Return to Transcripts main page

What We Know with Max Foster

Trump Meting With National Security Advisers; IDF: Iran Has Launched New Wave Of Missiles Toward Israel; Trump's Situation Room Meeting Has Ended; Immigration Raids To Resume At Farms, Hotels, Restaurants. Aired 3- 4p ET

Aired June 17, 2025 - 15:00   ET

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

[15:00:14]

MAX FOSTER, CNN HOST: Israel says it's identified incoming Iranian missiles as explosions have been heard in Tehran as well. The Iran-Israel conflict

is in its fifth day now.

This is WHAT WE KNOW.

The Israel Defense Forces say they have identified a new wave of incoming missiles. They're far from Iran. Sirens going off in different parts of the

country, primarily in the north and Haifa. Authorities are urging the public to stay in those areas to take cover.

It comes as President Trump is meeting there at the White House with top security advisers and a fresh wave of Israeli attacks on Iran.

That follows a warning from Iran promising a new wave of fierce attacks in the hours ahead in Israel.

Earlier, videos on social media that have been geolocated by CNN appeared to show Iranian missiles hitting near a military site in central Israel

there.

Meanwhile, in the midst of Israeli attacks, many people are fleeing the Iranian capital. It's gridlock there in many places. One person says their

house was bombed and everyone they know has left the city.

Straight to our Jeremy Diamond in Tel Aviv.

A sense of trepidation at this moment, Jeremy.

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Certainly. Well, we just got the latest wave of Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at northern Israel.

Israeli air defenses acting to try and intercept them. We don't yet have a complete report of whether or not any of those got through, whether there

have been any casualties or whether they were all intercepted.

But it certainly comes as we have watched over the course of the last 24 hours, as Iran's ability to fire large waves of ballistic missiles at

Israel appears to have been significantly degraded. And that's according not only to Israeli military officials we've spoken with, but also

independent analysts at the institute for the study of war who have said that it appears that Israeli attacks on those ballistic missile launch

sites inside of Iran have indeed degraded Iran's ability to fire large numbers of these ballistic missiles at once.

And indeed, the Israeli military telling us that in just their latest wave of attacks in Iran, they are striking at 12 launch sites. And that

basically over the course of this operation, in just the last few days, the Israeli air force is claiming that they have destroyed at least a third of

Iran's ballistic missile launchers that would account for hundreds of launchers across Iran.

It appears that Iran is moving some of those launchers, or attempting to at least further east, away from western Iran, where the Israeli military has

established undoubtedly total air superiority in that area. And so, the Iranian forces appear to be trying to move them away. But the Israeli

military says they are chasing those launchers as well and intent on destroying them.

The Iranian chief of staff of their armed forces, we should note, has vowed that there will be more intense attacks against Israel, saying that they

will be punitive actions against the cities of Haifa in the north and against the city of Tel Aviv, where we are coming to. You live from right

now, remains to be seen. Whether that is simply some bellicose rhetoric, some chest thumping, if you will, or whether there is actually some real

action behind that. Given that, again, over the last 24 hours, it does appear that Iran's abilities to strike in a significant manner in Israel

have not been what they were in the first days of this back and forth between Iran and Israel -- Max.

FOSTER: What are the hopes as this security council meeting unfolds in Washington? What do they want to hear there in Israel?

DIAMOND: Well, there's certainly a lot of speculation about whether the United States might join in into Israel's attacks in Iran. We know, of

course, that it is that issue of the Fordow nuclear facility, which is buried deep beneath a mountain, that Israeli military action alone likely

cannot destroy that facility. It certainly cannot destroy it in terms of from a bombing campaign, from the air. That would require a special 30,000-

pound bomb that only the United States has in its arsenal and which it has which must be deployed using those stealth B-2 bombers which Israel does

not have in its arsenal of warplanes.

And so, we know that, as President Trump is considering that option, and he is also issuing some messages online to the Iranian leadership, to the

Iranian people, encouraging them to effectively surrender or agree to some kind of nuclear deal here. But there's no question that the option of the

United States joining in on these attacks is very much on the table, and certainly, people here in Israel are waiting to see what that decision will

be -- Max.

