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Isa Soares Tonight
President Trump Says The Next Round Of Talks With Iran Will Be "Easier" As World Leaders Try To Seek Clarity On The Memorandum Of Understanding; Ukraine's President Zelenskyy Urges G7 Members To Boost Their Support for Kyiv As Russia's Deadly War Grinds On; Shakira To Perform With Ugandan Ghetto Kids At 2026 FIFA World Cup Final; Trump Criticized Over Iran Deal As G7 Leaders Meet; Trump Touts U.S.-Iran Agreement In G7 Summit; FBI Makes Arrests Connected To Potential UFC Attack; Far-Right Movements Gain Momentum In U.K.; Albania's Flamingo Revolution. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired June 16, 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, U.S. President Trump says the next round
of talks with Iran will be, quote, "easier", as world leaders try to seek clarity on the Memorandum of Understanding.
Then Ukraine's President Zelenskyy is urging G7 members to boost their support for Kyiv as Russia's deadly war grinds on. Plus, we'll bring you
the story of the Ghetto Kids; a Uganda children's dance troupe who are making their way to the U.S. to perform with Shakira at the World Cup
final. We'll have that and much more ahead for you this hour.
But first, tonight, under the glare of the international spotlight, U.S. President Donald Trump is projecting supreme confidence about his new
agreement with Iran, even while leaving much of the world in the dark about the critical details.
Mr. Trump says the next phase of negotiations will be easier than previous rounds. He's been meeting with leaders of the world's wealthiest countries
today; you can see there at the G7 in France. The U.S. and Iran are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday, which will then
begin 60 days of negotiations meant to end months of war.
Yet, there are still plenty of wild cards that could sink a final deal. And perhaps, the biggest is Lebanon, where Israel launched new deadly strikes
just today. Iran says Lebanon is inseparable from the wider war, their words, insisting the preliminary agreement requires an Israeli troop
withdraw -- withdrawal, pardon me.
The U.S. officials deny that, and Israel flatly rejects the idea. President Trump won't provide clarification, but did offer this rather startling
suggestion. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Israel is fighting Hezbollah too long, and too many people are being killed. And you don't have to knock
down an apartment house every time you're looking for somebody.
Because there are a lot of people in those apartment houses, and they're not all Hezbollah, that I can tell you. And I suggested to Israel to let
Syria take care of Hezbollah. Is to be honest with you, I think they do a better job of doing it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, let's bring in Melissa Bell, who is at the G7 Summit, as you can see there, Nic Robertson is with us in London. Melissa, let me go to
you first. President Trump, as we just highlighted there really being touting this framework agreement.
But we're still at this hour very light on the details. Just what more are you learning, maybe in this page and a half? I understand the document and
critically how it's being received where you are by G7 leaders.
MELISSA BELL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I think, Isa, it certainly greased the relationships here today. Everyone, and specifically the French
presidency had been concerned about these tense relationships between President Trump and the other G7 leaders.
The fact that he was able to arrive with this page-and-a-half of text that, of course, no one has seen as confident as he is and convinced that this is
a win for him, that this is the beginning of the end of the war, really allowed the rest of the conversations to go much more smoothly than anyone
might have hoped they would before this all emerged over the course of the weekend, notably on Ukraine, for instance.
The fact of those talks over Ukraine, the fact of -- according to the Ukrainian President's reading of his meeting with G7 leaders, that there
was agreement on the need to put further pressure on Russia, and then, of course, on Iran.
This was -- there was a sense that this was a much friendlier G7 meeting, as a result of President Trump's idea of what this Memorandum of
Understanding -- Memorandum of Understanding involves. Clearly, the fact that no one around the table had seen it is hugely problematic.
[14:05:00]
What we do understand after, according to many sources, and after a day- and-a-half of talks, is that it essentially includes three things. The idea that the United States will end its blockade, the idea that the Iranians
will reopen the Strait, and the idea that the 60-day period of talks, including on the nuclear matter, will then begin.
But there are so many questions within it at -- to begin with, and including the one that you just mentioned that's now emerged as a result of
what Tehran has said, that they will insist as part of it, that Israel withdraw from Lebanon.
We heard earlier this week that Benjamin Netanyahu is asking for an urgent meeting with President Trump, his discomfort at the idea of the deal, as it
is, even with him and his government insisting there would be no withdrawal and he didn't consider Lebanon to be part of it.
The criticism he's received on all sides of the Israeli political spectrum, it's very difficult to see how that particular -- those issues can be
squared in time for Monday's signature. When we understand, we will finally get eyes on the specifics of this Memorandum of Understanding, Isa.
SOARES: Yes, let me go to Nic, on that, on that last point, on some of the wild cards that you pointed there, of course, to Lebanon, one of those
things that could sink a final deal. And Melissa was touching on this.
