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The Situation Room

Three Vessels Struck Near Strait of Hormuz; Evacuations Underway After Reports of Falling Debris from NYC Building; Team USA's Run Ends with a 4-1 Loss to Belgium. Aired 11:30-12p ET

Aired July 07, 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]

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: One U.S. official I spoke to said what Iran did today is a gross violation of the Memorandum of Understanding, this person calling it illogical. Someone else I spoke to said Iran clearly trying to flex its muscles right now. As you know, the negotiations are on pause due to the funeral of the former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

But right now, Iran is using this time clearly to be provocative. In fact, the view from the U.S. officials I've been speaking to is that this is the most provocative Iran has been since that memorandum was put in place in mid-June.

Now, we know there have been skirmishes. In fact, after the memorandum was signed, Iran struck a vessel from Singapore, as we know, and in response to striking that vessel in the street, CENTCOM did respond with a retaliation against Iranian targets. Now, I'm told with what happened today with these three vessels that did sustain damage, no casualties, that right now the U.S. military is weighing its options and deciding how to proceed, what to do.

And, as you know, Wolf, the USS Abraham Lincoln has been a central platform since this conflict began. It's been here since the very beginning. It has offensive capability, defensive capability. So, we will have to wait and see what CENTCOM decides in terms of responding to these attacks by the Iranians today right near where we are here.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: And there are, what, about 5,400 sailors and marines aboard the Abraham Lincoln where you are right now, and they've been at sea now for quite a while. I suspect you've spoken to some of them right now. What's the mood that you're seeing?

BROWN: Well, listen, they -- a lot of them have been on board this ship since last November. It was sent to the Indo-Pacific and then came here in the Arabian Sea in theater late January, and then was part of the first wave of strikes against Iran in February. They've been working around the clock, but there's certainly a level of professionalism and still high morale from the folks I spoke to. They really feel like their job here is important, protecting freedom and democracy. And, clearly, this is still ongoing, Wolf.

As you know, an aircraft carrier, a big part of it is to launch flights. It's a floating airport, essentially, and we're here on the hangar. And you can see behind me here, there's F-18s, F-35s. These are some of the planes that have been used in the conflict to actually drop the bombs on Iranian targets.

So, what happens here, if I'll have John, my photojournalist, go over here, this is, they can put these planes, once they become operational again after some maintenance, on what's called an elevator, and then it'll bring up to the flight deck just above. So, it's pretty incredible, the capabilities here.

And then once it's on the flight deck, the flight deck itself is only four and a half acres. So, they use a catapult and working with the wind and the propulsions from the nuclear reactors to, for the flights to be able to take off. And they've been very busy. I mean, they have been able to have the flights take off every 15 to 20 seconds during really active times. And so, where we are right here is where that maintenance takes place.

But you have to think, Wolf, we're out in the middle of the Arabian Sea, it's not so easy to just quickly do maintenance. They have to have ships brought in to bring parts for these planes and helicopters and so forth. So, it's really a logistical complex environment, but they are still doing their best. And they say that they are still very ready, they're at a readiness state because of the ongoing escalations and tensions here where we are.

BLITZER: The aircraft carrier you're on right now is part of the U.S. Navy's fifth fleet in the Arabian Sea where you are. The sixth fleet is in the Mediterranean off the coast of Israel and Lebanon around there. And it is very significant right now where you are because the Strait of Hormuz has become such a huge issue in this war with Iran.

Give us a little sense of what the sailors, the Marines you're hearing from about what the U.S. potentially down the road could be doing with the enormous aircraft power, the capability that you've eyewitnessed.

BROWN: When you were just talking, Wolf, about President Trump being in Turkey for the NATO Summit and the Strait of Hormuz and security of the Strait is, of course, a priority according to officials we've been speaking to. And so, you have the policy aspect of this right from the administration, but then you have the service members, the people who are here on the ships carrying out the orders.

And they don't know how long they're going to be here at sea. As I said, many of them have been here since November. And given the fact that there was just escalations today with Iran striking the three vessels, they could really be here for a long time. I mean, this aircraft carrier is central. It also has three destroyers that are part of its strike force.

And so, it's a big part of the Navy's ability to be lethal in this war and to retaliate if need be or have defensive capabilities to guard against drones. We know that the Iranians have been using different kinds of drones in this war, Shahed drones, to name one.

