'UNLEASH HELL': Trump admin issues threat to Iran if regime refuses to halt nuclear ambitions

[0:00] A decrease in oil prices sent stocks up today. The Dow gained 305. The S&P 500 finished ahead [0:05] 36. The Nasdaq jumped 168. Some of the Gulf states being targeted by Iran are considering [0:12] larger roles in the conflict. This comes as one nation in particular is urging the U.S. to press [0:17] ahead with its bombing campaign. Chief Correspondent Jonathan Hunt is in Tel Aviv again tonight. [0:23] Thick black smoke rises from Kuwait's airport, the latest aftermath of thousands of Iranian [0:30] attacks on its Gulf neighbors, which are bearing the brunt of the Islamic Republic's aggression. [0:37] According to Saudi-owned Al Arabiya News, 85 percent of Iran's missile and drone strikes [0:43] have targeted Gulf states, compared to about 15 percent aimed at Israel. And as Iran hits [0:51] critical infrastructure and energy production facilities, along with bringing the Strait of [0:56] Hormuz to a near standstill, many of these countries are losing patience. [1:01] The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar, all reserving the right to respond and retaliate. [1:08] It's now up to the Iranians post this war, of course, to decide how they're going to rebuild [1:14] the trust that was lost due to their attacks on our sovereignty. [1:18] While some Gulf nations publicly push for diplomacy, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed [1:23] bin Salman reportedly doesn't want the war to end, asking President Trump to keep it going [1:29] until the Iranian regime is back. [1:30] The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar, all reserving the right to respond and retaliate. [1:30] Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly doesn't want the war to end, asking President Trump to keep it going until the Iranian regime is back. [1:31] The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar, all reserving the right to respond and retaliate. [1:31] Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly doesn't want the war to end, asking President Trump to keep it going until the Iranian regime is back. [1:32] The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar, all reserving the right to respond and retaliate. [1:32] The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar, all reserving the right to respond and retaliate. [1:32] There are also worries about the Iranian-backed Houthis entering the conflict, as Iranian [1:38] officials threaten to close yet another strategic oil and gas shipping route that is the gateway [1:43] to the Suez Canal. [1:45] As for negotiations and peace, the Iranian military says no deal for the U.S. or Iran's [1:53] Gulf neighbors. [1:55] Until it is our will, nothing will go back to the way it was. [1:58] That will only come about when the very thought of acting against the Iranian nation, the [2:02] is completely wiped from your corrupt minds. [2:07] Bahrain has proposed a UN Security Council resolution [2:11] to use all means necessary to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. [2:16] That idea is getting some pushback [2:19] because it could potentially mean UN-backed military action against Iran. [2:24] But it is a clear sign of just how frustrated the Gulf nations are [2:29] with the situation in this region right now. [2:33] Brett. [2:34] Jonathan Hunt, live in Tel Aviv. Jonathan, thank you. [2:38] It was made clear to the United States that Iran wanted to talk. [2:42] President Trump is willing to listen. [2:44] As President Trump announced on Monday, [2:46] the United States has been engaged over the last three days [2:49] in productive conversations, [2:51] which led the president to temporarily instruct the Department of War [2:54] to postpone planned strikes against Iranian power plants [2:57] and energy infrastructure only. [3:00] President Trump's press secretary on the prospects [3:02] for negotiations about the Iran conflict [3:04] joining us today. [3:05] Tonight is Her Excellency Lana Nusaybi, [3:09] Minister of State for the United Arab Emirates. [3:12] Your Excellency, thanks for being here. [3:13] Brett, thank you for having me on the show. [3:15] So, first of all, let's just paint the picture as you see it [3:18] from the UAE, how things are going, [3:21] what it looks like from your end of the world. [3:23] Well, first of all, Brett, what happens in the Gulf [3:27] clearly doesn't stay in the Gulf. [3:29] So, Iran's attack on Gulf allies of the United States and Jordan [3:34] is an attack on the UAE. [3:35] It's an attack on the entire world and the world economy, [3:39] including its closure of the Straits of Hormuz. [3:41] Let's not forget that a fifth of the world's oil and gas [3:44] goes through the Straits of Hormuz. [3:46] 30% of its fertilizers for food production and harvest [3:49] goes through the Straits of Hormuz. [3:51] Almost every product known to every global supply chain [3:55] coming from the Gulf goes through the Straits of Hormuz. [3:57] So, effectively, Iran is trying to give the global economy [4:00] a heart attack. [4:01] We should not allow Iran, a state sponsor of terrorism, [4:05] the global price for food and gas. [4:08] I want to ask you what happened, what transpired. [4:11] You know, back just last month, February 9th, [4:14] you met in Tehran with the Iranian foreign minister. [4:18] Out of that, you said there were useful and constructive talks, [4:22] the determination for bilateral relations [4:24] between Iran and the UAE to expand. [4:27] In this war, if you look at the chart, [4:30] the red dots are the attacks on Gulf Arab states. [4:35] The U.S. and the UAE have seen exponentially more attacks [4:40] than even Israel. [4:42] Why is Israel being attacked, or the UAE being attacked, [4:46] more than Israel? [4:47] There are a lot of questions there. [4:48] I think they're really important ones. [4:50] But you're right, over 60% of the attacks, [4:52] more than Israel and the Gulf countries combined, [4:55] have been directed at the UAE. [4:57] And that's a fundamental question, why? [4:59] But going back to your first question, [5:01] we've always tried the diplomatic channel with Iran. [5:04] We've tried it for decades. [5:05] And I want to ask you, why? [5:06] And I was in Tehran in early February. [5:08] We have been working with the United States for months [5:11] to try and de-escalate tensions in the region. [5:14] We were supportive of direct negotiations [5:16] between the United States and Iran. [5:17] We did not ask for a war in our region. [5:20] We did not start a war in our region. [5:22] But as a result of these operations, [5:24] we have now seen Iran take the irresponsible decision, [5:29] instead of negotiating with the United States, [5:31] over really well-understood concerns, [5:34] over its nuclear program, [5:35] over its ballistic missiles program, [5:38] over its support of non-state terrorist actors in the region. [5:42] Instead of negotiating over those issues, [5:44] they chose instead to fire over 2,200 missiles and drones [5:50] at the United Arab Emirates, a peacemaker in the region, [5:53] a country that signed the Abraham Accords five years ago, [5:56] a country that has tried to extend the hand of peace to Iran, [5:59] a country that has tried to push for negotiations and dialogue. [6:02] So the question is, why? [6:04] And I think the answer is, [6:06] why did it all happen here? [6:07] Why did it happen here? [6:09] I think this