We know, Nic, that we know that Iran is demanding that Israel withdraw from Lebanon as part of the agreement. President Trump has also spoken about
this and said that Prime Minister Netanyahu, let me see if I've got -- has got to be more responsible with the respect to Lebanon, his words.
How -- I suppose the question is, how bad does the fighting have to get before Iran kind of pours cold water over this Memorandum of Understanding.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, I think it's been one of the sort of -- it's fair to say it's been one of the sort of biggest
pointers for the Iranians about how much of his own sort of political capital or pressure that President Trump has been willing to put in to
getting the U.S.-Iran deal done.
The pressure that he put on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to get him to agree to a ceasefire in Lebanon, to get him to pull troops back to the
border. Going back a sort of a month-and-a-half ago. The sort of situation then was much more in a position that Iran was happy with, that Israeli
troops were not this deep into Lebanon, that they were not still bombing the suburbs of Beirut.
And this point has been contentious since the beginning, since the very first announcement by the Pakistan Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, the sort
of key mediator here, if you will, insisting and saying that Lebanon was part of the deal.
He said it again in his comment on social media over the weekend, Lebanon again, part of that -- part of that ceasefire. That's because Iran is
insisting on it. Now, the details of it can be hashed out in these 60 days of talks, potentially, and realistically, that's what's most likely going
to happen.
But the issue of Israel and Hezbollah continuing to exchange blows and heavier blows are definitely something that could derail the sort of second
phase of talks that were expected to begin at the end of this week.
And it really is a place of maximum political pressure domestically on Prime Minister Netanyahu, a place that President Trump has put maximum
political pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu to the point of stretching, if you will, the perception of the U.S. closeness with Israel on this issue.
And for the Iranians, it's not something they're willing to back away from. This is something that they are willing to go to the mat on. They've
certainly given all appearances of indicating they're prepared to do that, including over this weekend.
SOARES: Nic Robertson there with analysis out of London. Our thanks to Melissa Bell also in Evian in France. Thank you to you both. Well, the
U.S.-Iran agreement has taken, of course, center stage at the G7. Russia's war in Ukraine has also been a part of the conversation in the French Alps.
President Trump is calling on Moscow to make a deal with Kyiv. He met on the sidelines of the summit with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy, who is lobbying for more air defense support. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT, UKRAINE: First of all, he was very positive that they can help us more with the missiles, and this is a big challenge
really, because the production is not so big as our needs. The production is in the United States.
I raised the topic of licenses. I addressed it to President Trump. We need licenses to produce missiles.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, Ukraine once again struck deep into Russia, as you can see there, this time attacking an oil refinery in the Moscow region in its
ongoing effort to hit Russian energy infrastructure. Let's get the view from Kyiv now with Inna Sovsun; a member of the Ukrainian parliament.
[14:10:00]
Inna, welcome to the show. President Zelenskyy, we heard a little clip from him there in terms of what he wanted to get out of the G7 meeting. But we
also heard that Trump said that he had a positive -- he had a positive conversation when he was asked about the question of missiles.
That very point that President Zelenskyy was making there. So, I wonder now that Iran will soon, as President Trump said, be in the rear-view mirror,
whether you think there will be a shift by the United States to focus on Ukraine and to break more importantly, this deadlock.
INNA SOVSUN, UKRAINIAN PROFESSOR & POLITICIAN: Well, there are two questions here. One, whether Iran will be in the rear mirror as --
SOARES: Yes --
SOVSUN: Reported, President Trump said. But the second big question, if President Trump does get back to dealing with the Ukraine-Russia war, then
the big question will be what he will be asking of different parts, different sides, because what we have seen in his involvement, he was
definitely trying to pressure Ukraine into accepting a deal that was unacceptable to us.
But he was putting little to no pressure on Russia, the country that has started all of this war. So, on the one hand, we want the American
attention back on Ukraine --
SOARES: Yes --
SOVSUN: And then the war that is -- that is killing people here. But on the other hand, we also very much concerned what would be the position that
Donald Trump will be promoting this time.
SOARES: And Inna, look, I've spoken to many foreign ministers here on my show about Ukraine as well as about the war, of course, in -- with Iran,
with the United States and Iran. But on the question of Ukraine, they've all told me that Russia is in a much weaker position than, you know, than
previously, with many foreign ministers announcing additional sanctions on Russia.
I'm talking mostly EU, of course. When it comes to the U.S., though, we know when we heard from President Zelenskyy that they want -- that he wants
more air defense capabilities, particularly when it comes to ballistic missiles. Do you see a scenario where the U.S. will facilitate this?