[15:05:07]

FOSTER: Yeah, we are waiting. Thanks, Jeremy.

A short time ago, the president gave this warning to Iran, quote, we know exactly where the so-called supreme leader is hiding. He's an easy target

but is safe there. We're not going to take him out, at least for now. Trump also saying we now have the complete and total control of the skies over

Iran.

In the last hour, we heard from the U.S. State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce. This is what she had to say about the ongoing conflict.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TAMMY BRUCE, U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON: All he wants is a peaceful world. His activity and the activity and the nature of the actions that the

-- that the United States has taken and his special envoys have been rooted in one thing, which is negotiations, looking for diplomatic solutions to

generational problems that he wants solved diplomatically. That has been his constant posture. And there has been nothing that has changed in his

what he wishes for, what he would hope to accomplish.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Well, let's go to Jeff Zeleny. He's at the White House.

I mean, quite a shift in language from the president today. So, now, we're looking at this meeting wondering what's going to come out of it.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF U.S. NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Max, that is the question. The meeting is underway. The president, of course, flew back

to Washington and the White House, leaving his colleagues at the Group of Seven meeting in in Canada a day early to have this meeting in the

Situation Room, answering the question of is the U.S. going to essentially lend its firepower to Israel in its ongoing targets of the Iranian nuclear

program? Is the U.S. going to deepen its engagement in the Middle East, another war, if you will?

And Donald Trump has long talked in opposition to that, going back to Republican and Democratic administrations alike. But there are many, many

signs the U.S. is inching closer to helping Israel deplete the Iranian nuclear program. A question is, is there an off ramp for diplomacy? Because

President Trump only a day or so again said that the Iranians still have the ability to talk to the U.S., to have negotiations to disarm.

So, it is looking that that is not a very likely scenario, but many, many questions about the U.S. and the president signing off on a deepening

engagement in the Middle East -- Max.

FOSTER: Jeff, thank you. Back with you later.

U.S. President Donald Trump skipping a key meeting, as Jeff was saying on Ukraine by leaving early from the G7 summit in Canada, Ukrainian President

Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the final day of the talks. He met with the remaining world leaders to discuss Russia's escalation in the war against

Ukraine. Zelenskyy had hoped a face-to-face meeting with Trump could help secure stronger U.S. support. Officials in Ukraine, reportedly asking for

an emergency meeting with the U.N. Security Council as well., that's according to the Ukrinform agency.

This comes as Russia's launched hundreds of drones and missiles on Kyiv overnight. That was into Tuesday. The Kyiv military administration says at

least 15 people were killed and more than 100 injured.

CNN's Clare Sebastian tells us it was the deadliest attack on the Ukrainian capital in almost a year.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: First, by its scale, the number of drones used, 440, according to Ukraine's air force, was close to a daily

record and combined with 32 missiles, a very high number, and also by the level of destruction. This was the deadliest attack on the capital Kyiv in

almost a year, according to the U.N. human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine.

Now, Russia says it was targeting military industrial facilities. But look at this the moment a drone slams into a high-rise Kyiv apartment block. And

this the aftermath of a direct hit by a Russian cruise missile on another residential building. Graphic visual reminders of why air defenses matter

so much to Ukraine.

Well, even as Russia has ramped up air attacks on Ukraine, it has not only faced no additional sanctions from the U.S., but this latest attack came

just hours after Trump told reporters at the G7 summit in Canada that it was a mistake to kick Russia out of what was then the G8 in 2014, and Trump

has left the door open to Russia's offer to mediating between Iran and Israel, a move that would allow Putin to rebrand himself as a peacemaker.

While Trump's early departure from that G7 summit also meant he skipped a planned meeting with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy, a crucial opportunity

for him to try once again to convince Trump to ramp up the pressure on Moscow.

Clare Sebastian, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Joining us, Paula Newton.

So, did Zelenskyy get what he wanted out of the meeting?

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He's certainly getting a chance to again plead his case with all the leaders there, including the NATO secretary

general.