is a great question because [6:11] I think this is obviously a really bad question [6:13] because we are an idea that threatens Iran, [6:16] that threatens this regime. [6:18] Because we are open, we are progressive, [6:20] we are tolerant. [6:21] We are a vibrant economy. [6:23] And what have they done for their people [6:24] with the resources that they have? [6:26] They sit across three continents, [6:28] just the same way we do. [6:29] They have inflation. [6:31] Their currency is in free fall. [6:33] They had a spate of killing protesters in January. [6:35] President Trump is now trying that diplomatic effort, or at least he's talking about that, [6:39] saying that he is reaching out to the Iranians. [6:42] They are reaching out, he claims, to them, and they're having discussions. [6:46] The Wall Street Journal writes it this way. [6:47] Gulf Arab states are growing alarmed by President Trump's eagerness to do a deal to end the war with Iran [6:52] that leaves them with a hostile but potent rival and are pushing to continue the fight. [6:57] People familiar with their position said the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates [7:01] are lobbying the president to stick with the war until Iran is sufficiently weakened that it won't pose a threat. [7:07] Is that a fair statement? [7:08] We support President Trump's efforts to try and conclusively solve the issues I outlined a little bit earlier in our discussion. [7:18] You can't have a stable region, either in our region or for the rest of the world, [7:22] if Iran controls the Straits of Hormuz and sets the price of food and gas around the world, [7:27] which they are currently doing today, three and a half weeks in. [7:30] You cannot have a stable region. [7:31] You cannot have a stable region or world economy if Iran sponsors terrorist actors like Hezbollah, like Hamas, [7:38] around the region, groups in Iraq, etc. [7:41] You cannot have a stable region or world if you have an Iran with a ballistic missile weapons program [7:46] that today can reach as far as Europe, as we saw with the missile strike on Diego Garcia. [7:50] Your Excellency, do you see an end to this? [7:52] Do you see a light at the end of this tunnel, you know, for the war coming to an end? [7:58] The light at the end of the tunnel is in Iran's hands. [8:03] They have to negotiate with the United States and the international community. [8:06] The United States does not have to bear this burden alone. [8:09] The NATO Secretary General came out with a very strong statement [8:11] supporting President Trump's efforts with partners in Europe to keep the Straits of Hormuz open. [8:17] World leaders, over 30, have signed a statement to that effect on Saturday, [8:22] and more are joining this week, so they are committing resources to keeping the Straits of Hormuz open. [8:27] So this is not just a U.S. problem. [8:29] This is a global problem, and that is the light at the end of the tunnel. [8:33] Do you think the calls for the Gulf Arab allies, including the UAE, [8:37] to get involved kinetically in the war are fair? [8:42] The UAE has fought side by side with the United States in over six coalitions in our history. [8:48] We have shared values. We have shared history with the United States. [8:51] We have interoperability with the United States. [8:54] They are a clear partner to us in regional security, and we intend to double down on that. [9:00] Today, we are looking at a threat. [9:03] We are looking at a threat to not only our region, but to the international community at large [9:06] that needs to be stopped in whatever way possible. [9:09] The UAE is always for a diplomatic off-ramp at the end of that. [9:12] We need to use diplomacy, but we need to use diplomacy [9:15] when Iran understands that its behavior as a rogue actor is not acceptable [9:20] neither to the region nor to the international community. [9:22] But we wouldn't be surprised if the UAE or Saudi Arabia got involved in the fight, actually. [9:28] We are already involved in a fight. [9:30] I mean, you're taking incoming, but as far as involving... [9:32] We are not just taking incoming. [9:33] We are assertively using all options on the table to defend our communities and our people, [9:38] including 75,000 Americans who reside in the UAE. [9:41] Last thing, quickly. [9:42] The UAE and Saudi were at odds over Yemen and Sudan before this conflict started. [9:46] Has this war changed that dynamic? [9:49] Let me take you back to the Houthis in 2015. [9:53] Ten years ago, they were not the threat they were to the Red Sea. [9:56] Today, they are threatening to close the other strait in our region, the Red Sea, [9:59] and they've already closed it. [10:01] Virtually no ships pass there. [10:02] No ships are passing through the strait. [10:04] There's no rates of Hormuz. [10:05] We went into a coalition with Saudi Arabia and a number of other countries [10:08] to stop that threat from Iran because they were funding the Houthis [10:11] that the international community didn't see through. [10:14] What we think needs to happen today is we need to find a definitive, comprehensive solution [10:19] to Iran becoming a peaceful, responsible neighbor in our region. [10:23] That requires some grit. [10:26] It may require some burden sharing with other partners in the region and internationally, [10:30] but we're all committed to that outcome. [10:32] If you were to look at your crystal ball and say, [10:34] how long does this last, what do you think it looks like? [10:38] Depends what the outcomes are. [10:39] I think we start with securing the Straits of Hormuz. [10:42] We should be able to do that in the near future. [10:44] I think building out on that, we need a diplomatic off-ramp of negotiations [10:47] with whoever is in charge in Iran about its ballistic missile weapons program [10:51] and its nuclear enrichment program. [10:53] I mean, to your point about why diplomacy hasn't worked, [10:57] they told us they didn't have a nuclear enrichment program. [10:59] Today, we know they have enough enriched uranium to make up to 12 bombs. [11:03] They told us they didn't have a ballistic missiles weapon. [11:05] They told us they didn't have a missile weapons program that could threaten anyone. [11:07] They can now reach most capitals in Europe, including also the Gulf, [11:10] which they've demonstrated they're willing to do. [11:12] Eighty-nine percent of their targets have been civilian infrastructure in my country. [11:16] This has to stop. [11:17] Your Excellency, thank you for coming in. [11:21] Thank you, Brett. [11:24] But first, breaking tonight, [11:25] President Trump's press secretary says he is not bluffing with his Friday deadline [11:29] on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. [11:32] Caroline Levitt says the president is prepared to unleash hell in her words if Iran miscalculates again. [11:39] The Islamic regime is rejecting an American plan to pause the conflict in the Middle East. [11:44] An anonymous official tells Iranian state TV that the country will end the war when its own conditions are met. [11:51] Correspondent Alexandra Hoff starts us off tonight live from the North Lawn of the White House. [11:55] Good evening, Alex. [11:56] Good evening, Brett. [11:57] Today, the White House would not confirm exactly who is representing each side in the U.S. negotiations with Iran. [12:03] President Trump says that these talks have been productive even as Iran has dismissed a potential ceasefire