Return to Transcripts main page

The Situation Room

U.S. Official: Looking into Report Iran Hit Vessel in Strait; Wimbledon Court Experience Comes to NYC Ahead of Tournament; Inside Look at Buffalo Bills' New Highmark Stadium. Aired 11:30-12p ET

Aired June 26, 2026 - 11:30   ET

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

[11:30:00]

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now in California, the federal trial of the man accused of starting the devastating Palisades fires is at a total standstill right now. The jury just told the judge they are completely deadlocked on all three charges. Jonathan Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty. Jurors are scheduled to return to court next hour for further instructions. But if they can't break this current deadlock, there could potentially be a mistrial.

Today, the Republican-led Board of Education in another story we're following. That Board of Education in Texas is voting on a proposal to require more than 5 million public school students in Texas to learn Bible stories. The measure would affect students from kindergarten through high school. Supporters say these lessons are key to understanding Western history, but critics warn the move blurs the constitutional boundary between church and state.

Also, in Texas, a massive plane flies just feet above a runway. We got the video. It shows the giant Boeing 777 flying over the runway at the private Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport with its landing gear raised. According to tracking data, the plane dropped to about 100 feet above the ground when it passed over. It's owned by a company that converts the planes into cargo freighters. The FAA is looking into the incident right now.

And happening now, a U.S. official says they are aware of reports that Iran struck a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday and are looking into that issue. The incident forced the United Nations to pause its mission to evacuate ships stuck in the waterway. Iran has not claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Revolutionary Guard in Iran has warned that safe passage would only be granted if ships traveled on Iranian routes. And that contradicts President Trump's claim that the Strait is open and free.

Joining us here in the Situation Room, CNN Global Affairs Analyst and former Middle East and North Africa Coordinator for the National Security Council, Brett McGurk, and CNN Military Analyst, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Cedric Leighton. Colonel Leighton, what does this latest attack tell you about who controls the Strait of Hormuz right now?

COL. CEDRIC LEIGHTON (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST AND U.S. AIR FORCE (RET.): Well, at the very least, Wolf, it's disputed. But I would say that in the aggregate, you'd have to say that the Iranians are really calling the shots, at least partially. We do know that about 70 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz just within the last 24 hours. And so, that is certainly progress in getting those ships out of the Persian Gulf and into the broader Arabian Sea and onto the Indian Ocean.

But the problem is that Iran, whenever they want to, can still shut off that traffic, that flow of traffic. And that basically means that they still have a degree of de facto control over the Strait.

BLITZER: As you know, Brett, Iran has not claimed responsibility for shooting at that ship that was going through the Strait of Hormuz.

[11:35:00]

But assuming that the sources are correct, then it was Iran that launched that attack. What does that tell you about Iran's message right now?

BRETT MCGURK, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST AND FORMER MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA COORDINATOR, NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL: Well, I think we can assume it was Iran. You know, Wolf, international diplomacy, it's often you're trying to keep plates spinning on a pole, like one of those magicians. That's what I see happening now. But I see four unsustainable gaps in this deal.

One is the Strait of Hormuz. We say it's wide open. The Iranians are saying, nope, only our lane is open. And it had a ship struck just yesterday. Second are sanctions. President Trump said we're going to issue oil waivers, but the money will go into an escrow account, as he did in Venezuela. Actually, the waivers lift sanctions broader than even the Obama-era JCPOA. Frozen funds. We have said these funds will be released for the benefit of American farmers and soybeans. And the Iranians have said, absolutely not. That's not what the deal says.

And then finally, Lebanon. We've said there's a ceasefire in Lebanon. The rules are very unclear. Hezbollah appears to be moving back into southern Lebanon, where a ceasefire in 2024 said they could not go. And you have meetings ongoing in the State Department today. We hope they go well.

But all these inconsistencies, Wolf, I see it's going to be very hard to keep these plates spinning unless we're able to resolve this. There's always -- the Iranians are going to say things for their domestic audience, but these are fundamental substantive gaps, and they're playing out in the Strait of Hormuz with drones hitting ships.

BLITZER: How do you anticipate the Trump administration reacting to this?

LEIGHTON: Well, they have several choices. They could do nothing, which is in many cases a likely course of action nowadays. They could respond by some degree of force. They could reinstitute sanctions. They could do any one of those things. I think what they will try to do is they will try to warn Iran, at least privately, that the Iranians can't be shooting at vessels anymore and that there would be consequences. That would be a likely scenario. The problem is, you know, it might not be made public enough, and in some cases it's necessary to make these things public in order to have the full effect of deterrence.

BLITZER: And I'm wondering what you think, Brett. Can this incident undermine the nuclear deal that the U.S. and Iran have been working on?

MCGURK: Well, yes, this is all about trying to get to that final nuclear deal, and let's all hope this succeeds. I mean, I hope the leaders we're dealing with in Iran now, Ghalibaf and others, have actually, they're ready to turn a new relationship with the U.S. They're showing no signs of that.

And even on the nuclear deal, Wolf, we have said inspectors will be coming back into Iran. We announced that. And yet the head of the IAEA is saying these talks have really just begun. So, are the inspectors going back? What can they do? A lot of very open questions here.

There's a lot of diplomacy going on. We have some time. But Iran in its actions and its words are showing that they are really not on the same page as the United States.

BLITZER: It's interesting because sources are telling us that a four- star U.S. Army general, Chris Donahue, is stepping down from his post after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not promote him for a new job consistent with his rank. You're a military guy. What's your reaction to this?

LEIGHTON: Well, it's very disappointing to see that there are a lot of senior military officers who are being forced out for what seems to be, at least on the surface, unexplained reasons. In the past when somebody like Dick Cheney, when he was secretary of defense, when he fired the Air Force chief of staff, you knew exactly why he was doing that. And Gates -- Secretary Gates fired another Air Force chief of staff. So, I was familiar with both of those cases being an Air Force person.

The problem in this particular situation is there's a message that is being sent to the force that even if you are really good, if you are a real warrior --

BLITZER: And he was a rising star, very popular.

LEIGHTON: Absolutely. General Donahue was absolutely a rising star. He was commander of -- in the past had been commander of Delta Force. He was the last soldier to leave Afghanistan when the Afghanistan withdrawal occurred. And it is -- you know, he has done things that, you know, really the epitome of what an officer should aspire to do. He has done special operations. He's done conventional operations.

And someone like that, those kinds of talents are not just military talents, but they're also diplomatic talents. And to lose those kinds of talents is, you know, something that is going to really impact the quality of the force going forward. And it really needs to stop.

BLITZER: And it will affect morale, too.

LEIGHTON: Absolutely.

BLITZER: All right. Guys, thank you very much. Colonel Cedric Leighton, Brett McGurk, always good to get your expertise. Appreciate it very much.

And coming up, pristine grass in the world's biggest stadium snow melter. We're taking you inside the Buffalo Bills brand-new home with a man who designed it. We'll give you a sneak peek of this spectacular Highmark Stadium in beautiful Buffalo, New York. When we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:40:00]

BLITZER: Now, to a Situation Room exclusive. Wimbledon fever is taking over Manhattan. Starting today, Americans will have a unique opportunity to experience the iconic English tennis tournament. The famous Wollman Rink in Central Park will transform into a pop-up grass court. And give some fans a chance to test their skills on grass.

Later today, some of the sport's biggest stars take to the court at a friendly invitational to open the four-day celebration. Including my next guest, the tennis legend and 1992 Wimbledon champion, Andre Agassi. Andre, thanks very much for joining us. So, tell our viewers what we can expect today.

ANDRE AGASSI, FORMER PRO TENNIS PLAYER AND EIGHT-TIME GRAND SLAM TENNIS CHAMPION: Oh, thanks, Wolf. It's good to be with you. You know, it's an exciting day. I mean, you got Wimbledon come meet the U.S. Open in between. Putting the grass court down here. Right here in Central Park. You can't probably see it in the frame, but all the big buildings and beautiful skylines behind us, it's quite an environment.

[11:45:00]

And we're going to get out there and play a little exhibition and start a four-day activation to get people, you know, interested in experiencing the game on a different surface. That they're not used to over here on this side of the pond.

BLITZER: So, this year, fans will get to experience all the excitement. With a grass court maintained by Wimbledon's ground staff. How different is play on that kind of turf and how does it shift your strategy?

AGASSI: Oh, that's a long-winded answer on all the nuances of what grass does. But it's definitely a lower bounce. It's definitely a faster bounce. It's definitely a more careful movement. Just because your first step can't be too aggressive.