[15:10:00]

Look, it comes after a really rough night, as Claire was just saying, for the president, understanding that Russia continues to ramp up its assaults

and those in assaults include certainly attacks on civilian areas, it is something he is trying to get across, not just to those G7 leaders and the

NATO members, but obviously he wanted to try and get that through to President Trump.

I want you to listen now, though, to Vladimir Zelenskyy speaking about what is still possible, even though President Trump has left. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: I need support from our allies, and I'm here and thank you for the military package. It's important for our

soldiers to be strong at the battlefield, to stay strong until Russia will be ready for the peace negotiations. We are ready for the peace

negotiations, unconditional ceasefire. I think it's very important. But for this we need pressure. And, of course, I want to speak with prime minister

today about sanctions, additional sanctions.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: You know, Max, when you hear him speak there, he still will have an opportunity, likely during the NATO meeting, to press his cause. What is

important now is what those NATO members can do for him. If the United States backs away, whether it's military support or also on the issue of

trying to press Russia to get to a ceasefire and that a negotiated peace agreement.

FOSTER: Okay, Paula, thank you so much for that. At least 51 Palestinians were killed and more than 200 injured by Israeli fire whilst waiting for

aid in southern Gaza. That's according to the Palestinian health ministry. The incident near Khan Younis is the deadliest reported an aid site in

weeks now. This as humanitarian groups say Gaza is nearing famine.

CNN's Paula Hancocks reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is becoming all too tragically familiar in Gaza, Palestinians desperately looking for aid, waiting for

food and then losing their lives. Now, this particular incident happened in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. The ministry of health

saying that dozens were killed and hundreds were injured by Israeli fire as they were waiting for aid trucks to arrive.

Now, they also say that this brings the total of Palestinians that were trying to secure aid being killed to almost 400 since the 11-week blockade

by Israel was lifted in May.

Now, according to the Israeli military, they say that, quote, a gathering was identified adjacent to an aid distribution truck that got stuck in the

area of Khan Younis and in proximity to IDF troops operating in the area. Now they say that they are aware of reports of injuries from IDF fire, and

that they are reviewing the situation.

Now, at this point, we have a journalist who is working with CNN, speaking to eyewitnesses on the ground. There was one mother who had sent her oldest

son to try and secure flour and food for her siblings. She said he was one of those that was killed.

So, a desperate situation for many who are already in the worst of situations, trying to find food, water for their families. Now, we heard

from the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk. He has said, quote, Israel has weaponized food and blocked life-saving aid. He urged an

immediate and impartial investigations into all of these incidents where Palestinians are killed close to a distribution sites.

Now, there is one in particular, the Gaza humanitarian foundation, which has come under a lot of criticism. This is the U.S. and Israeli backed

group, which has four different installations, four different sites across Gaza where much of the aid is going to and Palestinians have to reach those

areas to get the aid.

The U.N. and other groups have criticized this, saying that it is simply too dangerous for Palestinians to be traveling distances to try and find

aid. They're asking for more humanitarian aid to be allowed into the U.N., and those groups established on the ground so that they can actually access

those that desperately need this aid themselves.

Paula Hancocks, CNN, Abu Dhabi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: We're keeping an eye on that meeting at the White House for you. A big decision, potentially for President Trump to make about Iran.

Iran, meanwhile, warning its citizens to stop using WhatsApp and Telegram. Why the country says these apps can be dangerous for them.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:17:44]

FOSTER: Right now, President Trump meeting with his top security advisers there at the White House. The meeting comes as a wave of missiles is on its

way to Israeli targets, we're told.

Jeff is there.

I mean, this could be one of the biggest decisions of his presidency, right? He's considering what to do about Iran. He's started talking about

military action effectively.

ZELENY: Max, I think there's no question that it is one of the most consequential decisions, certainly, of the second term of President Trump,

perhaps both terms together. And here is why -- I mean, really, for the entirety of his political life over the last decade or so, President Trump

has talked extensively against occupation, engagement in the Middle East.

He believes that the United States, you know, involves itself in in too many foreign conflicts. It's the heart of his America first agenda. It's

the heart of his noninterventionist agenda.