plan. [12:09] If Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before. [12:18] President Trump does not bluff, and he is prepared to unleash hell. [12:22] That is, if ceasefire negotiations with Iran prove unsuccessful. [12:26] White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt did not elaborate on a possible 15-point peace plan drawn by the U.S. [12:33] and cautioned that early reports of the plan weren't entirely factual. [12:37] According to Iranian state-run media, [12:39] a U.S. proposal has been rejected and countered with five specific conditions, [12:44] including Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping passage for much of the world's oil supply. [12:51] Iran's foreign minister says Iran has no plans to negotiate. [12:54] The clear signal has been Iran is not where we want them to be. [12:58] And they're saying they've got no intention of moving in that direction. [13:01] House Speaker Mike Johnson is more optimistic, saying today he feels a resolution is nearing. [13:06] I think we're wrapping up Operation Epic Fury. [13:08] That's what I think. [13:09] And I think it will be done in short order. [13:12] Despite the administration deploying about 1,500 U.S. troops to the region. [13:16] The 82nd Airborne Division, they're typically deployed at the beginning of conflicts. [13:21] So does the White House consider this conflict as wrapping up, or is it changing shape? [13:26] As I said at the beginning of my remarks, we are meeting our goals of Operation Epic Fury expeditiously. [13:33] The president likes to maintain options at his disposal. [13:37] According to brand-new Fox News polling, 58% of registered voters oppose current U.S. military action in Iran. [13:44] With 44% feeling that the action will make the U.S. less safe in the long run. [13:50] And on affordability, the administration says it's coming up with creative solutions to keep the price of oil stable. [13:56] But many industries are already predicting the effects of this. [13:59] The U.S. Postal Service, for example, is seeking approval for an 8% fuel surcharge on all deliveries. [14:05] That would be effective. [14:06] That would be effective on April 26th, Brett. [14:09] Alex Hoff live from the North Lawn. [14:11] Alex, thanks. [14:12] Is it a deal, or do we make him squeal? [14:14] President Trump sending Iran a 15-point plan to end the war as he readies 2,000 troops to head to the Middle East. [14:19] Iran is reportedly suspicious of 47's deal, but they have a counteroffer. [14:23] Calling for war reparations and sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. [14:27] Here's Carolyn. [14:28] President Trump does not bluff, and he is prepared to unleash hell. [14:33] Iran should not miscalculate again. [14:35] Their last miscalculation cost them their senior leadership, their Navy, their Air Force, and their air defense system. [14:42] Any violence beyond this point will be because the Iranian regime refused to understand they have already been defeated and refused to come to a deal. [14:51] Meanwhile, it turns out that Trump likes watching terrorists get blown to bits as much as we do. [14:56] A new report claims the president gets a daily highlight reel of the military's biggest strikes in Iran, conveniently called Stuff Blowing Up. [15:04] That is the best title for a Fox Nation show. [15:08] Right? [15:09] Stuff blowing up. [15:10] Stuff blowing up. [15:11] And it's just nonstop things just blowing up, blowing up. [15:14] Much like my career, Dana. [15:16] Maybe after this segment. [15:18] You know, so you have war reparations versus unleashing hell. [15:22] That seems kind of like a push. [15:24] Well, here's the thing. [15:25] I don't know what's going on. [15:27] And I think that's how the commander in chief wants it, to be honest. [15:30] I think that objectively, the military operations from our end are going down. [15:33] Right. [15:34] They're going very well. [15:35] Right. [15:36] And I would recommend several pieces of reading for you. [15:38] But Bret Stephens in The New York Times saying that future generations will look back on this and go, I cannot believe they were able to accomplish all of these things. [15:46] So militarily, yes. [15:48] And then you have this question on the diplomacy. [15:51] One of the difficult things is who are we talking to? [15:53] But I understand from the Iranian standpoint, do you want to raise your hand and say, I'm the guy? [15:59] Yeah. [16:00] Risk one internal dissension against you. [16:03] Or even possibly getting blown up yourself. [16:06] So I don't know what is happening. [16:08] I think the madman theory is actually working in President Trump's favor right now. [16:12] He calmed the markets on Monday. [16:14] They've been fairly steady right now. [16:17] But there is a clock when it comes to the Strait of Hormuz. [16:21] And getting that open is of utmost importance. [16:23] It's funny how the planet just has one, like, it's the Strait of Hormuz. [16:27] You'd think we'd think of a backup plan, Jesse. [16:30] It's funny that he gets the dailies on the war. [16:33] I can't figure out if he's like a movie director looking at the dailies of the shoot or he's in charge of controlled demolition for a contracting company. [16:42] It's war porn. [16:44] Turns me on, too. [16:46] The first peace talks, I think both sides are posturing. [16:50] I wouldn't put any stock in either offer. [16:53] These guys are too afraid to put their head above ground. [16:57] They're not even talking to each other, let alone the United States. [17:00] Everybody knows the straits to play. [17:02] The 82nd Airborne is almost there. [17:04] The Marines and the Rangers and Delta should be there by Friday. [17:09] And we've been softening up the coastline. [17:11] We hit 90 targets on Karg Island. [17:13] I think everybody knows what's going to happen this weekend. [17:16] I spoke to one of my best sources on Wall Street, and he said oil traders are seeing this now as ending in May. [17:24] He says the International Naval Alliance should arrive by next week, maybe a week and a half. [17:30] He said the regime is just pretending to have leverage. [17:33] They have absolutely no leverage, despite what you hear in the press. [17:36] This has been completely and overwhelmingly one-sided. [17:40] And this whole strait closure is Iran's last gasp. [17:43] And he sees oil prices going down to 70 by the fall. [17:47] Oil prices under Barack Obama closed over $100 a barrel for around three and a half years. [17:58] Oof. [17:59] Biden closed over $100 for five months. [18:03] You know how many days it's closed over $100 under Donald Trump? [18:08] Six. [18:09] So everybody just needs to chill here, okay? [18:12] Great article that you mentioned, Dana. [18:15] I brought it and highlighted it for Jessica. [18:18] Operation Desert Storm, widely considered a lightning-fast military success. [18:24] I think 42 aircraft got shot down. [18:27] In this operation, four. [18:30] Zero. [18:31] By enemy fire. [18:33] The land and air campaign lasted six weeks. [18:37] Everybody remembers how fast that was? [18:39] We're now in week three here. [18:41] The invasion of Panama, 23 soldiers killed. [18:45] Now we have 13 American dead. [18:47] We actually had more people died in training exercises last year in the Army than have died in combat here. [18:56] We went into recession during that Persian crisis. [19:00] Now, since Operation Midnight Fury, the Dow's up 9%. [19:06] In the 2003 strike, there was