SOVSUN: Well, it's obvious why President Zelenskyy is asking for air defense missiles from the Americans. They have the missiles and the
licenses for the missiles, for Patriot systems. They are the only ones basically that we have to intercept Russian ballistics.
Unfortunately, Russia has over the last couple of weeks launched several huge attacks into Kyiv specifically, but also into other cities in Ukraine.
One was two days ago, which was terrifying, absolutely.
Absolutely, you know, terrifying to live through. And unfortunately, we didn't have enough missiles to intercept those. So, yes, we need those
missiles so that we don't have this vulnerability that Putin can exploit to, you know, to undermine the civilians and the morale here and so on and
so forth.
On the other hand, yes, there are lots of talks that Russia's positions on the frontline are now not as strong as they used to be, but also, we
shouldn't be, you know, overly optimistic. We shouldn't underestimate the enemy. We shouldn't underestimate Russia's strength.
They still have hundreds of thousands of people on the frontlines. They still have, you know, people fighting. They're still proceeding in some
areas slowly, much slower than they would want to. But I don't want that to be, you know, a mantra where everybody believes that Russia is already
losing --
SOARES: Yes --
SOVSUN: So, we should make enough -- a lot of effort to stop them.
SOARES: Let me stay with that because, you know, we have seen and we've just shown our viewers in the last 24 hours, of course, Ukraine shown last
24 hours over the last few months that it can inflict in real pain on the Kremlin striking deep inside Russia in return.
Russia, as you clearly outlined there, has continued to attack. It strikes potentially not particularly effective, but grotesque nevertheless. When
you look at the way that Russia is now striking, is this Russian desperation, you think, and will -- and do you think that this forces
Russia in any way to the negotiating table?
SOVSUN: Well, I think Russia wants to show strength. It cannot show strength on the frontline. They cannot take over Donbas, which they have
been promising for many years now. They cannot take over any major big cities.
So, the only thing they have left where they can beat us is basically those attacks on civilian areas, on civilian population. That is why for the last
couple of weeks, we have seen several of those big attacks.
Again, as I mentioned, the last one was particularly terrifying. Luckily, it didn't cause, you know -- it didn't result probably in that many people
killed as in some others. But it was still, you know, terrifying experience to live through.
And I think what they're trying to do is to show that we still have the cards to play, you know, if we use a Donald Trump's rhetoric. And those are
the ballistics and Putin knows definitely that the Ukraine is running short on anti-ballistic missiles as of right now --
SOARES: Yes --
[14:15:00]
SOVSUN: Because the U.S. has not been selling those to Ukraine over the last couple of -- couple of months. So, I think that he shows strength. You
might think that, it means that he's desperate. And I think that is how it's often interpreted on the West, that rationally-speaking, it means
that, that Putin should stop.
But the problem with this interpretation is that, Putin doesn't think rationally. If he were thinking rationally --
SOARES: Yes --
SOVSUN: He wouldn't have started this war to begin with. So, I think that's important to remember.
SOARES: And I imagine as well, you know, I know we're only in June, but I imagine that President Zelenskyy would be wanting some sort of negotiations
before, of course, the hardship of Winter begins again.
I suspect -- and you're in -- you're in Kyiv in Ukraine, just for our U.S. audience. Do Ukrainians still believe that this administration, this
President, U.S. President is on Ukraine's side that they -- he can deliver? Give us a sense of the mood on the ground.
SOVSUN: Well, to be completely honest, that would be a stretch to say so. So, no, we unfortunately, over the last -- was it 18 months of Donald
Trump's involvement in this -- those negotiations into -- to some extent.
We unfortunately have seen that he is rather playing the Russian side. He's rather a more understanding to their arguments and definitely has some very
tough feelings towards President Zelenskyy. So, no, we're not seeing him as a -- you know, negotiator on Ukraine's side, unfortunately.
Even though I do believe that the -- you know, the people of the United States very much understand that who is the victim in this war, and whose
side the biggest democracy in the world should be supporting?
So, no, we don't think that on the emotional level, President Trump is very much eager to support Ukraine. But on the other hand, I do think that
President Trump is keeping in mind the fact that Russia is a friend of China. There is an obvious competition between the U.S. and China.
Something that, you know, the geopolitics of Donald Trump, so, I think there can be rational arguments to how we can -- we can still work with the
U.S. administration right now. And I think that is --
SOARES: Yes --
SOVSUN: What we're trying to do. Ready to give up on that --
SOARES: Inna --
SOVSUN: Those, you know, conversations with our friends in the U.S.
SOARES: Inna Sovsun, really appreciate you taking the time to speak to us. Thank you very much, Inna. Speaking to us live there from Kyiv, as you can
see in Ukraine. And a developing story to bring you now. Britain's Defense Ministry says it is investigating a report that a Russian warship fired
warning shots at a yacht in the English Channel.