Now, this is something altogether different. And so many questions here hanging over this meeting at this hour in the Situation Room as the

president is surrounded by his team, the vice president, the defense secretary and others, but many allies from the outside are urging President

Trump to essentially go for it.

Mike Huckabee, of course, a former Republican governor of Arkansas who's the U.S. ambassador to Israel, put out a lengthy statement earlier urging

President Trump to use the U.S. military might to help Israel obliterate the Iranian nuclear program. And he said that God saved President Trump's

life during that assassination attempt last year for this reason.

So, several other allies, Lindsey Graham and others, say that President Trump has an opportunity to do something that other presidents have not

done. But the question is, if U.S. engagement and involvement would actually. Put an end to the Iranian nuclear program, or would it simply

spark a wider conflict and war in the Middle East?

So that is something that President Trump certainly is weighing here. Also, Max, the question has Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu essentially

put President Trump in a corner or pushed him toward doing this by going at the Iranian missiles or the Iranian nuclear program on his own over these

last several days?

[15:20:12]

So this is not a position that a few weeks ago that President Trump would have liked to find himself in. But that is the position he finds himself in

now. So, we shall see what decision they make. But I would agree with you. It certainly is one of the most consequential he's been faced with.

FOSTER: Well, he was talking about being a peaceful president. And there's, you know, it's a war starting. So, it's a difficult narrative, isn't it?

But there are people talking about the attack on the nuclear bunkers to finally deal with that. And there's people talking about regime change as

well. What did you feel he meant from that comment about the ayatollah earlier?

ZELENY: It is a great question. And many of the president's social media posts are simply spouting off steam, and some are espousing policy and some

are neither and some are in the middle. So, it is unclear actually what he meant by that. But the actual bunker, so you're right, Fordow is the main

nuclear facility, and it would take the strength of the U.S. military to effectively wipe that out. Israel does not have that capability on its own.

It is unclear exactly. A regime change is something altogether different. It's hard to see how that would not fall into the category of exactly what

a Donald Trump as a private citizen and then as president, had criticized some of his predecessors for, first among them is Republican President

George W. Bush and the toppling of Saddam Hussein.

So, regime change is an entirely different question here. And there is much, much apprehension on that front -- Max.

FOSTER: I'm wondering what sort of advice he's going to be getting, particularly for military leaders, because if you take out all the politics

and all the, you know, humanitarian issues and everything that comes with this and being entrenched in something potentially longer term, presumably

the military are saying, you know, Iran has been a threat for a long time. If we are going to do something about it, now is the moment.

Do you think, I mean, what are you hearing about that side, and how do you think the president will respond to those thoughts?

ZELENY: Well, that certainly is the hawkish argument, if you will. Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime ally of the president, but also a noted hawk, if

you will. I mean, he is making that exact argument that the decision must be made fairly soon. The attack must happen now during a moment of

weakness, if you will.

But the -- it's really an open question who is providing the countervailing argument if anyone in the Situation Room. We heard from Vice President J.D.

Vance earlier effectively acknowledging the 25 years, in his view, of a foreign entanglements, but saying that the president should be trusted to

make the decision.

But, Max, never mind the geopolitics of it. And that, of course, is the most consequential. The domestic politics here in the U.S. is very

difficult for President Trump as well. He campaigned on, again, an America First agenda. And this is anything but that.

But it's hard to say exactly what the military advice he would be getting. One thing is clear. He is surrounded himself quite intentionally in this

term by people who say, yes, Mr. President, rather than a question exact strategies.

So, I would be surprised if there is any one really erasing any doubts to him, at least of his top advisers in the Situation Room.

FOSTER: Jeff, appreciate it. Back with you very soon. When we get the updates from that Iran warning citizens to stop using location-based apps

like WhatsApp and Telegram. State run media reports, Israel is using those apps to identify, track and target people for assassinations.

This comes as paranoia grows in Iran following revelations Israel's Mossad intelligence service smuggled weapons into the country. Dozens of people

have been arrested on suspicion of spying. Iran's intelligence ministry urged people to be wary of strangers wearing masks or goggles, as well as

those filming around military, industrial or residential areas.

