, "Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the
next challenges in my refereeing career. I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support, and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I
concentrate on the future. I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success
during the World Cup, and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions."
FIFA issued a statement reading, in part, FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes. A host government ultimately determines who
receives a visa and who is admitted into their country. But FIFA cannot be in the slightest bit happy about this situation. This is not what they
would have wanted to happen.
Of course, their president, Gianni Infantino, has a close relationship with President Donald Trump, but that doesn't seem to have helped in this
situation. And it's not just this referee. We're hearing about the BBC reporting that some Scotland fans have not had their visas come through or
have had their visas revoked. We're hearing that one of Iraq's top players spent seven hours at immigration before he was allowed in. A photographer
with the Iraqi team was not so fortunate. Now, that photographer was unable to enter the country.
And then we have all the issues with Iran. You just mentioned their ticketing situation. But remember, the Iranian team was supposed to be
based in Arizona. They were not allowed to even stay in the United States, which is why they had to hastily rearrange their camp. And they're now in
Tijuana, just over the U.S. border, in Mexico, where they're preparing for their three games in Los Angeles and Seattle.
So, a lot of complications arising around this World Cup. And it's going to be hard to see how some of these things are going to clear themselves up
even once the tournament has kicked off on Thursday.
SOARES: Indeed, casting a very big shadow, of course, over the tournament. Don, good to see you. Thank you very much indeed.
And still to come tonight, why a stabbing attack in Northern Ireland may become another flashpoint for anti-immigration protests. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:40:00]
SOARES: And back to our top story this hour. U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran is responsible for the downing of a U.S. Army helicopter. The
president vowed the United States must respond, his words, to the attack. Two U.S. officials say an Iranian drone took down the chopper off the coast
of Oman. The two pilots were rescued a short time later.
The speaker meantime of Iran's parliament posted this warning to the United States. You can see it there. We prefer the language of diplomacy, but we
speak other languages far more fluently. Break your commitments and we'll switch to what we know best. You ride the horse you saddled. We'll stay
across this breaking news for you.
I do want to go to Northern Ireland because appeals for calm after a knife attack in Belfast that was captured on video. Police say they've arrested a
Sudanese man in his 30s on suspicion of attempted murder. The victim was stabbed Monday night in the face, the neck and back, and that's according
to authorities. He's hospitalized in serious condition.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is describing the incident as sickening. And the attack comes amidst growing racial tension and protests
in the U.K. after the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was wrongly arrested, if you remember, by police. A British Sikh man was convicted in
the killing last week.
Our Nada Bashir joins us now. And, Nada, I think -- I mean, I've seen it. It is horrific, absolutely a horrific attack. Just talk us through, first
of all, just to, you know, bring our viewers up to date, what we know happened, what we know about the attack and, indeed, what the police is
saying at this hour.
NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Isa, news of this attack on Monday night spread quite quickly over social media. And, as you mentioned, there
has been circulating that very graphic and distressing video, which was shot by an eyewitness of the scene of the attack, which appears to show the
suspect in question kneeling on the victim and attacking him with a blade or a knife.
And, of course, this graphic video is too distressing to show in its entirety. But it also captures the intervention by eyewitnesses, locals who
are passing by in an attempt to apprehend and stop the suspect in question.
Now, of course, we have been getting updates from police officials with regards to the identity of the man in question, the suspect in question, a
30-year-old Sudanese man, according to police officials. They have just issued an update in the last few hours saying that detectives investigating
this knife attack have now charged a 30-year-old man with attempted murder, possession of an article with a blade in a public place and threats to
kill.
[14:45:00]
And we are expecting, according to police, for this man who remains unnamed to appear in court tomorrow. He will appear at Belfast Magistrates Court,
according to police officials. Of course, there is deep concern around the victim, as well, who is in hospital in a serious condition.
But there is also concern about the wider community and the ripple effect that this attack has had. We have seen calls for protests to take place in
response to this attack. There has been quite a significant outpouring of anti-immigration rhetoric in response to this attack.
We have certainly heard that from politicians, as well. In fact, we heard from the Centre-right Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, who has
linked this attack to immigration without any evidence. We have also heard calls for more details from the police, from the Reform Party leader, Nigel
Farage.
As you can imagine, this has really gained momentum amongst anti- immigration activists. We have even heard calls for riots, as well, this evening. The police officials on the ground in Belfast are on high alert
for any protests or riots that may take place. And there is deep concern for how this may impact the broader community. Of course, there are
concerns around the rise of these racist anti-immigration activists on the ground.
SOARES: Nada Bashir, thank you very much, Nada, with the very latest there.
Well, Jeffrey Epstein's former executive assistant says he kept his crimes secret from her. Lesley Groff appeared today before the House Oversight
Committee. CNN spoke with two sources familiar with her testimony.
Those sources say she told lawmakers she thought she was making Epstein appointments with massage therapists. She said she didn't realize the
appointments were actually with young girls. One member of the Oversight Committee says it's hard to believe Groff didn't even know about Epstein's
criminal history. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. STEPHEN LYNCH (D-MA): It is highly inconsistent, what she's maintaining, that she really didn't know Jeffrey Epstein, even though she
worked for him for 18 years. As well, she seemed to be very vague in her description about what Mr. Epstein was charged with when she went to work
for him, shortly after she went to work for him. You know, he was a registered sex offender.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, multiple victims who spoke with the FBI said they called Groff to schedule massages with Epstein. They said he sexually abused them
during those massages.