People on board the yacht said it happened about 32 kilometers off the Isle of Wight. That's outside U.K. territorial waters. There are no reports of
injuries or indeed of damage. And it comes just two days after British forces in the channel boarded and detained an oil tanker linked to Russia's
Shadow Fleet.
Officials are not saying the events are connected by the way. We'll bring you much more on this developing story as we get more information. And just
ahead right here on the show, the stars are coming out today in a big way at the World Cup.
Messi, Mbappe and Haaland all set to step onto the pitch. And the performance of a life-time. We'll explain why this Uganda dance troupe is
set to join superstar Shakira at the World Cup final halftime show. Both those stories after this very short break. You are watching CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:20:00]
SOARES: Well, a World Cup that's already seen major underdogs steal the spotlight is about to get a huge dose of star power today. The biggest
names in football take to the pitch for the first time in this tournament in less than an hour.
You're seeing them there on your screen. Kylian Mbappe right in the center of France, kick off against Senegal. Later Erling Haaland as you can see to
the right of your screen, on your left, if you're on the other side, makes his world debut with Norway as they face Iraq, then Lionel Messi and
defending champ, of course, Argentina takes on Algeria.
Well, sports Don Riddell joins us now from Atlanta. So, Don, I mean this is major star power on the pitch right here. Talk us through these fixtures
and how really, they match up because we've had few surprises already.
DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORTS: Yes, for sure, Isa. How is it that it's day six of the tournament and we haven't seen any of these guys play yet. But
here we are, and it's just like waiting for London buses. You wait ages and then two or in this case three all come along at the same time.
Yes, a lot of excitement about these games. I guess, let's talk about Argentina and Lionel Messi, you remember, he is playing in his sixth World
Cup tournament, which is a record and which is just extraordinary. They're playing against Algeria, the defending champions too.
So, a lot of excitement around Argentina. France-Senegal is absolutely fascinating. Remember, France won this tournament in 2018, they lost to
Argentina on penalties four years ago. Kylian Mbappe is their star, but they've just got an absolutely star-studded team.
It's not just Mbappe, they've got the Ballon d'Or winner, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise as well upfront. So, that's going to be exciting. But a lot
of football fans will remember what happened in 2002 when as the defending champions then, they played Senegal in their first game and were beaten.
And so much excitement about Erling Haaland playing in his first World Cup tournament. This guy has already done it all at club level with Manchester
City, but he's never played on this stage before, so that's going to be exciting too.
SOARES: I'm looking forward to seeing France-Senegal, that will be exciting to watch. But can I -- before we go, can we just take a moment, Don, to
talk about these World Cup debutants that we saw in the last 24 hours.
Well, this time yesterday, and that's Cape Verde and their star goalkeeper Vozinha, who I mean, the streets not just of Praia there in Cape Verde, but
also of Lisbon were full of party atmosphere following this match against Spain. And Vozinha really kept Spain at bay. What a terrific job --
RIDDELL: Yes --
SOARES: For this 40-year-old.
RIDDELL: It was amazing. And I was at the game inside the stadium. And I'll be honest with you, I assumed I was going to watch a sort of fairly routine
4 or 5-nil win for Spain, who are the European champions tipped to go all the way in this tournament.
Cape Verde have never played in the World Cup, and their fans were just telling me just being here is the trophy, and then they went and did this.
And Vozinha, you're right, was the star and the most unlikely star too.
He's 40 years old, he plays in the Portuguese second division. He was thinking of quitting the game before this tournament. And here he is making
seven saves, some of which were absolutely remarkable, allowing his team, the Blue Sharks, to pull off this incredible result.
I mean, it's one of the most seismic results in World Cup history. And he is a fascinating story, too. And when you listen to him speak, it's kind of
bittersweet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOSIMAR VOZINHA JOSE EVORA DIAS, GOALKEEPER, CAPE VERDE MEN'S NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM: Is my mum, she didn't manage to be here because of the visa
-- the -- how to say, the -- I forget now. It's because of the money, you have to pay for the visa, we didn't manage on time, and I would like she to
be here, but I'm very happy also, and I'm very happy for all the Cabo Verdean people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[14:25:00]
RIDDELL: Let's hope she can get a visa, Isa, and come to watch her son in this tournament. By the way, before this game, he had a few thousand social
media --
(LAUGHTER)
RIDDELL: Followers. Look at it now, 8 million, that's what 90 minutes of incredible football can do to your global exposure. Just amazing.
SOARES: And it's -- I mean, he was just amazing what he did, but also his story is beautiful and how emotional he was after that, what it meant to
him. And I think this is a reminder, isn't it, Don, that besides the football, this is what we come, we enjoy from the World Cup really these
amazing stories.