So, what we want to know is how is Iran stopping Israeli spies?

Joining us now, Abas Aslani. He's a senior research fellow at the center for Middle East strategic studies.

Thank you so much for joining us.

I mean, it really does show how effective Mossad has been here, right? Because they are now the regimes calling out for help from the public to

try to track them down.

ABAS ASLANI, IRANIAN JOURNALIST: You know, the Israeli aggression against Iran has had, I mean, different components. One is the direct military

attacks that used by missiles or aircrafts are taking place. The second, I mean, aspect or the component is the operations being done by the

operatives inside the country. Those who are using, you know, drones or quadcopters or other, you know, bombs for explosions.

And the third aspect is the psychological warfare. So that's, you know, it's a war time condition and situation. That's why Iranian security

apparatus has been trying to focus on those who are using those drones in order to do operations from within the country. There have been workshops

or let's say, people or elements arrested or discovered within the country in order to stop that component and that aspect of the battle, which is

important.

But in the meantime, after the initial shock that Iran faced on early Friday morning, it has been trying to recover using its air defense, then

trying to get back to Israel, using its missiles in order to target sensitive areas in Israel, including an office of Mossad as well as the

military intelligence unit. I mean, Israeli military intelligence unit.

So, this back and forth between the two sides continues. But the point is that as the time goes on, it is escalating or might be expanding, which

might have, let's say, impacts far beyond the belligerents. It can impact the regional security as well as if it expands even global economy.

FOSTER: As you speak, we're hearing about explosions in other parts of Iran today. We've also got the security council meeting in the United States,

where President Trump seems to be suggesting that there's going to be direct U.S. involvement in the Israeli campaign effectively. What's the

reaction and feeling about that?

ASLANI: Well, you know, this has been the possibility from the beginning of the conflict. Iran was expecting this likelihood, but it's not certain yet.

And that's why Iran -- I was hearing from the officials that they were saying that that's one of the reasons that Iran has not come with a full

force. So far, they have kept part of their, I mean, power and force for a scenario whereby the U.S. engages in this conflict.

And the second aspect they are having in mind is that this is typical of U.S. President Donald Trump. He tries to somehow use psychological warfare

in order to impact and pressure the other parties in order to accept his terms in negotiations or any kind of political, let's say, engagement. And

in terms of the proposal being raised by Trump in order for a meeting between Iranian officials as well as his Middle East envoy or his vice

president, this is also being, you know, assessed in Iran with caution because they are saying that it is meaningless.

And it's -- it calls a surrender and the harms of a surrender. I mean, in this context would be much more than the continued military conflict

between the two sides.

FOSTER: Okay. Really appreciate your time. Abas, joining us from Tehran. Thank you.

Still to come, what kind of impact have those Israeli airstrikes had on Iran's nuclear program so far? We'll examine that straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:32:01]

FOSTER: Breaking news, then we are looking at the White House. That's where U.S. President Donald Trump, meeting with his top national security

advisers in the Situation Room as the ongoing attacks between Israel and Iran intensify, how involved will America get? That's the question we're

asking.

That meeting following some eyebrow -- follow some eyebrow-raising social media posts from the president. Whereas language really changed, including

one stating that Iran's supreme leader was an easy target. Mr. Trump also claiming that we now have complete and total control over the Iranian

skies. Note the word "we".

He warned that Iran -- warned Iran against attacking American soldiers and added, quote, our patience is wearing thin. One major uncertainty in this

conflict, exactly how many missiles does Iran have left?

Nick Paton Walsh has been taking a look at the estimated stockpiles.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): The loudest clock ticking is how long this intensity of conflict can go on. Iran, under greatest pressure, may reach a breaking point first,

they're estimated to have had a stockpile of up to 3,000 missiles. Between 2,000 and 1,000 of them able to reach Israel.

BEHNAM BEN TALEBLU, SENIOR FELLOW, FOUNDATION FOR DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES: The best estimate we have is, at best, a back of the envelope calculation

of anywhere between 1,000 to 2,000 medium range ballistic missiles.