And still to come tonight, Pope Leo prepares to inaugurate the newest tower of Barcelona Sagrada Familia. Masterpiece, 144 years in the making. We'll
bring you a special report, next.
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[14:50:00]
SOARES: Well, Pope Leo received a warm welcome in Barcelona, part of the second leg of his Spain tour. Large crowds greeted the pontiff at
Barcelona's 14th-century cathedral as he presided over midday prayer, as you can see there, where he spoke in Catalan, a language key, of course, to
the region's identity. At this hour, Pope Leo is holding a prayer vigil with young people at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.
Well, the centerpiece of Leo's visit to Barcelona will be on Wednesday, when he inaugurates the newest tower of the Sagrada Familia, the bondedness
basilica that has become the world's tallest church. Our Pau Mosquera takes a closer look at the final phase of construction of this Gaudi masterpiece,
144 years in the making. Have a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAU MOSQUERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): One massive cross crowns Barcelona's skyline. Weighing close to 100 tons, it now tops the tallest
Catholic church in the world, the Sagrada Familia.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Impressive, impressive. Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Taking pictures feels almost like a waste because it's so spectacular.
MOSQUERA (voice-over): The tower, dedicated to Jesus Christ, was recently completed after soaring to over 560 feet, a major milestone for Antoni
Gaudi's masterpiece. Architect Mauricio Cortes is overseeing the Jesus Tower project.
MAURICIO CORTES, ARCHITECT: Gaudi imagined a monumental complex of 18 towers with hierarchies, starting with 12 towers on the facades dedicated
to the disciples of Christ. So, Jesus occupies the exact center of the Latin cross.
MOSQUERA (voice-over): Parts of the tower and the cross itself were assembled in this workshop, located nearly 200 feet above the ground.
CORTES: The tower, the design process was very intense and complex. The whole tower is a mixture of modern technology with handcrafted labor.
MOSQUERA (voice-over): Since part of Gaudi's plans and mock-ups were lost during the Spanish Civil War, people like lead architect Jordi Fauli were
left to comb through the literature and try to interpret his larger-than- life vision.
JORDI FAULI, LEAD ARCHITECT (through translator): There are 10 years between his death and the fire that destroyed his studio. During these 10
years, his collaborators, his architects, his disciples, published articles and books, including the Sagrada Familia itself, containing information
about his project, and the explanations they had received from Antoni Gaudi.
MOSQUERA (voice-over): And so, more than 140 years after construction began, the basilica is now projected to be less than a decade away from
completion. As a Barcelona native, the idea of seeing it finished is almost unfathomable.
MOSQUERA (through translator): I remember when I was little, my parents and grandparents would tell me, oh, we will never see the finished Sagrada
Familia finished. How much longer could it take to see the whole basilica completed?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We don't know. We can say that our wish, which could likely happen, is that we finish in the next 10 years,
the remaining towards of this facade.
MOSQUERA (voice-over): But there is one major stumbling block, the glory facade, which Gaudi envisioned as the building's main entrance.
But carrying out the project could require demolitions and the relocation of residents living directly in front of it, like Alicia Busquets.
ALICIA BUSQUETS, BARCELONA RESIDENT (through translator): I've lived here for about 30-something years. My parents lived here, and other members of
the family too. What worries neighbors now is this brighter section that we can already see rising because we know the next step is for the
construction to move toward us and then we'll see what happens to us.
MOSQUERA (voice-over): The number of potentially affected residents remains unclear, ranging from a few hundred to thousands, many of whom want to stay
put. Since the project has not yet been approved, neighbors are demanding a seat at the table in negotiations over the basilica's completion.
[14:55:00]
Salvador Barroso is leading that effort.
SALVADOR BARROSO (through translator): This has to be a three-way agreement, the administration, the foundation, and the neighbors. If two
sides meet without the third, it's very difficult to reach an agreement that benefits everyone.
MOSQUERA (voice-over): The construction board says that they are first finalizing a deal with the city council and that only after that will they
negotiate with the residents. In the end, only an agreement will restore the community's ability to admire Gaudi's work with the same serenity as
visitors.
Pau Mosquera, CNN, Barcelona, Spain.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: And stunning. And finally, tonight, the next space race is on, and this time it's set to be a stylish one. Have a look at this. Prada has
unveiled their design for the inner layer of NASA's latest spacesuit, and astronauts are expected to wear it for the Artemis IV moon landing in 2028.
Designer space wear aside, perhaps those astronauts could be as lucky as Jessica Meir. She's part of the SpaceX Crew-12 mission and caught this
breathtaking, look at that, time-lapse there of the southern lights from their spacecraft. No amount of wear will make up for that.
That does it for us for tonight. Do stay right here. "What We Know" with Max Foster is up next. I shall see you tomorrow. Bye-bye.
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[15:00:00]
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