[11:35:00] In fact, early on, even before the war really started, the USS Abraham Lincoln fended off a Shahed drone. So, they could be in here for the long haul because the Strait of Hormuz is so critical. Before the war, it had about 20 percent of the world's oil going through. And after the war, there was really this crisis in the global oil supply. And so, that is why the administration has been so focused on trying to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

And the Iranians don't like that. As one official told me, the Iranians are trying to show that they have ownership of the Strait, although it's viewed as international waters. And even though this other route was opened by Oman, the Iranians don't like that. And the IRGC even said this past Sunday through the state media that it was sending boats, its Navy boats, to that area to try to block the Omani route that had been opened up.

So, as I said, even though there is this memorandum of understanding in place, the Strait of Hormuz is still not fully open for business, although traffic has picked up. I mean, last weekend, there was a little over 100 vessels that did go through the Strait of Hormuz. Before the war, there was around 100 a day that was going through.

So, traffic has picked up, but you do have to wonder what today's actions will mean for further maritime transport, particularly through that route near the Oman coast.

BLITZER: In the past few days, Pamela, I've had a chance to speak with diplomats from several key U.S. allies in the Gulf area where you are right now, whether in Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar. And all of them have been basically attacked in recent weeks by Iranian drone missiles or ballistic missiles. And they're relying on the U.S. to help them in this process.

So, what are you hearing about stepped-up efforts to make sure that these U.S. allies in the Gulf area where you are right now, who play a really significant role in the U.S. military's central command, are not going to have to deal with these Iranian incoming rockets and missiles and drone strikes?

BROWN: And of course, that is viewed by the U.S. officials I've been speaking with, that activity that you mentioned as a violation of the memorandum of understanding. What I'm told, Wolf, as I walk around here in this hangar with you, see some of the sailors behind me and some of these planes that are to have maintenance soon and then become operational.

But what I'm told is just today, Wolf, with these three ships that were damaged, that the allies here in the area had jumped in to help. So, again, no casualties, but they did jump in to try to help with the crews that were on these vessels that were struck and tried to give them a safe haven. So, they're all working together right now, basically in the face of the Iranians' provocation with these strikes, Wolf.

BLITZER: Earlier this year, and as you just alluded to this, Pamela, CNN reported that the aircraft carrier you're on right now, the Abraham Lincoln, shot down an incoming Iranian drone that, quote, aggressively approached the ship in the Arabian Sea. How does the carrier detect and thwart these sorts of incoming threats from Iran?

BROWN: Yes. So, that's a big part of what this carrier does. So, as I mentioned earlier, it has the F-18s, the F-35s, the Growlers. They all play an important role, and they take off the flight deck right above me. And not only do they have the ability to launch strikes, but they also do surveillance. And so, a big part of their jobs are not only to do surveillance, but also of the Strait of Hormuz to make sure traffic is going by, but also to look out for any drones or any potential threats.

In addition, you have those three destroyers I mentioned, and the destroyers are really the tip of the spear. The destroyers are meant to protect this aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln I'm on right now. And so, a big role for these destroyers, and hopefully we'll be able to get on one, we'll see, is to detect those drones or let the aircraft carrier know that there is a drone threat so that it can be mitigated.

Now, I was told recently, since a memorandum of understanding, that the drone threat, at least to this aircraft carrier, has not been as big of an issue as it was earlier on in the war. But certainly, that is a big part of modern warfare and something that these crew members are still on high alert for.

BLITZER: Pamela Brown, aboard the U.S. aircraft carrier, the Abraham Lincoln, in the Arabian Sea right now, not far from the Straits of Hormuz, and she'll have reports throughout this week from aboard the Abraham Lincoln and other military areas in that area. Just stay safe out there, Pamela, and we'll be in close touch with you. Thank you very, very much.

BROWN: Thank you.

BLITZER: And I want to get back to the other breaking news we're following. At any moment now, we're expecting a formal news conference from officials in New York City. The columns in a Manhattan high-rise have buckled, forcing evacuations in other nearby buildings as well. We're going to bring you that news conference live as soon as it begins.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:40:00]

BLITZER: The breaking news from New York City right now. A high-rise building in Midtown Manhattan has buckled columns and falling debris, prompting officials to evacuate nearby buildings as well.

[11:45:00]

CNN's Danny Freeman is following the latest developments for us. I know there's a news conference coming up in a few minutes, Danny, but update our viewers on what we're learning. DANNY FREEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And we actually have new reporting from Gloria Pazmino, who's on the scene there, saying that Mayor Zohran Mamdani will also now be in attendance for that news conference that's expected to get kicked off now at noon, and there's an interagency meeting about to begin with all relevant agencies responding to this incident.