WALSH: But those stockpiles were challenged before this phase of the conflict. Iran fired about 120 at Israel on the 13th of April, 2024, and

then another 200 on the 1st of October that year, and in the last five days have fired an estimated 380. Seven hundred used in a year and at very best,

1,300 left.

Others less optimistic.

EYAL PINKO, PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MIGRATION AND SECURITY RESEARCH: Take into consideration that they fired around 400 -- 400, 500 in

the last four days, and Israel destroyed some of the arsenal of what they had. I believe they stayed now with 800, 700 more.

WALSH: But Israel has claimed success in hitting the missiles launchers, releasing this graphic of targets including at least a third, they say, of

Iran's surface to surface launchers.

PINKO: Israel is trying now not only to hit or to defend the missiles in the air to intercept them, but also to destroy the vehicles before

launching because this is the -- this is the weakest part of the chain.

WALSH: Israel has claimed Iran could make 300 ballistic missiles a month like this Fatah 1 apparently used in the recent attacks. But on October the

26th, three waves of retaliatory strikes by Israel hit Iran's air defense and missile production, in which the U.K. defense chief said only 100 bombs

took down nearly the entirety of Iran's air defense system.

[15:35:06]

It has destroyed Iran's ability to produce ballistic missiles for a year, he said.

TALEBLU: I don't even think they want to go below four digits, but it's certainly a bind that the regime finds themselves in. You know, for the

Islamic Republic, quantity has a quality of its own and having to expend these ballistic missiles during a time of war rather than a time of crisis,

precisely puts it in this bind.

WALSH: The mystery number of how many missiles Iran has left dictating its actions, and the outcome of this defining conflict.

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Israel's stated goal since the attacks began last week has been to destroy Iran's nuclear capability. So how far have those airstrikes set

Tehran back? Well, that depends on who you ask. Actually, some U.S. officials believe the Israeli attacks only set back Iran's nuclear program

by a matter of months.

And defense experts say Israel needs U.S. weapons air support in order to inflict significant damage on one enrichment site. That's in sharp contrast

to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's belief that the strikes set Iran's nuclear program back years. So, what we don't know is how close is

Iran to having a nuclear weapon?

Joining us is Natasha Bertrand.

I mean, it is hard to know, isn't it? But what's the best intel you're hearing?

NATASHA BERTRAND, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: So Israel has made the case in the lead up to launching these airstrikes on Iranian nuclear

facilities, that the Iranians are extremely close, potentially only days or weeks away from being able to build that nuclear weapon. But according to

U.S. intelligence assessments, the intel community believes that not only is Israel -- is Iran not actually pursuing the construction of a nuclear

weapon at this point, they're actually roughly years away from being able to build the weapon itself and the delivery system that is capable of

actually delivering that weapon to its intended target.

And so, the U.S. intel community broadly believes that it would take up to three years for Iran to both produce and deliver -- in other words, deploy

a nuclear weapon a much longer timeline than the Israelis have stated publicly.

Now, it's important to note, of course, that the U.S. and the Israelis, they have long kind of differed on how to interpret the intelligence

surrounding Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon. But the U.S. intelligence community, even under President Donald Trump, has been pretty consistent in

their belief that they do not believe that Iran is trying at this point, to build a nuclear weapon. And Tulsi Gabbard, who's the director of national

intelligence, she said as recently as march that there were no signs that Iran was doing so.

She did say, however, that the intel community was going to be monitoring Iran's enrichment of uranium, which is a key indicator of whether or not

they are going to be pursuing a nuclear weapon at some point. And it seems like in recent days and weeks, President Donald Trump has come to the

conclusion, whether because of new intelligence or because of information he's getting from the Israelis, that the Iranians are now pursuing a

nuclear weapon. And he said to reporters just last night on Air Force One that he doesn't care what Tulsi Gabbard said back in March. He now believes

that these that the Iranians are coming extremely close to building that nuclear weapon.

And it's worth noting that the IAEA, which is the main watchdog of nuclear activity inside Iran, they did say that Iran has now produced enough

enriched material to produce as many as nine of these bombs. So, again, it is a very, very high level that Iran is enriching at this point for any

civilian nuclear program. But the intelligence is still kind of divided when it comes to their actual intent.