RIDDELL: Yes --
SOARES: Don Riddell there with the very latest. Good to see you, Don --
RIDDELL: Me too.
SOARES: Now staying with the World Cup, from the streets of Kampala to football's biggest final Ugandan dance troupe, Ghetto Kids are preparing
for the performance of a lifetime at the World Cup final half-time show.
Their upbeat choreography captured the attention of Colombian superstar and half-time performer Shakira. I caught up with the Ghetto Kids Foundation
founder Kate Mauda, and some of the dancers ahead of their historic showcase. Have a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SHAKIRA ISABEL MEBARAK RIPOLL, COLOMBIAN SINGER & DANCER: So, I've already invited the Ghetto Kids from Uganda.
(GHETTO KIDS JUBILATING)
SOARES (voice-over): It was the message of a life-time. The moment a group of kids from Uganda found out they'd be performing at the FIFA World Cup
final alongside the one and only Shakira.
(On camera): Can you tell us and tell our viewers around the world what that moment was like when you got the invite?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He came in rushing, he was like guys, come watch this. It was Shakira, I've heard everything. She was like, oh, I've confirmed
that Ghetto Kids will come and perform with me at the FIFA World Cup final.
So, we were jumping around, just know that words can't express or explain how happy we are. It was a dream come true. We danced!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I felt so happy. This is a big opportunity and I can't wait to perform with Shakira.
(GHETTO KIDS PERFORMING WITH SHAKIRA)
SOARES (voice-over): The group known as the Ghetto Kids caught Shakira's eye on social media.
(UGANDAN KIDS CHANTING SHAKIRA)
SOARES: That their infectiously joyful dance videos have amassed millions of followers. Made up of dozens of children in poverty from the age of 4 to
16, the initiative has given boys like Maduana(ph), a purpose in life.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I will say that, we are here because of dance. Everything we have achieved, we have achieved it because of dance. It is
something that gave me some kind of light and inspiration. So, I have to keep on pushing, dancing, keep spreading love and happiness. So, dancing is
like our talent and our source of income. It is where we get food, education.
SOARES: The group's founder Kavuma Dauda knows this moment will be the biggest performance of their young dance careers so far.
KAVUMA DAUDA, FOUNDER, GHETTO KIDS: On our site, we are more than ready, the children are ready, and they don't need more training because it's
natural, organic from them.
SOARES: And do you know whether -- is there a choreography, or are you going to go out and dance your hearts off?
DAUDA: I think it will be two ways. Our own way, because people would love to see that happiness, the joy, and then we'll do some choreography from
the Shakira's team and her choreography too.
SOARES: And I was lucky enough to get a small preview of all that hard work.
(GHETTO KIDS DANCING)
SOARES: And soon, the world will be dancing along with them.
(GHETTO KIDS DANCING)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: Our thanks to the Ghetto Kids, just bring us so much joy. We wish them the very best of luck. We are going to take a short break. Do stay
right here with CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:32:10]
SOARES: Well, returning to our top story this hour. As world leaders gather in France for the G7 Summit. There's a search for answers from U.S.
President Donald Trump over the peace deal with Iran. If global headlines are anything to go by. He shouldn't be expecting fanfare and
congratulations.
Germany's Der Spiegel newspaper writing Trump's deal with Iran is a total catastrophe. Meanwhile, France's Le Monde editorial writes Iran wore the
cost of Trump's blindness. Adding he could have likely avoided what now looks like a fiasco had he listened to his G7 allies. And Spain's El Mundo
editorial reads Trump sella su fracaso en Iran. Translated for you, that's Trump seals his failure on Iran. The New York Times editorial board bluntly
stating Trump lost the war he started in Iran.
While our very own Stephen Collinson writing that Trump's European afterparty is being spoiled by irksome realities. Going on to say worsening
reviews for Trump's Iran agreement risks becoming a mood killer for a president, who nevertheless claimed it was a very powerful document.
Stephen Collinson joins me now for more. And so, I mean, Stephen, I was speaking to Melissa Bell. And Melissa (INAUDIBLE) the top of the show. And
we've been talking about how Trump is very much touting this framework agreement with Iran of the G7. But as you just saw there from European
editorials, they are just not convinced that the U.S. has come out on top.
Just give us a sense of what you hear in your side, because according to Axios, there are some concerns also within the U.S. administration over
this.
STEPHEN COLLINSON, CNN POLITICS SENIOR REPORTER: Yes, I think one of the problems here is that the administration hasn't released the text of this
deal. It says it will only do so after the formal signing ceremony in Switzerland on Friday. J.D. Vance has been doing the rounds of U.S. media
today, and he was asked about it on the Megyn Kelly show. And he said it was not been released for some cultural reasons to do with the Muslim and
Arab world and some questions of sequencing, which doesn't really clear this up at all.