So, Wolf, to catch our viewers up here, we're talking about a building, a high-rise building in Midtown Manhattan on 42nd Street on the east side of Manhattan that's very close to the United Nations, not far from Grand Central Station. So, an incredibly highly populated part of the city. A number of buildings in the area, including a school with 400 children, have been evacuated.

But, Wolf, I want to talk about the video that's on your screen because this is exactly the concern that officials were talking about when they're talking about structural issues inside of that building. Again, our reporter, Gloria Pazmino, on the scene there spoke to Segundo Chauca (ph), who says that he's worked on the site for more than a year. He took this video today. He said he was working on the eighth floor of the building this morning, and they were evacuated shortly before 8:00 a.m.

And you can see what appears to be buckling of beams inside of that building. And, again, Wolf, this is on, reportedly, the eighth floor. The mayor was mentioning structural damage all the way as high as the 21st floor. So, concerning video that we've obtained from the scene there, that worker also noting that all their belongings remain inside of the building, including backpacks and personal effects. The main message from first responders when they evacuated people from that building was just get out of the building because, at the moment, it is not safe.

Wolf, city officials saying that there were multiple cracks and sagging floors found inside of that building as well. Here's the good news, though, for the moment. No injuries have been reported, and all of the workers who were working inside of that building were accounted for.

But, again, like I said, Wolf, this is a highly populated area. Other buildings in that area have also been evacuated. It seems that many have been evacuated even in the past few hours.

But I want you to take a listen to how the FDNY was reporting to this scene earlier this morning. We have some of that radio broadcast.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 790, at this time, Ladder 2, rescue 1 and squad 18 are operating on floors 21 and 22 assessing the situation with the collapsed column. The construction company has done a roll call. All construction workers are accounted for at this time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FREEMAN: All right. So, again, Wolf, you can hear that there is definitely urgency in that call, and you can see from these pictures on the ground a very, very active scene in a very, very busy part of Manhattan. Again, we're looking forward to a news conference starting at noon, approximately, that will feature the mayor of New York City, Mayor Mamdani. Wolf.

BLITZER: And the FDNY, the Fire Department of New York, will also be at that news conference. Have they given us any idea at all what potentially could have caused all of this to happen?

FREEMAN: No, frankly, Wolf. At this point, we're still trying to understand what might have caused something like this to happen. I mean, this is a major issue if there's this sort of structural issues inside of this building. As far as we understand, this was the former Pfizer headquarters, Wolf, and the building is currently being converted into apartments in the area. So, it has been under construction, it seems, at least from that eyewitness account that took that video that we've been showing on your screen right there for a little bit of time now.

But again, as to what may have caused this structural damage and challenges there in that building, that's hopefully going to be part of the answers that we're looking to see if we can get from city officials when that news conference begins at around noon today, Wolf.

BLITZER: And for those of us who know New York City, this structure, this building is very close to the United Nations there, right?

FREEMAN: Yes. So, again, just to orient our viewers, this building is at 235 East 42nd Street. That is in between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. The United Nations, again, just about a block away on 1st Avenue right there. And then in the other direction, it's interesting, we've been seeing a lot of the pictures from the scene, the Chrysler building, a major U.S., United States and, of course, New York City landmark, just a block and a half away, and then Grand Central just a few blocks away as well.

So, you can imagine, Wolf, especially since the mayor said this incident began around 8:00 this morning with the FDNY getting reports of bricks falling off of the building, this is a major commuter area as well, a lot of office buildings, a lot of apartment buildings. This is not a quiet, sleepy part of Manhattan or New York City by any stretch of the imagination.

And again, you can see it with the amount of attention that is being taken to evacuate so many buildings in the area, including, Wolf, again, as the mayor noted, a school that had about 400 children inside of that school earlier this morning.

[11:50:00]

They're taking every precaution right now just because, again, you don't often see a high rise in Manhattan with buckling like we've seen in some of these videos and images so far, Wolf.

BLITZER: All right. Very worrisome development indeed. All right. Danny Freeman, we'll be in touch with you. We'll stand by for this news conference and much more coming up right after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: World Cup dreams dashed after the U.S. men's national team lost to Belgium. This was the only goal the U.S. scored last night.

[11:55:00]

Belgium clearly dominated, scoring twice in the first half and exploiting a series of defensive mistakes in a four-to-one knockout win. The loss comes on the heels of FIFA's controversial decision to delay a red card suspension for one of the Team USA star players.