And again, when it comes to the delivery of this system, that really is years away. And we should note that at this point, the U.S. military,

they're preparing for all possible contingencies here. They have surged aerial refueling tankers to the region should President Trump order that

the U.S. Air force start to refuel Israeli jets as they carry out these airstrikes over Iran? And also, potentially, if President Trump orders the

U.S. air force to actually take part in these operations directly alongside the Israelis.

So right now, a lot of options are on the table, and President Trump is meeting with his national security team in the Situation Room as we speak.

FOSTER: Yeah, we've got an eye on the White House. We're going to bring that to people as soon as we get it.

Natasha, thank you.

Israel has targeted Iran's Fordow nuclear site in recent days. Analysts say that's where Iran may convert enriched uranium stockpiles into a nuclear

bomb. But the facility is buried deep within the mountains. So far, none of Israel's strikes have appeared to damage Fordow.

[15:40:01]

Israel's ambassador to the U.S. says the U.S. is the only country that possesses the kind of bomb that could reach that site.

My next guest is the former NATO supreme allied commander, retired General Wesley Clark.

I mean, America, you know, there's so many questions about whether America should get directly involved here, but it is the only country in the world

that can take out those bunkers, isn't it?

GEN. WESLEY CLARK (RET.), FORMER NATO SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER: Well, I think it's too early for the president to make that decision. I think the

meeting in the Situation Room is an in-process review, so to speak. They're looking at what the status is. They're raising the right issues, asking the

questions.

And I think we're probably 48 hours away from a decision. I think before the president makes a decision, he's going to want to give the Israelis

every opportunity to take out as many of the ballistic missile threats that could affect U.S. bases in the region as possible. It's also going to want

to bring and give the ayatollah and his government the last chances to give what he calls unconditional surrender, and admit that it's going to give up

its nuclear program.

Only after these two opportunities, let's call them, have expired is he going to make the decision, I think, to put the U.S. forces in. It will

take air power, of course, but it will also take troops on the ground to finish the job.

FOSTER: We've seen the Israelis scaling back a bit of language about whether or not they want regime change. It's not something that the

president has talked about either. I mean, that is a completely different level of conflict, isn't it, if we're talking about regime change.

CLARK: Well, think about it. If you're going to do a military operation like this, you have to think -- you have to do backwards planning. So,

what's the end state that you're seeking? And then working up to your actions to get there.

So, let's say the end state is leave the regime in place, but take away through bombing and everything their nuclear capacity, is that a feasible

end state? Do we think that the ayatollah and the Revolutionary Guard Corps, after they've been attacked by Israel and maybe by the United

States, and we've eliminated their nuclear, we think they're going to say, okay, well, we made a mistake, we won't make that mistake again, we're

going to be peaceful now? Is that a reasonable end state?

And most people believe that a vengeful Iran will eventually find a way to strike back, very painfully against the west if it remains in power. And

hence that's the discussion of regime change. So, it's kind of become a dirty word because the United States messed up regime change in both Libya

and Iraq.

And so, I hope that in the White House Situation Room meeting, the president is asking the right questions and thinking about this

strategically, not looking at numbers of aircraft and air refueling, and what happens if a pilot gets shot down, blah, blah, blah, blah. Those are

details. The question is, what's the overall strategic aim of being involved?

FOSTER: And what's the outcome? I mean, what do they want out of this? How is it going to look? They need time to consider that. Surely.

CLARK: Right. So, you have to ask these questions because it's what Colin Powell said about Iraq when nobody listened to him, when he told George W.

Bush about the pottery barn rule, you break it, you own it.

Now, this is a nation of 80 million people. If you go in and destroy the government in there and you don't have a replacement, you don't have any

authority. It's far too big for the United States to occupy.

And just a footnote for all our viewers. We're only seeing strikes in the western part of Iran. Do we think the Iranians are so stupid that they

won't have hidden nuclear materials in the other parts of Iran that are harder for Israel to get at? Of course they will.

So, I mean, this is an operation that's a long way from being over militarily. But the more important questions are the strategic questions.

What is the objective?