a quick decapitation strike against Saddam. [19:13] We missed him. [19:14] Actually, first 40 seconds of the war, 40 dead. [19:16] So I would recommend everybody read The New York Times. [19:20] I can't believe I'm saying this, but the writing's on the wall. [19:24] You know, Emily, it is funny. [19:27] Like, I think that America is suffering from the fact that maybe we just, you know, we're going to die. [19:30] I think that maybe we just killed so many of their leaders that they've run out of people to talk to. [19:36] And Jesse makes a point, like, no one wants to speak up. [19:39] It's kind of like outnumbered. [19:41] No one wants to talk to each other. [19:43] Because I'm hogging all the oxygen. [19:46] First of all, stuff getting blown up is totally my weapons of war show, you guys, on Fox Nation. [19:50] Oh, really? [19:51] Yes. [19:52] Anyway, I agree. [19:53] I mean, clearly there's not a lot of hands being raised in order to essentially, like, in the line to the execution guillotine. [19:59] But I think what's interesting is as sort of the naysayers and as always the libs talking about the gap of alignment here, I think it's narrower than people think. [20:09] And I think it's real, but it's not decisive. [20:11] And from what I understand, diplomacy at this level, it's not about aligning endpoints. [20:16] It's about sort of rationing your concessions. [20:19] And the most important line in that was about the cost of war, essentially. [20:23] Like, whether each side, when they decide, what is the point at which the cost becomes too high for them? [20:28] Right. [20:29] What is the cost that they would like to bear? [20:30] We can keep going all day and all night. [20:32] Right? [20:33] That's our biggest leveraging tool, that our commander in chief is flexible and that we have the military all day, all night. [20:39] We can keep this up. [20:40] We will keep killing everyone if they keep threatening our U.S. interests and our soldiers. [20:45] And I think the whole point about that 15-point plan is that it's deferring the hardest issues and it's creating political wins on both sides. [20:52] This is not about obviously appeasing the Islamic Republic in any way. [20:57] But it's about getting them, if they want to. [20:58] Save a little bit of face. [21:00] While for us, saying, yeah, we're getting everything that we need, everything that we want. [21:05] You are checking all of those boxes. [21:06] And if you want to say, sure, the United States answered some of our concessions, feel free. [21:10] But we are, no matter what, protecting American interests. [21:13] And I think we are well on our way to doing so. [21:15] And as Caroline keeps saying, we're doing it expeditiously, way sooner than anyone predicted and way sooner than the White House predicted. [21:23] I'd love for them to save face, but they'll just cover it. [21:26] Jessica, what do you make? [21:27] Are your sources telling you who's running Iran? [21:34] No. [21:36] And my Wall Street sources aren't saying the same thing that Jesse's Wall Street sources are saying either. [21:42] But I love that you read a newspaper. [21:45] And a real one. [21:46] I read more than you every day. [21:48] I don't know if that's true. [21:50] Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, New York Post. [21:54] And you still say this crap on TV after you've read all that? [21:56] I can't believe she just said that. [21:58] Okay. [21:59] The daily, you know, war snuff film briefing. [22:06] There was more to that story than he likes to see what's getting blown up. [22:10] There was concern that he was not taking in all of the dimensions of this war. [22:16] And some of that you might think is unfair criticism. [22:19] I know you like to put it on the libs and that it's just us and orange man bad and no man's land. [22:24] But it's true. [22:25] It's true. [22:26] And no matter what he was going to do, we were going to hate it. [22:29] True. [22:30] But the Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers, both Republicans, the chairs of the Homeland Security Committees in the Senate and the House, just came out of their briefing. [22:39] And they said we need to know more about what's going on, what the options are, and why they're being considered. [22:45] The White House continues to not make a strong enough case to the people who they need to go out there and sell this thing to the American public and then to the American public themselves. [22:54] And that's why support for this. [22:55] And I should note, again, that this is the least popular military incursion, not excursion, an incursion in modern American history. [23:04] So take that desert storm. [23:06] The approval for this incursion is down in CBS, Reuters, and Quinnipiac. [23:13] Quinnipiac? [23:14] Ha, ha, ha. [23:15] This is the thing. [23:16] It's so funny. [23:17] You try to deflect. [23:18] But what are the polls going to do? [23:19] What are they going to say? [23:20] War isn't popular. [23:21] That's not true. [23:22] War used to be popular. [23:23] Well, thank God we've changed. [23:24] Maybe we've changed. [23:25] All right. [23:27] My newspaper joke was funny. [23:28] Oh, tell me the newspaper joke. [23:29] It was good. [23:30] I did it. [23:31] I made it out loud. [23:32] Oh, it was good. [23:33] On the television. [23:34] It was good. [23:35] Too good. [23:36] We're getting brand new images from CENTCOM. [23:38] U.S. forces continuing to degrade the Iranian military's capabilities. [23:43] And moments ago, Alexandria Hoff pressing the White House about the deployment of the elite 82nd Airborne to the region. [23:50] The 82nd Airborne Division, they're typically deployed at the beginning of conflict. [23:55] So does the White House consider this conflict as wrapping up or is it changing shape? [24:01] As I said at the beginning of my remarks, we are meeting our goals of Operation Epic Fury expeditiously. [24:08] The president likes to maintain options at his disposal. [24:12] It's the Pentagon's job to provide those options to the commander in chief. [24:16] And Reuters is now reporting that Iran's foreign minister is denying any peace talks with the U.S. [24:23] and telling neighboring countries to, quoting here, [24:25] distance yourself from the U.S. [24:28] Let's bring in retired Army Major General Dana Patard. [24:32] His more than 30 years of service includes multiple tours in the Middle East. [24:36] He served as joint force land component commander in Iraq. [24:40] General, it's great to have you on the show. [24:42] I want to play this sound bite because it's important. [24:44] This is the Iranian military spokesman saying that Iran will not negotiate. [24:49] Watch. [24:51] The strategic power you once boasted of has turned into a strategic defeat. [24:56] The power that claims to be the world's superpower would have escaped this predicament mind now if it could. [25:01] Do not call your defeat an agreement. [25:03] The end of your promises is over. [25:06] On the other side of this equation, you have President Trump, General, who's saying that he is dealing with the right people. [25:12] I mean, is there a possibility that there are separate factions, military factions inside of Iran right now? [25:19] Well, Trace, it's good to be on with you. [25:23] And that's the challenge right now is to find the authority in Iran [25:27] that we can negotiate with. [25:29] Apparently, we have started negotiations with some entity. [25:36] But there does appear to be some separation within the overall chain of command there in Iran. [25:45] And that's understandable because they've had to decentralize because, you know, between us and Israel, [25:51] we've killed many of their major leaders. [25:54] So it's very difficult for them to communicate right now. [25:57] Yeah. [25:59] The Wall Street Journal wrote the following here. [26:00] This is the editorial board. [26:02] Quoting, the regime may feel time is on its side. [26:05] The Strait of Hormuz is blocked and Mr. Trump backed down on Monday. [26:08] But before you blink, it will be Friday again. [26:11] And with President Trump, you never know what he'll be saying by then. [26:14] In other words, the markets are have a chance to kind of cool themselves off. [26:18] Do you agree that that time right now is on either side, the Iranian or American side? [26:24] Because it seems to me is the longer this goes, the more this benefits. [26:28] The United States. [26:30] Well, that's that's that's there's that's complicated to an extent. [26:36] Time certainly is not on the Iranian side, with the exception of their regime. [26:42] The regime still exists. [26:45] So for Iran, the fact that their regime still exists, they feel that's a win. [26:51] And it looks like the regime will remain intact. [26:55] However, they should not underestimate the resolve of the U.S. [26:59] and the U.S. president, obviously. [27:02] What I like right now, though, is the fact that we've put out what our demands are. [27:09] And you can start from there, though. [27:11] The Iranians have initially rejected the president's 15 point plan and they presented their own five point. [27:19] That means at least we are framing it. [27:22] And then if certain things do not happen, more pressure can be placed on Iran. [27:28] And Iran will have to pay. [27:30] We'll pay for that. [27:32] We'll pay the price for doing that. [27:34] So at least that's on the table. [27:36] Yeah. [27:37] Good analysis. [27:38] General Dana Patard. [27:39] Great to see you as always. [27:40] Thank you, sir. [27:41] Happening in the region, in the theater and knowing that there's more firepower coming in. [27:46] 82nd Airborne and the Marine Expeditionary Units, two of them here. [27:49] You've got the Navy spread out and well around the area of Iran on the Strait of Hormuz. [27:55] Matt was touching on this a little bit. [27:57] There's these little islands that are not a lot of people live there. [28:00] In fact, they're just manned on behalf of the Iranian military. [28:03] And they're right here in the Strait of Hormuz. [28:05] If I can go ahead and pop this up for you. [28:07] You know, this waterway here gets very narrow and it gets very shallow, too, especially at low tide. [28:13] But these islands here are going one more thing. [28:15] These are part of the Nazi islands. [28:20] OK. [28:21] And you've got Abu Musa, greater tomb, lesser tomb. [28:25] Why are they significant? [28:27] They're essentially beachheads in the middle of this strait. [28:29] That can be manned on behalf of the Iranians. [28:32] And they can be manned with anti-ship missiles. [28:35] And they've been hit a couple times now by the U.S. and the Israeli military. [28:40] So I'll just come over here and show you a little bit of what the satellite imagery is showing us. [28:44] On one of these islands, Abu Musa that I just mentioned right there, you can have a port here on behalf of the Iranian military. [28:51] All right. [28:52] This is the before picture. [28:53] Slide on over here, Jimmy, and I'll show you the other strike damage here. [28:56] That building is gone. [28:58] It's just been entirely removed. [29:00] Here's another island here. [29:01] I'll point to two things on the map here. [29:03] This building here and this hangar over here have both been targets. [29:07] All right. [29:08] This is the before image. [29:09] Pop on over here. [29:10] And that one's gone. [29:12] And that one's gone as well. [29:15] Why could this be significant? [29:17] If the Marines or the 82nd Airborne is going to take territory, you know, somewhere in the Strait of Hormuz, these would be the islands you would man in part to make sure that shipping lines are safe. [29:28] It's a big challenge. [29:30] Robert O'Brien joins me now to talk about this and whether or not getting anywhere in these talks. [29:34] And, sir, welcome back to our coverage. [29:35] It's good to have you. [29:36] Good to be with you, Bill. [29:38] We have the list of the Iranian demands so far. [29:41] And I'll just tick them off. [29:44] Closing all military bases in the Persian Gulf is one. [29:47] The payment of the reparations for the attacks on Iran. [29:51] You've got an order for the Strait of Hormuz that allows Iran to charge transit fees to the waterway. [29:56] And there's, like, four or five other things on here. [29:58] That I cannot see the Americans agreeing to. [30:02] How do you go about this? [30:04] Well, Bill, that's not going to happen. [30:06] That's an Iranian, you know, fairy tale wish list. [30:09] President Trump has been very clear on this from the start. [30:12] He sent Jared and Steve Witkoff to Geneva and to Oman before the Operation Epic Fury. [30:20] And he said, look, Iran, you have to dismantle your nuclear program. [30:24] You have to take out your ballistic missile program. [30:26] And you have to stop paying your proxies. [30:28] You have to stop paying Hamas and Hezbollah and the Houthis to attack Israel and the U.S. and shipping it into the region. [30:34] That's it. [30:35] And if you don't do it, we're going to hit you. [30:37] And the Iranians came back and reportedly said that they were going to build 10 nuclear bombs. [30:42] And they got Epic Fury in response. [30:45] Now, after a month of war, a month of Iran being pounded, President Trump has all the leverage again in the negotiations. [30:54] And we'll see what the Iranians are going to do. [30:56] And we'll see if they sit down. [30:58] But, of course, it's not been confirmed either. [31:01] Here's the president yesterday talking about this prize. [31:05] Go ahead and roll this here. [31:08] They're going to make a deal. [31:09] They did something yesterday that was amazing, actually. [31:13] They gave us a present. [31:15] And the president arrived today. [31:17] And it was a very big present worth a tremendous amount of money. [31:20] It wasn't nuclear-related. [31:22] It was oil and gas-related. [31:24] And it was a very nice thing they did. [31:26] But what it showed me is that we're dealing with the right people. [31:28] OK. [31:29] THE REGIME WAS WIPED OUT, I TOLD [31:31] IT DOWN, THE TOP 50 LEADERS IN [31:33] THE REGIME WERE TAKEN OUT. [31:35] SO WE NEED SOME SORT OF PROOF [31:37] THAT THE PEOPLE WE'RE TALKING [31:38] TO ACTUALLY HAVE THE AUTHORITY [31:39] TO NEGOTIATE. [31:40] SO MY GUESS IS, I DON'T KNOW, [31:42] I HAVEN'T TALKED TO THE [31:43] PRESIDENT ABOUT THIS, BUT MY [31:45] GUESS IS THEY LET A TANKER [31:46] THROUGH OR SOMETHING OF THAT [31:47] NATURE TO SHOW THAT THEY HAD [31:49] THE AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE, [31:51] KIND OF A PROOF OF AUTHORITY. [31:53] THEY'VE DONE THAT, AND NOW THEY [31:55] HAVE TO TAKE A TANKER THROUGH [31:56] OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE TO [31:58] SHOW THAT THEY HAD THE AUTHORITY [32:00] TO NEGOTIATE. [32:01] SO WE'VE DONE THAT, AND NOW THE [32:03] NEGOTIATIONS CAN START, AND WE'LL [32:05] SEE IF THEY CAN FULFILL THEIR [32:07] OBLIGATIONS, IF THEY AGREE