But with that being said, we're at a point now, which is quite amazing, where they can put -- they put down this grass court in 48 hours. I mean, they can synthetically now build this grass and grow this grass behind the scenes. And basically, sort of implant it anywhere they want. So, a lot of implications to how this might bring more grass court tennis to public facilities across America and spread the game.

And, you know, it's awesome. Because Ralph Lauren has been a great sponsor of tennis, of Wimbledon, of the U.S. Open. And they've partnered with making this all happen. And tennis wins as a result.

BLITZER: It certainly does. As a former Wimbledon champ, Andre. What does it mean to have fans in the United States experience the tournament like this?

AGASSI: Yes, it's so different, you know. I mean, so many people, certainly in this part of the country. Get the experience of going to the U.S. Open, which is quite the scene. It's almost like the tennis match is a sideshow until it turns into something pretty -- you know, until it turns into warrior stuff, you know.

But in England, it's so proper. It's so green. It's so quiet. You can't even hear the ball bounce. So, there's a whole different sense of nerves. But playing on grass is a whole different experience in some ways. For an amateur, it's easier on the body. Because it's softer on the legs. But the better you get at playing really well on grass, the lower you have to be. The harder it is to move.

So, it's a challenge. But it's a fun part of the game. And certainly a strong history. It's the Augusta of tennis. And if a tennis player could pick only one Grand Slam to win, I would say, you know, 95 percent of them would say Wimbledon.

BLITZER: The tournament gets underway on Monday in New York, where you are. And Serena Williams will play her first singles match as a wild card against 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia. What is your reaction to her return to the game?

AGASSI: Oh, I think it's amazing. I think it's a win for the sport. I mean, Serena, she's a doll. I've enjoyed my time of getting to not just see her play, but be around her and experience her personality and her gift that, you know, she brings on and off the court.

So, you know, for me now, watching her come back, I think success is defined by her living her best life. And if that's where she wants to be and challenge herself in a new season in life, a new chapter in life, then she certainly deserves that opportunity.

BLITZER: And we're just getting -- I just wanted to get your reaction to some sad news. We have learned that the Tennis Hall of Famer, Chris Everett, says she will miss Wimbledon after recurrence of ovarian cancer. It's sad to even have to report that. We love Chris Everett. But give us your reaction.

AGASSI: Wolf, I can't do that. Wolf, I'm sorry. I know Chris, and my prayers and heart is with her.

BLITZER: And we wish her a speedy recovery. It's obviously a very sad development indeed. All right. Andre, thanks very much. Enjoy New York while you're there and we'll stay in touch. AGASSI: Thank you, Wolf. Good talking to you.

BLITZER: Are you going to come to Washington at the end of July for the U.S. Tennis here? My good friend Mark Ein has organized it.

AGASSI: Yes, fair enough. I've played that tournament 21 straight years. It's the only way to win it five times. But I can't say that my schedule ever works out where at the beginning of the summer I can actually make it there. It's not easy. But no, I probably won't be there this year.

BLITZER: All right. Too bad. I would have liked to have watched some tennis with you. All right. Andre, thank you very, very much. Good to have you in the Situation Room.

AGASSI: Thank you, Wolf. Good to talk to you.

BLITZER: And we'll be right back with more news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:50:00]

BLITZER: New this morning, this is the newest class of bomb-sniffing dogs to graduate from the National Canine Academy at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Most of these dogs will deploy to support security at the World Cup. We wish them the best of luck as they help keep players and fans safe.

Also happening now, Buffalo Bills fans are gearing up for a thrilling 2026 season as the Bills christen the brand-new Highmark Stadium in Buffalo. Officials cut the ribbon outside the $2 billion open-air venue on Tuesday, and it features, get this, advanced heating and wind-reducing technology to give the other teams a fighting chance. Buffalo's new crown jewel is already getting high praise, a lot of it, including from sports analyst Pat McAfee.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAT MCAFEE, SPORTS ANALYST: I love what they did up there. I can't wait to see if the Buffalo Bills can win them a Super Bowl for this new stadium. I can't wait to see if Josh Allen's able to get the job done. Those fans showed up in a big way for this team for a long time, and I love that they're getting rewarded for it, A.J., and that place looks spectacular.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: I'm joined now by Frank Cravata, senior vice president of design for the Buffalo Bills. Frank, thanks very much for joining us. Thanks for all you're doing. Take us through your design process for Highmark, this new stadium in my hometown of Buffalo, New York. How did you approach this with the Bills' mafia, like me, the Bills' mafia, the fans, in mind?