If its regime change, who is going to be the new regime? What will their authority be? Will there be a surrender?

What is the United Nations' role in this? Who's going to actually clean up these nuclear sites, get the nuclear material out, find the suppliers,

identify all of the scientists, make sure there are no other sites that were hidden somewhere else?

It's a big job. It's going to be tough mission.

FOSTER: Well, exactly. General Wesley Clark, really appreciate your time. We can tell you that the Situation Room meeting has just ended.

So we're looking out for the update on that. But it's a general saying it could just be an update at this point, as opposed to big decisions.

U.S. immigration officials making an abrupt change. Now farms, restaurants and hotels are back in the crosshairs.

[15:45:03]

Find out why, just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: We are looking at the White House because the Situation Room meeting has just ended. The president came back early from the G-7 meeting

up in Canada to attend that meeting. So, there are eyes on it because his language he's been talking about we have supremacy over Iranian skies

earlier feels much more like America's getting involved in the Israeli conflict with Iran. We just don't know what would have been decided in that

room.

We heard earlier from General Wesley Clark. He doesn't think it will be big decision time. It was probably just an update, but the decision could come

further down the road. We'll wait to see. We are waiting for any sort of update, either from the communications secretary or the president himself,

and well bring that to you. It could be a consequential decision.

And about-face, meanwhile, for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A source says the DHS is now allowing immigration raids to resume at farms,

hotels and restaurants. That's a reversal from guidance issued days earlier after complaints from certain industries that rely on migrant workers.

ICE has been under tremendous pressure to meet White House-imposed quotas on immigration arrests.

CNN's Priscilla Alvarez joins us now from Washington, D.C. -- Priscilla.

PRISCILLA ALVAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, this can sort of be summed up as a reversal of a reversal. Last week, President Donald Trump suggested

that there would be some changes to his immigration enforcement actions given, again, pressures from certain industries that rely on migrant

workers. That includes, for example, farms, hotels, restaurants, among others.

So, there was guidance to largely limit or pause what we call worksite enforcement. Then, yesterday is when officials were instead directed to

continue that worksite enforcement, which speaks to the prevailing desire here, which that the White House wants to see more arrests happen on a

daily basis.

[15:50:14]

Right now, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is averaging around 2,000 arrests a day, but the White House wants it to be at least 3,000. And

according to sources I've spoken with, there's just really no way of getting there without also doing worksite enforcement, which means that

this is a key part of their agenda moving forward.

Now, we should note here for context, immigration and customs enforcement has done worksite enforcement before under many administrations, but it is

that paired with the going after as many people as possible, wherever they are, to reach these quotas, that is raising alarm among attorneys and

advocates and of course, including some of those in these key industries.

Now, when I asked the Department of Homeland Security about this latest guidance this week, they said in a statement, quote, the president has been

incredibly clear. There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE's efforts.

So, the message here is clear. They're going to continue their efforts on the ground to arrest people where they find them, be it in communities or

in these work sites. And all of this again, happening as the president has also made clear, that he wants to expand efforts in Democratic-led cities.

He's been saying that in posts on social media. And that, too, is trickling down to the officers doing that work -- Max.

FOSTER: Okay, Priscilla, I really appreciate that. Thank you so much.

We'll be back in just a moment with an update, if we can get it on what's happening at the White House.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: We are getting breaking news. Donald Trump's meeting with his national security team in the Situation Room has ended. It lasted roughly

an hour. It follows the president returning from the G7 to get to that meeting.

Now, the world's most livable city, meanwhile, for 2025 has finally been revealed. And if you're hoping it's Vienna once again, you might be

disappointed, but you won't be completely shocked. I don't think after a three-year run at the top of the list, the Austrian capital was beaten out

by, quote, wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen.

The list was released on Tuesday by the Economist Intelligence Unit, making Denmark's capital in the number one spot. Copenhagen received perfect

scores for stability, infrastructure and education. It really is a fabulous city.

I'm Max Foster. That is WHAT WE KNOW.

"QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" up next.

END

TO ORDER VIDEOTAPES AND TRANSCRIPTS OF CNN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMING, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS