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Sources Say, Israel Pauses Strikes on Iran, Continue Strikes in Lebanon; Six Injured in New York City Stabbing Ahead of Trump Attending NBA Finals; Pelley Sits Down With New York Times After Firing from CBS News. Aired 10-10:30a ET

Aired June 08, 2026 - 10:00   ET

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

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PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, breaking news, new strikes and tense negotiations. Iran says it is suspending attacks against Israel as long as it doesn't strike Southern Lebanon. But just an hour later, Lebanon's state-run news reported that Israel did just that. We are following the very latest.

Plus, deadly earthquake, shocking video shows the moment buildings crumbled as a 7.8 magnitude quake hits the Philippines.

And then later, Los Angeles wildfire trial, federal prosecutors say a 29-year-old man was, quote, pissed off the world before intentionally starting the deadly Palisades Fire. His trial will begin next hour.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: And urgent security concerns. Six people were hurt in a stabbing at New York's Penn Station just a day before the city hosts the NBA Finals with President Trump in attendance right next door at Madison Square Garden.

Plus, suing to stop the fight, why two Virginia residents are taking the Trump administration to court to try to scrap the UFC fight set for six days from now.

And later, the Stanley Cup had its time to shine right here in The Situation Room. Now the Stanley Pups will get their turn. Some four- legged friends will be here, and we'll tell you all about it.

Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer with Pamela Brown, and you're in The Situation Room.

We begin this morning with the breaking news, a major escalation in the Middle East. Israel now says it will pause strikes in Iran at the request of the Trump administration, but it will not stop targeting Hezbollah's targets in Southern Lebanon. Israel launched a fresh attack there less than an hour after Iran said it suspended its military operations against the country.

All of this comes as the two traded strikes overnight. It's the largest escalation of the conflict since April. And this new video shows Israeli military strikes on Iranian air defense systems. The latest attacks are a major test for the very fragile ceasefire on the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran that President Trump insists were, quote, very close.

CNN Senior International Correspondent Fred Pleitgen is in Tehran. We should note that CNN operates in Iran only with the permission of the government there, but maintains full editorial control of its reports. Here's Fred Pleitgen.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Certainly, what we heard early this morning is that the first strikes by the Israelis happened around 4:45 local time right here in the Tehran area. We personally didn't hear them, but certainly people in the west of Tehran heard some pretty loud blasts. The Israelis then also saying that they struck two other areas inside Iran as well, one of them the northern town of Tabriz, and the other one Isfahan, which is sort of in the center of Iran.

And then there was that attack on that petrochemical site. That's near the Iraqi border, near the town of Basrah. And the Iranians said that they immediately struck back. First and foremost, they said that they targeted two Israeli military bases, specifically the radar installations affiliated with those military bases.

But also then specifically in retaliation for the attack on that petrochemical facility, the Iranians saying that they struck a similar facility, or they attacked a similar facility near the town of Haifa. As you've been noting that the Iranians now saying that they are suspending their military operations for now.

They are saying that they have dealt what they call a heavy blow to the Israelis. At this point in time right now, that military operation is suspended. But, of course, the big question now is, is the diplomacy going to get going to get going again? How far away are the two sides, the U.S. and Iran, from reaching some sort of memorandum of understanding that could then pave the way for broader peace talks?

In the past couple of days, the Iranians have been saying that the going has obviously been very tough. I just spoke to a senior Iranian lawmaker who also echoed that as well, but at the same time said that if the Americans negotiate in good faith, then the Iranians certainly are up for negotiations as well. Guys?

BLITZER: All right. Fred Pleitgen in Tehran for us, thank you very, very much.

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Pamela?

BROWN: All right, Wolf. Let's go live now to CNN Senior White House Reporter Kevin Liptak. Kevin, President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke twice in the past 24 hours. Of course, as we know, President Trump wants this to stop. What more can you tell us about these conversations? KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Right, and that latest conversation happening just a few hours ago this morning. Last night, the president encouraged Netanyahu not to retaliate against Iran. He actually told reporters that that would be his message to the prime minister before he actually got on the telephone.

Of course, after that, we know that Israel did in fact respond to Iran firing missiles towards that petrochemical plant and other weapons facilities inside that country, all raising the question of just how much sway President Trump has on his top ally in Israel, and raising questions about the status of this negotiation that the president keeps saying is entering its final stages, but keeps failing to materialize.

Now, as of now, the White House seems to be breathing a sigh of relief, as it seems like both sides are willing to deescalate for now, although Israel's still reserving the right to go after Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon, which at the end of the day is the conflict that seems to be upending some of these very fragile discussions.

You know, President Trump last week having that expletive-laden phone call with Netanyahu, asking him to ease up in Lebanon as these discussions proceed. This morning, President Trump writing on social media that final negotiations on peace are proceeding subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in the way. The president also saying that things should move quickly.

But, again, the president has been saying this for quite some time, only to have, you know, individual words, individual sentences in this memorandum of understanding seeming to hold up finalization of the document.

You know, it does seem clear at this point that the president and Netanyahu are at odds in some ways. Their objectives for this conflict seem to be diverging. Netanyahu very skeptical that this diplomacy with Iran will produce a deal that can secure Israel's security, that can prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

President Trump also facing pressure, political pressure to try and get this conflict wrapped up as gas prices rise, as the price of oil keeps going up, and as Republicans show a new willingness to break with him on this conflict.

And so how the two of them proceed going forward remains to be seen. One thing that's clear is that this entire memorandum of understanding is sort of underpinned by the understanding that President Trump has an ability to influence Israel's conduct in all of this, the ability to pressure Netanyahu not to go back to war. And so whether this affects these final negotiations at this point remains to be seen. Pam?

BROWN: All right. Kevin Liptak live for us from the White House, thanks so much. Wolf?

BLITZER: And still ahead, heightened security. Six people are stabbed at New York's Penn Station just one day before the president is expected to attend game three of the NBA Finals. We're live outside Madison Square Garden as NYPD and Secret Service officials give an update on how they're planning to keep everyone safe.

Plus this --

BROWN: Happening now, rescues are underway in the Philippines after a massive earthquake leaves over a dozen people dead and hundreds injured.

You're in The Situation Room, and we'll be right back

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BROWN: Happening now, heightened security in New York City after police say six people were hurt in a stabbing spree at Penn Station just last night. According to law enforcement, all those victims are expected to survive, and police say a suspect is in custody. But it comes as President Trump is expected to attend game three of the NBA finals at Madison Square Garden tonight. The arena sits right on top of the busy transit center.

So, let's go live now to CNN's Mark Morales, who joins us right outside Madison Square Garden. Mark, the NYPD and the Secret Service just gave an update on the security measures being taken ahead of tonight's game. What more can you tell us about that?

MARK MORALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, as you can tell behind me, the security measures are really starting to take shape. As you've mentioned, the NYPD and Secret Service told us exactly what that's going to entail. And between Streets 30 and 35th Streets, and from 6th to 8th Avenues, it's going to be a frozen zone, no pedestrians, no crosstown traffic to cars. Basically, the only people that are going to be allowed in there are anybody that has an actual ticket for the game or anybody who's going to be going to Penn Station to travel, as we mentioned.

Now, we did mention that stabbing incident from last night. All these security measures happened before that incident happened. But that just goes to show you how much of an active situation this is, because anything can happen here in New York City.

And because of that, we're just going to take you a little bit along here just so you can take a look at what's going on. What you're seeing here are these anti-climbing fences that were put in by the Secret Service during the overnight hours. Fences like these will be engulfing all around Madison Square Garden today to prevent from people actually climbing. As we've seen from the spill-outs of the watch parties that happened over on 8th Avenue, you saw a lot of people climbing, and this is designed to stop that from happening.

Now, there are other going to be -- there are going to be other measures that you're not going to see. There's going to be other intelligence, there's going to be a lot of camera monitoring. But at the same time, there's also going to be a lot of counter-terror teams and counterassault teams. And we spoke to the head of the Secret Service here in New York, Matt McCool, and he told us that this was going to be the safest Madison Square Garden has ever been for a basketball game.

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Take a listen.

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MATT MCCOOL, U.S. SECRET SERVICE: The Secret Service's focus is straightforward: to ensure everyone attending the game can enjoy the game and have a safe experience while we carry out our responsibility to protect the president of the United States.

All attendees will pass through TSA-style magnetometer screening before entering the arena. I strongly encourage fans to arrive at MSG at least two hours before tip-off. There is a strict no bag policy in place, and there will be no storage for prohibited items outside the venue.

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MORALES: Now, a lot has been made of these watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden. That's something that Secret Service is very, very concerned about. It's not going to happen here. It's going to be at other locations. But that watch party that happens outside Madison Square Garden will be back for game four. Pam?

BROWN: All right. Mark Morales, thank you so much. Yes, folks who are going to the game need to get there around two hours early they were saying.

BLITZER: Yes. And women have to remember, don't bring your purse, because there's no place to leave it.

BROWN: Exactly.

BLITZER: Yes. So, if you go to the game, don't bring your purse.

BROWN: All right. I just have my phone.

BLITZER: Okay, that's enough.

BROWN: That's what I usually just bring along with me.

BLITZER: Coming up, speaking out. Scott Pelley is taking shots at CBS in his first interview since being fired. Why the veteran correspondent says the network is now, quote, on fire.

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BLITZER: Scott Pelley is now speaking out at length for the first time since he was let go from CBS News. The former 60 Minutes correspondent sat down with The New York Times, where he called for the editor-in-chief to be fired, the CBS News editor-in-chief to be fired from her role. He discussed the network's new direction, its inexperienced T.V. leaders, and the days leading up to his termination. Listen to this.

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SCOTT PELLEY, FORMER 60 MINUTES CORRESPONDENT: We can save this It's possible to land this plane, but right now, CBS News, in my view, is on fire.

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BROWN: Strong words there. So, let's bring in CNN Chief Media Analyst Brian Stelter for more perspective on this interview.

Brian, you pointed out that last month, 60 Minutes had seven full-time correspondents. Now it has three. So, how will CBS be able to land the plane, as Pelley puts it, after such a tumultuous week?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: Right. This is an incredibly unusual rupture for one of the biggest news organizations in the country. It's been embarrassing and very awkward inside CBS, very problematic. It's caused morale to plummet at CBS News. And now the question really revolves around CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and whether Paramount CEO, David Ellison will remain supportive of Weiss and her mission to renovate CBS News.

What Pelley said there in the interview was really striking. He was pointedly saying to Paramount, you can fix this. You can salvage this. He even suggested having Weiss go back to her startup, The Free Press, that Paramount acquired last October. Let her go back to that. That was a successful enterprise and is now owned by Paramount.

So, that is ultimately the question here. I've had people ask me in the last couple of days, does all this bad news about CBS News translate to bad news about Paramount's takeover bid for Warner Bros- Discovery, including CNN? The answer is no, not directly, but it does raise a different question. What about Weiss and her future with Paramount? That is ultimately the big topic right now.

When it comes to that merger and that effort by Paramount to take over CNN, right now that's an antitrust matter. It's not a journalism ethics matter. But these bad headlines about CBS News do still raise anxiety and do still raise alarms. I had a source involved in the transaction say to me, legally speaking, this doesn't matter, but P.R.-wise, it might matter because the state level attorneys general who are reviewing the deal, who are likely to try to sue to block the deal, they're probably going to take that action in the coming weeks.

They're not going to be talking about CBS News or Scott Pelley if they sue, but that lawsuit will still come at a time -- if it is filed, it will still come at a time when all this bad news about Pelley and CBS and Weiss is still all over the news and front and center in people's minds.

BLITZER: Did they address Pelley's firing on last night's 60 Minutes episode?

STELTER: No. It's a little bit odd actually, because 60 Minutes is on a summer break. Pelley still shows up in the intro to the show, so do the other fired correspondents. That's going to continue all summer long, I'm told. That's just the way 60 Minutes operates. But it is a strange sight for viewers who have heard all about this mess at CBS, but they're still seeing Pelley's face on T.V.

BROWN: All right. Let's pivot to NBC. During this pre-taped interview on Meet the Press, President Trump, as many of us have seen, stormed off after Kristen Welker asked him for evidence to back up his false claims of election fraud in California. Let's watch.

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KRISTEN WELKER, NBC NEWS HOST: Let's talk about --

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Your elections in this country -- we're like a third world country. Your elections are crooked, and you're crooked. And Meet the Press is crooked. And so is ABC, and CBS, and CNN.

WELKER: But Mr. President --

TRUMP: You're one-sided crooked network. So, let's call it quits, because I've had enough. Thank you, darling. Have a good day.

WELKER: Mr. President, let's -- please, I traveled all the way to Wisconsin.

TRUMP: I've sat in the rain with you.

WELKER: I traveled all -- I know. I traveled all the way to Wisconsin.

TRUMP: I've sat in the rain with you for an hour, on and off in the rain, and I've given you enough time. You ought to straighten out your press, because you know what?

WELKER: Mr. President --

TRUMP: Our country can never be great with a dishonest press.

WELKER: Listen, we traveled all the way to Wisconsin for this interview.

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BROWN: So, clearly a lot going on there, Brian. Help us understand what led up to that moment.

STELTER: It's one of the most heated endings to an interview with President Trump I've ever seen. Yes, there was an issue with the rain. It had been raining on the roof of this barn that they were sitting in, so Trump was distracted by the rain. It made the production of the interview a little bit harder. He said afterwards he was angry because of the rain, but he was clearly also angry at Welker's questions.

And this gets to the difference between accessibility and accountability. President Trump is very accessible. He answers questions from the press all the time, but that's not always the same as accountability. When he's talking with his daughter-in-law on Fox News or he's answering one or two questions on the phone to a reporter who calls him, there's not the same form of accountability that you see in a sit-down television interview.

With Kristen Welker, she was asking specific questions that were trying to hold the president accountable, and he kept repeating conspiracy theories with no basis in reality. He talked about the January 6th rioters being -- having their lives destroyed by the government. He talked about California elections being rigged, for which there is no evidence.

And Welker kept asking a simple question, where's the evidence for those claims? Daniel Dale, our fact checker here at CNN, has said those claims are just straight-up lies. There is no evidence for them. Trump did not like that accountability, right? He's happy to be accessible, but he doesn't want to be accountable, and so that's why he walked off. He even took off the microphone. You could hear him stepping on the microphone there.

Notably, however, he did talk to Welker the next day, and he committed to another interview with NBC. So, that really speaks to the president's desire to be on camera, to be the center of attention. But like I said, Pam and Wolf, he doesn't want to be held accountable, and that's why he went back to those usual insults and smears when he was asked for evidence of his conspiracy theories.

BLITZER: Yes, good analysis.

BROWN: A fair question.

BLITZER: Yes. Brian Stelter, thank you very, very much.

BROWN: All right. Just ahead here in The Situation Room, caught on camera, a high-speed chase ends in a crash in Arkansas. What troopers found outside that wreck will likely shock you. That story just ahead.

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