[11:55:00] FRANK CRAVOTTA, SENIOR VP OF DESIGN, BUFFALO BILLS: Well, you know, we're in year four. It's been quite a ride, Wolf, and we're really excited. As you can see behind me, we're really moving close to completion here, and it's a lot about the sound, a lot about the systems and the audio and the visuals. So, we hope that it's going to be the largest stadium in the league.

BLITZER: It's really a beautiful stadium. We have just seen the video. I haven't been inside yet, but I hope to be there many, many times. You built this stadium to withstand what often is some tough weather in western New York and Buffalo. What are some of the key design features you put forward?

CRAVOTTA: Well, our building is designed to break the wind coming off of Lake Erie. So, if you've been here, I'm sure you know that wind can be brutal at times. So, really what the systems allow us to do is to weaken the wind and really flow over the top of the building that you see behind me and then flow through. So, those old wind patterns where we kind of cycle through hopefully are gone now, and the cantilever roof that comes over the top will protect about 65 percent of our fan from snow and rain.

BLITZER: During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Bills' chief operating officer, Pete Guelli, told CNN affiliate, WKBW, that efforts are underway to host major events outside of the NFL. What was that part of that? What role did that play in your initial vision for this new stadium?

CRAVOTTA: Yes. Obviously, we're a hockey town, too, right? So, hockey is first and foremost concerts, friendlies for soccer. Those types of things we're really looking forward to. We wanted to leave this field pristine, though, for the opening night coming not too long from now. So, we held off on any other events for this first season, but we'll kick into high gear next year.

BLITZER: What have you heard from my Bills Mafia fans about what a new stadium actually winds up meaning to Buffalo?

CRAVOTTA: Well, you know, we had a great stadium and we had it for a very long time. And so, the leap that we're taking from the old stadium across the street into this incredible new facility is a jump that really teams don't make. Usually, you would rebuild or refresh after 10, 20 years. It was a 50-year gap for our fans. So, they're stepping into something that's literally breathtaking. And we can't wait for those first couple of games.

BLITZER: You know, it's interesting because a lot of fans thought that the new stadium would be domed, would be covered, given all the snow and other features that develop in Buffalo. What happened with the dome?

CRAVOTTA: Well, Mr. Pegula, the owner, said two things. It's played on natural grass. This is a natural grass field behind me. And it's played in the elements. So, our field is designed to take in and deal with all of the snow. And that our fans, believe it or not, a lot of them chose, even with the cantilever roof, they chose to sit in the loader bowl beside me because they love that weather.

So, we try to do the best of both worlds. We're covering a lot of our fans. We're bringing a lot of comforts that didn't exist at the old stadium. And we have this super high-tech field behind me that can melt the snow, can drain the rain, and protect our players, too.

BLITZER: I'm really looking forward to coming out to that stadium. Before I let you go, very quickly, what's your prediction for our season, the 2026 season that's upcoming?

CRAVOTTA: You know, we have the best player in the league, no doubt about it in my opinion. So, the sky's the limit, and our home field advantage that we had in the past we're just taking it up a notch. So, good luck playing in Buffalo.

BLITZER: You're talking about the big, beautiful Bill. That would be Josh Allen, as we all know. All right. Frank Cravotta, thanks for all you've done. Thanks very much for joining us. And as I always say, go, Bills.

But before we --

CRAVOTTA: Go Bills. Thank you.

BLITZER: Yes, go Bills indeed. Before we go, I just want to take a quick moment to highlight the First Amendment. Last night I was recognized at the Freedom Forum's Free Expression Awards event here in Washington, honoring champions of freedom of speech. After receiving the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in Media, I spoke about the importance of being a journalist.

And when the founder of CNN, Ted Turner, first hired me, I recalled, he told me not to include personal opinions on the news, just report it fairly and accurately. That's something that I and everyone here at CNN, we continue to do every single day.

Also honored last night, by the way, a former CNN colleague of mine, the Nobel Laureate --

[12:00:00]