Joining us now, CNN contributor and co-host of the flagrant and funny podcast, Cari Champion. Cari, thanks so much for joining us. First of all, what's your read on President Trump's inserting himself into all of this?

CARI CHAMPION, CNN CONTRIBUTOR AND CO-HOST, "FLAGRANT AND FUNNY" PODCAST: You know, from my understanding, he did make a phone call. The president is known for suggesting that he has influence in every realm, including sports, and we've seen this before. Just recently going to the finals and the NBA finals, no sitting president has ever done that.

However, in this particular case, I think there's a lot of mixed emotions because even Flo himself, Flo Baligan, who got the red card, said he understood why he received a flag, but he would have taken a yellow card, which wouldn't have suspended him for the game against Belgium.

The president inserting himself, the read is, well, that's not necessarily fair. The rules don't go that way. But by history, and you know this well, FIFA isn't known for following the rules. There's been many allegations against this organization for not necessarily playing fair and being corrupt. So, they also gave the president, as you know, ahead of the World Cup, a FIFA World Peace Prize.

So, I feel as if he had influence going in, he being the president, going into this, and a simple phone call only made it easier for him to get Flo back out there to play in that match.

BLITZER: After their win, after the win, Belgium posted to their X account, the message read this, overturn this. Did the controversy, you think, fuel Belgium's victory?

CHAMPION: I definitely think they were going in with a chip on their shoulder in the sense that they thought it was unfair, because as you know, they tried to appeal that process, which was again denied. But Belgium, if you just want to, just in simple pure sports terms, they played better. You talked about they were able to exploit more differences. I mean, defense problems, the issues in which we had on the U.S. men's national team.

And this is one of these situations where you just got to be honest. They were a better team. They played better. And that was the end of the story. I definitely believe they came into this match feeling that it was unfair. And a lot of what we saw, I think, in terms of how our players handled this, they were just top notch. They were class acts all the way.

Flo didn't, you know, brag about it. He said he was grateful. He was happy that they overturned the decision. They didn't lean on the fact that it was that America was the host country and that they knew the president would step in. They were very, very understanding of why some people would be upset and what it looked like on the outside. And so, I think overall, the men handled it well. But unfortunately, that didn't translate into a win.

BLITZER: The World Cup, I think it's fair to say, has certainly felt like a breakthrough for soccer in the United States. Did last night's loss, do you think, change that?

CHAMPION: You know, I think it's been bubbling, if I'm going to be honest with you. I think when Messi, who obviously plays for the Argentinian team and they are the defending world champions here. I think when Messi came to Miami to play, I think that that started this slow movement into soccer that really put it on the international stage and on the national stage for us, making it much more popular.

I don't necessarily believe what happened last night stopped that momentum. In fact, I think the momentum, as you see, if you go around the bars and watch people talk about it, this is an everyday conversation. It's in the zeitgeist, if you will. I think that we have celebrated soccer in such a way as being this host country that we've made it much more interesting and that I feel it won't be considered the other football, if you will.

BLITZER: On your most recent podcast, you and your colleague, Jemele Hill, talked about Norway standout player Erling Haaland. I want to play a little bit of that. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEMELE HILL: I also watched the Norway game. Because Norway advanced --

CHAMPION: I like that guy.

HILL: The -- with the long hair?

CHAMPION: Yes.

HILL: The long blonde hair?

CHAMPION: Erling Haaland.

HILL: Yes.

CHAMPION: And he has a lot of --

HILL: Man, he was killing it.

CHAMPION: -- Hermes bags. Erling Haaland, he's really cute, huh?

HILL: Yes.

CHAMPION: In a weird way. He looks like --

HILL: Not that weird. He's that, like, very chiseled, like, modeling kind of looks.

CHAMPION: No, but he's weird though. He's weird. He's weird looking. Like, it's a weird --

HILL: But it's doing something for you.

CHAMPION: It's doing something for me. It's the weirdness. It's the way he --

HILL: He's a hell of a player.

CHAMPION: He is.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: What do you think what do you think it is about Haaland that has certainly captured the world's attention?

CHAMPION: You know, he has, first of all, at 25 years old, 6'5", 209, at least that's what's listed for him, he is a striking player. If you see someone like that with that blonde icy hair walking down the street, you know something doesn't feel right. He often makes fun of himself and says that he has a weird look, and people enjoy it.

[12:00:00]