I think once again we're seeing the inadequacy of the administration's messaging on the war. They couldn't really justify why they launched the
war in the first place. And now, they seem to be botching the messaging of the end of the war if this is what this is. And that is one of the reasons
why people think that the U.S. got a very bad deal. And Trump wants to get out of this, including many people in Israel, by the way. So, I think this
is turning into a bit of a political nightmare for the administration.
And it shows, I think, the difference between Washington, where I think there is at least some satisfaction that the war may be ending and the
terrible impacts around the world economically may be mitigated, and the rest of the world where Iran is shown to have stood up to the U.S.
superpower. The regime has survived, albeit in a new form.
[14:35:00]
And in many ways, I think people are seeing that as a failure for the United States that has real consequences for relative U.S. power in the
world.
SOARES: Yes. Look, and you're right. Until this, I think it's a page and a half of documents actually read out to the press, and I think President
Trump did the same thing. I'd like to see that. It's really on us just to go, right, to try and piece together what's going on. And there are many
questions.
Let me focus on one of the main points I think is being brought up in the United States, because President Trump has insisted, Stephen, that the U.S.
will not be investing any money in Iran. I think those were his words, really trying to kind of dampen down fears that Iran will receive any sort
of American funds. But then his vice president, J.D. Vance, said that Iranians could have access to a $300 billion reconstruction fund if they
comply with the terms of the deal.
I mean, how would that even be received? Because I know this still needs to go to Congress. So, just add the political context there within Washington
here.
COLLINSON: Well, it's being received very poorly on Capitol Hill, because Trump himself always used to make the charge that the Obama administration
deal, the JCPOA, resulted in giving Iran $150 billion in cash. That was not the case. Iran's assets were freezed up under that deal, and most estimates
put the absolute maximum over about $50 billion. But, of course, Iran also got benefits from the easing of sanctions that were possible under that
deal.
The idea that Iran would get any money is anathema to many of the hawks on Capitol Hill. The worry is that this money will not be diverted to
improving the lives of the Iranian people by the regime, but will be used to, again, fund Hezbollah, to rebuild the Iranian proxy network around the
Middle East, and to make up for some of the damage that was made to the Iranian military, missiles, et cetera. So, this is very difficult political
territory for the administration.
And I think, once again, the fact that we don't know what it says in the deal is only making this worse. It seems, from what we can tell and from
what administration officials are saying, that a lot of this depends on an undertaking by Iran not to develop nuclear weapons in future, and an
assumption that Iran wants to get benefits, financial benefits, and so therefore won't do that. That is a pretty thin reed on which to make a
major international agreement, especially given years of American suspicions that Iran will not stop enriching uranium.
SOARES: And apparently, we may get the text in the next couple of days, according to President Trump, which we'll see, because it's all about the
details, of course. Stephen Collinson, good to see you, Stephen. Appreciate it.
COLLINSON: Thanks.
SOARES: Well, a new CNN poll finds a growing number of Americans don't like either of the two major political parties. The poll finds almost half of
Americans say they are independent and don't identify with either the Democrats or the Republicans. There has been a shift away from Republicans
since Donald Trump won the White House for a second time in 2024. The number of Americans who call themselves independent has surged in recent
years and is now at the highest point in more than a decade.
Well, federal officials have arrested several people in connection to an alleged plot to attack Sunday night's UFC event at the White House, FBI
Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest in a post on X. As you can see there, he said the plot was part of a multi-state operation that included
people from outside the Washington, D.C. area. Law enforcement sources say the plot included attaching deadly payloads to drones as well as a gunman.
Among those accused is a 19-year-old who was turned in by his parents. We'll stay across that story for you.
And still to come tonight, the U.K.'s changing political climate, how the right-wing has gone mainstream and how it connects to the MAGA movement in
the U.S. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:40:00]
SOARES: Well, politics in the U.K. are undergoing a change. Voices from the far-right are moving from the French right into the mainstream. What
started out as a hate-filled online chat has turned into huge public rallies with tens of thousands attending. Our Jomana Karadsheh takes a
closer look at how the far-right has surged right here in the U.K.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Leftie scum off our streets.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's take our country back.
JOE MULHALL, DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH, HOPE NOT HATE: There is a magma chamber of anger sat underneath British society right now.
JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Britain's been shifting to the right. I've spent the past few months trying to understand what's
happening in this country. No one speak to the media room. Attending far- right protests, including Unite the Kingdom, one of the biggest far-right rallies ever.
On the streets of the U.K., where tens of thousands responded to the call of this man, anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson, a convicted criminal
turned anti-establishment figure.
TOMMY ROBINSON: Are you ready for the battle of Britain?
KARADSHEH (voice-over): But it's not just on the streets, and it's not just the extreme right that's on the up. The populist right-wing party Reform
U.K., led by long-time Trump ally Nigel Farage, made massive gains in local elections in May.
This rightward shift isn't one single movement. The different groups represent different shades of right-wing politics, but they all seem to be
feeding off of a divided Britain. At the heart of those divisions is the issue of migration.
Just this week, a horrific attack by a Sudanese refugee on the streets of Belfast almost immediately turned into the latest I told you so moment for
the far-right, transforming a local tragedy into a national rallying cry. Powerful allies amplifying the message and fanning the flames of hate.
MULHALL: People in Britain are angry.
KARADSHEH (voice-over): Joe Mulhall infiltrated far-right groups, undercover here in the U.K. and in the U.S. He's one of the U.K.'s top
experts on these movements.
MULHALL: You know, if you look at the way that people's lives have been, you know, lack of jobs, houses, schools, hospitals, stagnated wages, living
standards going down or stagnating for years and years, and they feel that mainstream political parties have not met their material needs. What the
far-right are really good at is going to those people, and they turn up and they say, you're right to be angry, and they give them a scapegoat.
[13:35:00]
And they say, it's because someone has come to this country and taken it from you. They're really good at redirecting people's anger from where it
should be directed.
KARADSHEH (voice-over): I've seen exactly what Joe's talking about. There have been hundreds of protests across the country over the past year,
according to activists tracking far-right movements. It's mostly been about migration and how consecutive governments have dealt with this issue.
And with the center-left Labour Party back in power for the first time in two decades, the far-right senses conditions are ripe for a resurgence.
It's in tight-knit communities like this one in the sleepy market town of Faversham outside London, where we saw it all play out late last year.
[14:45:00]
Walking through town with a protest organized by a far-right activist, you see those divisions and feel the anger.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Shame on you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't -- touch me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Shame on you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shame on me?
KARADSHEH: Right now, they're marching towards this facility where unaccompanied minors, asylum seekers, have been housed in this town.
KARADSHEH (voice-over): They're a loud crowd, but it's clear there are more noise than numbers. And you do see locals coming out to confront them.
CROWD: Refugees are welcome here.
KARADSHEH (voice-over): The main event kicks off with a rambling mix of racist rhetoric, fear-mongering, and white supremacist conspiracy theories.
HARRY HILDEN, ANTI-IMMIGRATION ACTIVIST: They're teaching about Mohammed and Allah. We will not tolerate our children to be taught about LGBTQ and
not prone as a belief what they can identify as. We will not tolerate that around here.
PAUL GOLDING, LEADER, BRITAIN FIRST: Keep up the pressure and one day you will be victorious.
KARADSHEH (voice-over): At this one tiny town's protest, we find one of the leaders of the U.K.'s extreme right.
GOLDING: Our country's been taken over by mass immigration. We're fed up. This is not the future that our grandparents and great-grandparents fought
for in two world wars. They didn't fight for this to be done to our country.
KARADSHEH: So, you want a white Britain?
GOLDING: We want our country to be like it was before this immigration invasion was foisted on us. Yes. You mentioned far-right, neo-Nazi, all
that a minute ago, as if that kind of stuff, that doesn't hold any power anymore. You must have learned this from Trump's victory. No one cares if
they're called racist anymore. Those terms are just used to silence people.
KARADSHEH (voice-over): The re-election of Donald Trump is not only an inspiration for this one extreme right figure. At every far-right event
I've been to, it is a constant theme. Trump's Make America Great Again has come to the U.K.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is MEGA. Make England Great Again.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Trump is the man.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have so much respect for President Trump. He is saving not just America, he is saving the West and he's saving the world.
KARADSHEH: You're wearing this because?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because I'm a Donald fan.
KARADSHEH: What is it that's going on? How much of this is really influence from the U.S.?
MULHALL: There's no question they're a huge influence. When the far-right is small little fringe political parties, that sounds fanciful. When you've
got Donald Trump in the White House, the most powerful man in the world, they can then point someone and say, look, it's happened there. If it can
happen there, it can happen here.
KARADSHEH: Are we headed into a direction where the far-right is turning into a significant political force in Britain?
MULHALL: I think there's no doubt about it, right? The far-right is no longer something that sits on the very margins of our politics in Britain,
an annoyance to the right. It is increasingly something that actually has the real chance of taking power in Britain.
KARADSHEH (voice-over): The once fringe voices seem to be moving into the mainstream. It's a small but vocal minority that's threatening to change
the face of Britain. Now, they believe their moment has arrived.
Jomana Karadsheh, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: Our thanks to Jomana for that report. And still to come tonight, Albania's Flamingo Revolution is now in a third week of protests. I'll have
a deeper look at how we -- what we know about Jared Kushner's partners in a deeply controversial resort project. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:50:00]
SOARES: Well, the Flamingo Revolution protests in Albania's capital are now in their third week. We've been showing the images here on the show almost
every day. The protests, if you remember, began in response to a luxury resort on an environmentally sensitive coastline. I believe these are live
images coming to you live from Tirana.
But since then, they have grown into a larger corruption probe, with protesters calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign. And they've been
out on the streets very much every night, as we've shown you here. Still, despite these calls, the growing cause of prime minister is vowing to stay
in power.
CNN has been showing documents about the project, and it raises new questions about the people and the financing behind the development.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES (voice-over): Tens of thousands of people on the streets of Tirana, demanding a new Albania. The largest anti-government protest the country
has seen since the fall of communism in 1991.
GERAL XHAIR, PROTESTER: So, we don't have to sell our country. We don't have to sell our land to other investors.
SOARES (voiceover): The Flamingo Revolution, as it's dubbed, started in response to a proposed luxury development linked to President Trump's
daughter Ivanka and his son in law and one of his chief negotiators, Jared Kushner.
The real estate project includes two areas, Sazan island on the country's Adriatic coast and some of the beachfront near the Zvernec wetlands and the
Narta Lagoon.
IVANKA TRUMP, DAUGHTER OF U.S. PRESIDENT: We were on a friend's boat and we stopped for a swim. We swam to the islands. We went on a hike barefoot all
the way up to the top, and we were just captivated.
SOARES (voiceover): The coastline is a protected area, home to several endangered species and a nesting site for thousands of flamingos.
Protesters fear the project will destroy the habitat, despite what Ivanka Trump has said previously.
TRUMP: We developed the opportunity to help realize its potential and transform it, but with a lot of restraint and care because the land is so
beautiful.
SOARES (voiceover): Preliminary project documents seen by CNN show the project is intended to be massive in scale. With luxury villas, hotels with
hundreds of rooms, a marina and even a golf course, a casino and a water park. They also reveal one of Kushner's partners in the Sazan development
is the Qatari Base Assets group owned by Moutaz and Ramez Al-Khayyat. Syrian born Qatari based billionaires with deep ties to the Qatari royal
family. Both were at President Trump's inauguration.
Their other brother Mohammed, not a stranger to Washington either. He lobbied Congress to lift sanctions on Syria, proposing to build a golf
course with President Trump's name in Syria. Sazan Real Estate Development LLC confirms Ramez and Moutaz are both involved, but said the project is
still in its design phase and that they are prioritizing environmental stewardship. Their partnership very important for the Kushner's, as was
that of Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama.
JARED KUSHNER, SON-IN-LAW OF US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We were on our friend Nat Rothschild's boat. One of the nights, their Prime Minister Rama
came to the boat. I had not met him when I was in government.
SOARES (voiceover): His and his government support key, according to Kushner.
KUSHNER: And we felt like the environment was perfect, but without the great work of the team on the ground, our partners on the ground and the
government really creating a very pro-growth environment. We would not have engaged in the project.
SOARES (voiceover): It's that so called pro-growth environment. Demonstrators are now questioning with protests demanding more transparency
in other areas, accusing those in power of corruption and calling on Prime Minister Rama to resign.
The Albanian prime minister has denied the accusations and in his weekly podcast rallied against protesters.
[14:55:00]
EDI RAMA, ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER (voiceover): The fascist spirit is the spirit that says Albania belongs to the Albanians, so all the others
outside are not welcome. Just as Germany was for the Germans and became the black sheep of Europe for years and years.
SOARES (voiceover): Rama has vowed to push past the concerns of the thousands of Albanians who have come out in protest, claiming the project
will transform the country for the better. But with demonstrations going into their third week, it's hard to see this Flamingo Revolution backing
down.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES (on camera): And of course, we'll stay across those protests for you, as we have done throughout the last three weeks.
And finally, tonight, Romeo and Juliet is a tragic tale of course, of love and all that stood in its way. And this time, that was a cat, that's what
stood in the way. The furry performer interrupted the Imperial Russian Ballet Company's rendition of Shakespeare play in Turkey, even pulling at
Romeo's hair as he lay dead on stage. But as any actor knows, the show must indeed go on. And the cast continued, and the cat climbed onto a prop to
watch the rest of the show. Following the play's tragic ending, I'm sure it's sure to appreciate, of course, having nine lives.
And that does it for us for tonight. Thanks very much for your company. Do stay right here. "What We Know" with Max Vostok is up next. I shall see you
tomorrow. Have a wonderful evening. Bye-bye.
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[15:00:00]
END