TO. [32:09] THERE'S ONE REPORT, [32:11] IRANIAN ENGLISH TELEVISION, [32:13] SAYING THAT THEY JUST CROSSED [32:15] THE WIRES ABOUT SEVEN MINUTES [32:18] AGO FROM THE AP, THAT THEY'RE [32:20] DENYING THE INITIAL OFFER ON [32:22] BEHALF OF THE AMERICANS. [32:23] STAND BY ON THAT. [32:24] JOHN BRENNAN USED TO RUN THE [32:25] CIA. [32:26] HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING SOME OF [32:27] THESE COMMENTS? [32:28] JUST GO AHEAD AND PLAY THE CLIP [32:29] HERE. [32:30] I DON'T THINK THAT THE [32:39] PRESIDENT IS GOING TO BE [32:40] ACKNOWLEDGED MORE THAN THE [32:41] AMERICAN PRESIDENT. [32:42] WELL, I TEND TO BELIEVE [32:44] IRAN MORE THAN I DO DONALD TRUMP. [32:46] THAT'S CRAZY. [32:47] BECAUSE HE COULD NOT [32:48] ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRUTH EVEN WHEN [32:49] IT IS, YOU KNOW, HE'S SLAPPED IN [32:51] THE FACE WITH IT REPEATEDLY. [32:52] HE'S GOING TO MAKE THESE CLAIMS [32:54] ABOUT NEGOTIATIONS THAT THE [32:55] IRANIANS NOW ARE SENDING [32:56] SIGNALS THAT THEY REALLY WANT TO [32:58] MAKE A DEAL AND INDICATES THEY'RE [33:00] GOING TO MAKE A DEAL ON OUR [33:01] TERMS. [33:03] SO, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THAT [33:05] THE PRESIDENT IS GOING TO MAKE [33:06] THESE CLAIMS. [33:07] WELL, THIS IS NO SURPRISE [33:09] COMING FROM BRENNAN, [33:10] UNFORTUNATELY. [33:11] AND SADLY, HE DID SO MUCH DAMAGE [33:13] TO THE CIA WITH HIS RUSSIAGATE [33:15] HOAX AND HE'S BEEN A VERY BAD [33:17] ACTOR IN THE INTELLIGENCE [33:18] COMMUNITY. [33:19] AND HE'S DONE LASTING DAMAGE TO [33:21] AMERICA. [33:22] AND NOW THE FACT THAT HE'S [33:24] BASICALLY SHILLING FOR THE [33:25] IRANIANS AND CRITICIZING THE [33:27] PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, [33:28] WHICH, YOU KNOW, I WOULD HAVE [33:29] NEVER DONE THAT WITH BIDEN OR [33:30] BIDEN. [33:31] SO, YOU KNOW, ROOTING FOR THE [33:33] IRANIANS IS REALLY A HEARTBREAK [33:35] TO SEE A FORMER OFFICIAL DO [33:36] THAT. [33:38] NO DOUBT. [33:39] ROBERT, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. [33:40] THANK YOU, BILL. [33:41] NICE SEEING YOU. [33:42] AND SO FOR THE BEST, MAYBE [33:43] THIS COMES TOGETHER. [33:44] WE'LL SEE. [33:45] ROBERT O'BRIEN, THANKS FOR YOUR [33:46] TIME. [33:47] RIGHT ABOUT 20 MINUTES NOW [33:48] PAST THE HOUR. [33:49] PRESIDENT TRUMP SOUNDING [33:50] OPTIMISTIC ABOUT TALKS WITH IRAN [33:52] SAYING THAT NEGOTIATORS HAVE [33:54] MADE PROGRESS ON AT LEAST ONE [33:55] MAJOR POINT. [33:56] IT ALL STARTS WITH THEY CANNOT [33:58] HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. [34:01] THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A [34:03] NUCLEAR WEAPON. [34:04] NUMBER ONE, TWO, AND THREE IS [34:06] THEY CAN'T HAVE A NUCLEAR [34:07] WEAPON. [34:08] AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A [34:10] NUCLEAR WEAPON. [34:11] WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT. [34:12] I DON'T WANT TO SAY IN ADVANCE, [34:14] BUT THEY'VE AGREED THEY WILL [34:15] NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. [34:16] THEY'VE AGREED TO THAT. [34:17] THAT FROM TUESDAY. [34:18] NOW ON WEDNESDAY MORNING, [34:19] PETER DOOCY PICKS IT UP. [34:20] NORTH LAWN WHITE HOUSE. [34:21] PETER, NICE TO SEE YOU. [34:22] GOOD MORNING. [34:23] BILL, GOOD MORNING. [34:24] AND THAT IS A BIG STEP CLOSER [34:26] THAN ANYTHING ELSE. [34:27] IT'S A BIG STEP FOR THE [34:28] REPUBLICAN PARTY. [34:29] IT WAS STARTED TO STOP IRAN [34:31] FROM GETTING A NUKE. [34:32] NOW OFFICIALS HERE ARE FLOATING [34:34] A 15-POINT PEACE PLAN TO END [34:37] THE WAR ONCE AND FOR ALL. [34:39] IT WAS A VERY BIG PRESENT [34:41] WORTH A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF [34:42] MONEY. [34:43] AND I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU [34:45] WHAT THAT PRESENT IS, BUT IT [34:49] WAS A VERY SIGNIFICANT PRIZE. [34:51] IT WASN'T NUCLEAR RELATED. [34:53] IT WAS OIL AND GAS RELATED. [34:55] AND IT WAS A VERY NICE THING [34:56] THEY DID. [34:57] BUT WHAT IT SHOWED ME IS THAT [35:00] THE OLD GUARD IS OUT OF THE [35:01] MIX. [35:02] THE OLD GUARD IS OUT OF THE [35:03] MIX. [35:04] AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT PART OF [35:06] THE GROUP THAT CREATED ALL [35:07] THESE PROBLEMS IN IRAN, IRAN'S [35:09] REVOLUTIONARY GUARD, HAS A [35:10] SPOKESMAN SAYING ABOUT THESE [35:11] NEGOTIATIONS, HAVE YOUR [35:12] INTERNAL CONFLICTS REACHED THE [35:14] POINT WHERE YOU ARE NEGOTIATING [35:16] WITH YOURSELVES? [35:17] OUR FIRST AND LAST WORD HAS [35:19] BEEN THE SAME FROM DAY ONE. [35:20] AND IT WILL STAY THAT WAY. [35:21] SOMEONE LIKE US WILL NEVER COME [35:23] TO TERMS WITH SOMEONE LIKE [35:24] YOU. [35:25] BUT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS [35:26] SUGGESTING THAT THE OLD GUARD [35:28] IS OUT OF THE GULF. [35:32] AND THEN THEY MET TO CHOOSE [35:35] NEW LEADERS, AND WE KILLED ALL [35:36] OF THEM. [35:37] AND NOW WE HAVE A NEW GROUP, AND [35:39] WE CAN EASILY DO THAT, BUT LET'S [35:41] SEE HOW THEY TURN OUT. [35:43] IT'S, WE HAVE REALLY REGIME [35:44] CHANGE. [35:45] YOU KNOW, THIS IS A CHANGE IN [35:47] THE REGIME BECAUSE THE LEADERS [35:48] ARE ALL VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE [35:51] ONES THAT WE STARTED OFF WITH [35:53] THAT CREATED ALL THOSE [35:54] PROBLEMS. [35:55] PRESIDENT TRUMP IS [35:56] STILL REALLY FRUSTRATED BY A [35:58] LACK OF HELP WITH THE WAR EFFORT [36:00] FROM NATO ALLIES. [36:01] AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT [36:02] IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. [36:03] SO, I THINK WE'RE GOOD. [36:04] BILL? [36:05] ALL RIGHT, PETER, THANK [36:06] YOU. [36:07] PETER DOOCY KICKING OFF THE DAY [36:08] THERE AT THE WHITE HOUSE. [36:09] DANA? [36:10] LET'S BRING IN BRIAN [36:11] HOOK. [36:12] HE'S A FORMER U.S. SPECIAL [36:13] REPRESENTATIVE FOR IRAN, SO YOU [36:14] KNOW THIS WELL. [36:15] WANT TO PULL UP HERE, [36:16] APPARENTLY, THESE ARE THE U.S. [36:18] AND IRANIAN DEMANDS AS WE [36:19] UNDERSTAND THEM RIGHT NOW. [36:21] AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE UNITED [36:23] STATES, IN ADDITION TO THE NO [36:25] NUCLEAR FACILITIES, ZERO [36:26] COMPENSATION FOR THE STRAIT OF [36:28] HARMOUS AND AN END TO IRAN'S [36:30] PROXY SUPPORT IN THE REGION. [36:31] THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT [36:32] IRAN IS DEMANDING, LIKE [36:33] COMPENSATION FOR THE WAR AND A [36:35] NEW PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR THE [36:36] STRAIT OF HARMOUS, BUT ALSO YOU [36:38] JUST HEARD PETER DOOCY SAY THAT [36:40] AT LEAST STATE MEDIA IS TELLING [36:42] THE WORLD THAT IRAN IS NOT [36:44] HAVING ANY OF THESE [36:45] DISCUSSIONS. [36:46] BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHERE [36:48] DO YOU THINK IT ACTUALLY STANDS? [36:51] WELL, DANA, WHERE I THINK IT [36:53] STANDS, WE'RE AT A FASCINATING [36:55] MOMENT THAT HAS ELUDED SO MANY [36:57] REPUBLICANS FROM ALL OVER THE [36:58] WORLD. [36:59] WHERE EVERY PRESIDENT SEEMS TO [37:01] HAVE IRAN, WHERE EVERY [37:03] PRESIDENT HAS WANTED TO HAVE [37:04] IRAN, WHICH IS UNDER PRESSURE [37:06] AND COMING TO US FOR A DEAL. [37:08] AND HISTORICALLY, IF YOU LOOK [37:10] AT EITHER PRESIDENT OBAMA OR [37:13] PRESIDENT BIDEN, IT WAS THE [37:15] REVERSE. [37:16] WE WERE UNDER PRESSURE BECAUSE [37:18] OF IRANIAN NUCLEAR BLACKMAIL, [37:19] AND THEN WE WOULD GIVE INTO THE [37:21] PRESSURE, AND THEN WE WOULD [37:23] CHASE IRAN ALL OVER EUROPE [37:25] TRYING TO GET SOME SORT OF DEAL, [37:27] WHICH ENDED UP BEING THE IRAN [37:28] REGIME. [37:29] SO WE REALLY HAVE THIS DYNAMIC [37:32] WHERE THE IRANIAN REGIME IS [37:34] CERTAINLY FEELING THE HEAT, AND [37:36] THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SOME SORT OF [37:38] OFF-RAMP. [37:39] AND SO THIS IS A REALLY [37:41] IMPORTANT MOMENT. [37:42] IT'S A SIGN OF POSSIBLE [37:43] PROGRESS. [37:44] I'M GOING TO PUT UP ON THE [37:45] BOARD FOR EVERYONE TO SEE THE [37:46] LEADERS WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED, [37:47] BUT THERE'S ALSO SOME THAT THE [37:49] PRESIDENT MIGHT BE ABLE TO WORK [37:51] WITH AND TALK TO. [37:52] I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW THIS [37:54] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER, GALIBA, IF [37:57] I'M SAYING THAT CORRECTLY. [37:58] DO YOU THINK THE UNITED STATES [37:59] IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE [38:00] THEIR POSITIONS? [38:01] I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A [38:02] POSITION OF OUR ALLIES IN THE [38:03] GULF WHO WANT US TO KEEP MAKING [38:05] SURE THAT WE GET AT LEAST THE [38:07] DEMANDS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS [38:08] ASKING FOR IN REGARDS TO NUCLEAR [38:10] WEAPONS. [38:12] CAN THAT GUY BE DEALT WITH, THE [38:13] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER? [38:14] I THINK THIS IS AN [38:15] ENCOURAGING SIGN THAT THE [38:17] SPEAKER IS NOW COMING FORWARD. [38:19] IT SEEMS TO BE THAT HE'S THE [38:21] PERSON ON THE POTENTIALLY ON THE [38:23] OTHER SIDE OF THE TABLE. [38:25] AND THIS IS A GOOD DEVELOPMENT [38:27] BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH [38:29] IRAN, YOU'RE DEALING WITH [38:30] IRAN, YOU'RE DEALING WITH THE [38:31] IRANIAN PARTY. [38:32] AND IF YOU'RE SITTING ACROSS [38:34] FROM THE FOREIGN MINISTER, [38:35] THAT'S OFTEN THEATER AND [38:36] SMOKE SCREEN. [38:37] BUT THIS SPEAKER OF THE IRANIAN [38:39] PARLIAMENT IS A FORMER IRGC [38:41] LEADER, AND HE'S REAL. [38:43] HE'S AN IMPORTANT GUY IN THE [38:44] SYSTEM. [38:45] AND SO WHEN I THINK ABOUT THIS, [38:47] YOU HAD STEVE WITCOFF AND JARED [38:49] KUSHNER DOING TALKS WITH THE [38:51] IRANIANS IN OMAN AND IN GENEVA. [38:53] I THINK THOSE TALKS WERE [38:54] PRODUCTIVE. [38:55] BUT ULTIMATELY, IRAN COULD NOT [38:57] TAKE OUR DEMANDS SERIOUSLY. [38:59] THEY DIDN'T TAKE OUR DEMANDS [39:01] SERIOUSLY. [39:02] BUT NOW I THINK WE'RE AT A [39:04] MOMENT AFTER NOW ALMOST A MONTH [39:07] OF WAR WHERE WE MAY HAVE THE [39:09] RIGHT PEOPLE POTENTIALLY AT THE [39:11] TABLE, AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT [39:12] THIS LIST, AND DANA, YOU SHOWED [39:14] IT ON SCREEN EARLIER, THAT'S THE [39:16] RIGHT SET OF DEMANDS AROUND THE [39:18] NUCLEAR WEAPONS, THE MISSILES, [39:19] AND THE PROXIES. [39:20] THOSE HAVE TO BE RESOLVED ONCE [39:22] AND FOR ALL. [39:23] BRIAN, NEW SOUND FROM [39:25] SECRETARY, FORMER SECRETARY TONY [39:27] BLINKEN HAS JUST COME IN. [39:28] GOOD MORNING. [39:29] GOOD MORNING. [39:30] GOOD MORNING. [39:31] I UNDERSTAND THIS IS FROM [39:32] HARVARD LAST NIGHT. [39:33] I HAVE NOT HEARD IT YET. [39:34] APPARENTLY EXPRESSING SOME [39:35] REGRET ABOUT ACTIONS THAT THEY [39:36] DID OR DID NOT TAKE. [39:37] LET'S LISTEN TO IT TOGETHER AND [39:38] GET YOUR REACTION ON THE OTHER [39:39] SIDE. [39:40] HERE'S THE FORMER SECRETARY OF [39:42] STATE UNDER PRESIDENT BIDEN. [39:43] KEPT REFERRING TO AN [39:44] AGREEMENT THAT WAS LONGER AND [39:46] STRONGER. [39:47] THAT'S RIGHT. [39:48] AND YOU NEVER GOT THERE. [39:49] YEP. [39:50] GIVEN WHAT'S GOING ON IN [39:51] THE WORLD, IS THAT A REGRET? [39:52] YEAH, IT IS. [39:53] IT IS A REGRET. [39:54] IT IS A REGRET. [39:55] WE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD ON [39:56] GETTING THAT LONGER AND STRONGER [39:57] AGREEMENT. [39:58] AND I THINK AT VARIOUS POINTS, [39:59] UM, WE WERE REALLY LEANING INTO [40:00] IT. [40:01] THE IRANIANS WERE LEANING BACK. [40:02] AT OTHER POINTS, UM, THEY WERE [40:03] LEANING IN. [40:04] AND WE HAD OUR OWN CONSTRAINTS. [40:05] YOU KNOW, I'LL ACKNOWLEDGE TOO [40:06] THAT SOMETIMES POLITICS GETS IN [40:07] THE WAY. [40:08] YOU HAVE MIDTERM ELECTIONS. [40:09] IT SHOULDN'T BE, BUT IT IS TOO [40:10] OFTEN A FACTOR. [40:12] NOW, BRIAN, YOU AND I AND [40:13] OUR AUDIENCE, WE'RE HEARING [40:14] THOSE COMMENTS FROM SECRETARY [40:16] BLINKEN FOR THE FIRST TIME. [40:17] DO YOU HAVE AN IMMEDIATE [40:18] REACTION TO THAT? [40:19] WELL, THE PROBLEM WITH THAT [40:20] WHOLE LINE OF DIPLOMACY THAT HE [40:21] PURSUED IS HE HAD NO LEVERAGE. [40:22] AND THE IRANIAN REGIME DID NOT [40:24] FEAR PRESIDENT BIDEN. [40:25] THEY JUST SIMPLY DIDN'T TAKE HIM [40:26] SERIOUSLY. [40:27] AND SO HIS NEGOTIATORS DIDN'T [40:28] REALLY HAVE MUCH POWER. [40:30] IT'S JUST THE REVERSE NOW. [40:31] PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NEGOTIATORS [40:32] HAVE LEVERAGE AND THEY HAVE [40:33] POWER. [40:34] AND THERE IS, YOU KNOW, THE [40:36] NEGOTIATING TABLE IS NOT [40:37] BALANCED. [40:38] IT'S IMBALANCED IN FAVOR OF THE [40:39] UNITED STATES. [40:40] AND THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT [40:41] COMPLETELY ELUDED THE BIDEN [40:43] ADMINISTRATION. [40:44] AND THEY WERE ALWAYS CHASING [40:46] THE IRANIANS FOR A DEAL. [40:47] THEY WERE TRYING SO DESPERATELY [40:49] TO GET BACK INTO THE IRAN [40:51] NUCLEAR DEAL. [40:52] AND SO NOW I THINK THE UNITED [40:54] STATES IS IN A MUCH BETTER [40:55] POSITION. [40:56] AND THE PRESIDENT HAS USED [40:57] PRESSURE AND DIPLOMACY FOR [40:58] DEPLOMACY. [40:59] AND I THINK THE PRESIDENT HAS [41:00] ALWAYS CHASED THE IRANIANS FOR [41:01] A DEAL. [41:02] I THINK THE PRESIDENT HAS [41:03] ALWAYS CHASED THE IRANIANS FOR [41:04] A DEAL. [41:05] AND SO NOW I THINK THE UNITED [41:06] STATES IS IN A MUCH BETTER [41:07] POSITION. [41:09] AND THE PRESIDENT HAS USED [41:10] PRESSURE AND DIPLOMACY VERY [41:11] WELL. [41:12] BRIAN HOOK JOINING US [41:14] FROM MIAMI TODAY. [41:15] THANK YOU SO MUCH. [41:36] THANKS FOR HAVING ME. [41:37] THANKS FOR HAVING ME. [41:38] THANKS FOR HAVING ME. [41:39] WE HAVE A STORY FROM [41:40] THE U.S. [41:41] AROUND THE STRAIT OF HORMOOS [41:42] COULD BE SENDING IN GROUND [41:43] FORCES TO SECURE IMPORTANT [41:44] SITES, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE [41:45] STRAIT OF HORMOOS. [41:46] MEANWHILE, MORE DRAMATIC NEW [41:48] VIDEO COMING IN FROM CENTRAL [41:50] COMMAND SHOWING U.S. [41:51] STRIKES DESTROYING MILITARY [41:53] TARGETS OF IRAN'S REGIME. [41:54] TAKE A LOOK AT THIS. [41:55] THEY'RE ALSO DROPPING NEW [41:57] PHOTOS FOR US OF THE NEW A-10 [42:00] TARGETS OF IRAN. [42:02] THEY'RE ALSO DROPPING NEW [42:03] PHOTOS FOR US OF THE NEW [42:04] A-10 TARGETS OF IRAN. [42:05] HOW DOES THIS THING END? [42:07] IT ENDS WITH NO NUCLEAR [42:09] WEAPONS, NO NUCLEAR FIZZLE [42:12] MATERIAL, NO BALLISTIC MISSILE [42:15] PROGRAM, NO, AND NO [42:17] MASSACRING PROTESTERS, RIGHT? [42:18] AND SO HOW DO YOU ENFORCE THAT? [42:21] YOU PUT THE REGIME IN A VICE [42:23] GRIP. [42:24] SO BECAUSE OF THE [42:26] REGIME'S NEAR TOTAL BAN ON [42:28] OUTSIDE MEDIA, VIDEO FROM [42:30] INSIDE IRAN IS RARE. [42:31] HERE ARE SOME, THOUGH, THAT [42:32] WOULD BE IMPORTANT. [42:33] LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE [42:35] U.S. AS THEY CONTINUE TO HAMMER [42:37] REGIME TARGETS IN TEHRAN AND [42:38] BEYOND. [42:39] OUR CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY [42:40] CORRESPONDENT JENNIFER GRIFFIN [42:41] IS IN WASHINGTON NOW WITH THE [42:43] VERY LATEST ON WHAT'S GOING ON. [42:45] HI, JEN. [42:46] HI, AISHA. [42:47] WELL, THE U.S. IS SENDING ABOUT [42:49] 1,500 ADDITIONAL TROOPS. [42:50] THE COMMANDER OF THE 82nd [42:52] AIRBORNE DIVISION, MAJOR [42:54] GENERAL BRANDON TEGMEYER, ALONG [42:56] WITH ELEMENTS OF HIS [42:57] HEADQUARTER STAFF, IS EXPECTED [42:59] TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING [43:01] ON IN TEHRAN. [43:02] THE U.S. IS SAYING THAT AIRBORNE [43:04] IS YOUR READY FORCE. [43:05] U.S. OFFICIALS HAVE INDICATED [43:07] GROUND FORCES COULD BE USED TO [43:09] TAKE IRAN'S KARG ISLAND OR ITS [43:11] HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM. [43:12] BUT PUBLICLY SIGNALING THESE [43:13] KINDS OF TROOP MOVEMENTS AND [43:15] NAMING THE POTENTIAL TARGETS [43:17] REPRESENTS A LAPSE IN [43:18] OPERATIONAL SECURITY AND COULD [43:21] JUST BE A NEGOTIATING TACTIC. [43:22] WE SEE OURSELVES AS PART OF [43:24] THIS NEGOTIATION AS WELL. [43:26] I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE [43:31] SETTLED VERY SOON. [43:32] HERE THEY GO. [43:33] OH, THAT'S TOO BAD. [43:35] PETE DIDN'T WANT IT TO BE [43:36] SETTLED. [43:37] THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN [43:38] SETTLEMENT. [43:39] THEY WERE INTERESTED IN JUST [43:40] WINNING THIS THING. [43:41] THE A-10 THUNDERBOLT [43:44] ATTACK AIRCRAFT HAVE BEEN USED [43:46] TO DESTROY THE COUNTLESS SMALL [43:48] IRANIAN NAVAL VESSELS THAT ARE [43:50] USED TO DROP MINES IN THE [43:51] STRAIT OF HORMOOZ. [43:52] IT TAKES VERY LITTLE, HOWEVER, [43:54] TO THREATEN THE STRAIT. [43:55] IT WOULD BE HARD TO KEEP IT [43:59] OPEN. [44:00] AND SO IT IS LIKE WHAT WE FOUND [44:02] IN IRAQ. [44:03] WE COULD BOMB IRAQ PRETTY [44:04] EASILY. [44:05] WE COULD EVEN TAKE BAGHDAD WITH [44:07] RELATIVE EASE. [44:08] I TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THIS WAR, [44:10] IF YOU LIKE THIS WAR, ENJOY THIS [44:11] FIRST PART BECAUSE THIS IS THE [44:13] BEST PART. [44:14] BECAUSE EVERYTHING AFTER THIS [44:16] WILL BE HARDER. [44:17] THEY ONLY HAVE TO SHOOT A [44:20] CIVILIAN TANKER OR CARGO VESSEL, [44:24] YOU KNOW, ONCE A WEEK. [44:26] AND THEN PEOPLE GO, WELL, [44:29] I DON'T KNOW WHAT DAY THEY'RE [44:31] GOING TO STRIKE SOMEBODY, SO I'M [44:33] NOT GOING TO LET MY SHIPS GO [44:35] NOW. [44:36] GENERAL STAN MCCHRYSTLE [44:37] FOUGHT THE INSURGENCY IN IRAQ AND [44:39] AFGHANISTAN FOR MORE THAN A [44:40] DECADE AND WARNS THAT THE [44:42] IRANIANS STILL HAVE THE [44:43] ASYMMETRIC ADVANTAGE. [44:44] AISHA. [44:46] OKAY, JEN GRIFFIN LIVE FOR [44:47] US. [44:48] JEN, THANK YOU. [44:49] THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION [44:50] TURNS UP THE PRESSURE ON IRAN. [44:52] NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO IS [44:53] REALLY CALLING THE SHOTS IN [44:54] TEHRAN. [44:55] SOME PEOPLE NOW SAY POWER MAY BE [44:57] INTO THE HANDS OF THE MILITARY. [44:59] HERE'S FORMER ISRAELI AMBASSADOR [45:00] TO THE UNITED STATES MICHAEL [45:01] O'REN ON AMERICA REPORTS [45:03] YESTERDAY. [45:04] WE BELIEVE HERE THAT THE [45:05] PEOPLE THE PRESIDENT IS TALKING [45:06] TO ARE ACTUALLY IN THE [45:07] MILITARY, IN THE MILITARY AND [45:09] THE IRGC, AND THEY'RE THE [45:10] PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY CALLING [45:11] THE SHOTS IN IRAN NOW. [45:13] AND IF SO, THEY'RE NOT CLERICS, [45:15] THEY'RE NOT THEOLOGIANS, AND [45:17] MAYBE THEY'LL BE MORE [45:18] PRACTICAL. [45:19] ALL RIGHT, WELL, PERHAPS [45:20] THEY WILL, PERHAPS THEY WON'T. [45:21] WITH ME NOW DR. MASA TEHRAN, A [45:22] U.S. ADVISOR TO THE NATIONAL [45:24] UNION FOR DEMOCRACY IN IRAN. [45:25] SHE FLED IRAN AS A CHILD FIRST [45:27] TO TURKEY AND THEN HERE TO THE [45:28] UNITED STATES. [45:29] DOCTOR, GOOD TO SEE YOU THIS [45:30] AFTERNOON. [45:31] SO YOU'VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH [45:32] PATIENTS IN TEHRAN. [45:33] YOU HEARD FROM ONE JUST IN [45:34] RECENT HOURS. [45:35] WE'VE DONE A TRANSLATION HERE [45:37] TALKING ABOUT WHO'S IN CHARGE, [45:39] WHAT THE LEADERSHIP MIGHT BE, [45:41] WHO THE PRESIDENT IS TALKING TO [45:43] AND HOW THE IRANIAN PEOPLE FEEL [45:44] ABOUT THAT. [45:45] LET'S LISTEN HERE. [45:46] MANY THINK THERE ARE TWO [45:48] POSSIBILITIES. [45:49] EITHER IT HITS OUR POWER [45:52] INFRASTRUCTURE AND THINGS GET [45:53] MUCH WORSE. [45:54] SOME THINK NO. [45:55] TRUMP WILL CUT A DEAL WITH [45:56] SOMEONE LIKE GHAHALIBAF AND END [45:58] IT WITHOUT CONTINUING. [45:59] BUT WE KNOW ONE THING. [46:00] IF THE WAR ENDS WITHOUT [46:01] INCIDENT, THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC [46:02] WILL TORMENT US EVEN MORE AND [46:04] TIGHTEN ITS GRIP. [46:05] IT'S LIKE A CORNERED WOLF THAT [46:07] WANTS TO DEVOUR EVERYONE. [46:08] I DON'T THINK IT CAN BE [46:09] CONTROLLED ANYMORE. [46:10] IT WOULD BE A HUGE MISTAKE TO [46:12] TRUST PEOPLE LIKE GHAHALIBAF. [46:14] NOBODY'S HAPPY ABOUT THE [46:15] SITUATION. [46:16] SO HE IS THE SPEAKER OF THE [46:17] IRANIAN PARLIAMENT. [46:18] THERE WAS WORD OUT EARLIER THIS [46:19] WEEK THAT THE U.S. WAS TALKING [46:21] WITH GHAHALIBAF AND SOME PEOPLE [46:23] SAID NO, THEY'RE TALKING TO [46:24] ARAGCHI. [46:25] MICHAEL LAWRENCE SAID NEITHER [46:26] ONE OF THOSE HAVE THE HEFT TO [46:28] ENGAGE IN TALKS AND HE THINKS [46:29] IT'S SOMEONE HIGH UP IN THE [46:30] IRGC. [46:31] BUT THE POINT THAT THIS PATIENT [46:32] WAS MAKING WAS THAT IF THE [46:34] PRESIDENT WERE TO LEAVE THE [46:35] REGIME IN PLACE, THEY THINK THAT [46:36] WOULD BE A VERY BAD THING. [46:38] YES, JOHN. [46:39] THIS IS A VERY COMMON [46:40] SENTIMENT AMONG IRANIANS [46:42] INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. [46:43] YOU KNOW, THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC, [46:45] IF A DEAL IS STRUCK WITH THEM, [46:47] THERE IS THIS CONCERN THAT IT [46:48] MAY EMBOLDEN THEM TO JUST [46:50] TIGHTEN THEIR CONTROL [46:51] INTERNALLY, WHICH IS WHAT WE'VE [46:52] SEEN HAPPEN IN THE PAST [46:53] UPRISINGS. [46:54] THEY'VE BECOME MORE [46:55] REPRESSIVE, MORE BRUTAL. [46:57] AND, IN FACT, I GET MESSAGES [46:58] SAYING WE'RE NOT AFRAID OF [46:59] DYING. [47:00] WE'RE AFRAID OF WHAT WILL [47:01] HAPPEN TO US WERE THIS REGIME [47:03] TO REMAIN IN PLACE. [47:04] SO THEY'RE VERY CONCERNED, [47:06] RIGHTLY SO, ABOUT THEIR [47:07] SECURITY, ABOUT THE DISSIDENTS [47:08] AND HOW THEY WOULD TREAT IT, [47:10] HOW THEY WOULD BE TREATED [47:11] AFTER THIS. [47:12] YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW [47:13] WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS [47:14] THINKING ABOUT THE WAY FORWARD [47:15] IN TERMS OF THE REGIME, BUT, [47:16] I MEAN, TAKE A LOOK AT THE [47:17] VENEZUELAN MODEL, WHERE A LOT [47:19] OF PEOPLE WANT MARIA CORINA [47:20] MACHADO TO BE BASICALLY [47:22] DECLARED PRESIDENT, A [47:23] WHOLESALE ERADICATION OF THE [47:25] MADURO REGIME AND BRING IN [47:27] SOMEBODY NEW. [47:28] THE PRESIDENT SAID, NO, NO, [47:29] NO, NO, WE DON'T WANT TO DO [47:30] THAT. [47:31] WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE IN PLACE [47:32] DELCY RODRIGUEZ BECAUSE SHE IS [47:33] PART OF THE REGIME. [47:34] SHE'S STILL GOT THE SUPPORT OF [47:35] THE MILITARY. [47:36] WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH HER. [47:38] I MEAN, IF THAT'S THE MODEL FOR [47:39] IRAN, WOULD THAT POTENTIALLY [47:41] WORK FOR THE PEOPLE? [47:42] UNFORTUNATELY, JOHN, IRAN [47:45] AND VENEZUELA ARE VERY [47:46] DIFFERENT. [47:47] REMEMBER, IT'S NOT JUST A [47:48] COUPLE OF PEOPLE. [47:49] THIS IS AN ENTIRE RADICAL [47:50] ISLAMIC IDEOLOGY, AND YOU CAN'T [47:52] REPLACE THAT BY CHANGING A [47:53] COUPLE OF FACES. [47:54] THE IDEOLOGY WOULD REMAIN IF [48:02] IT WASN'T FOR THE IRGC AND THE [48:04] IRGC ARE REALLY THE SAME ENTITY. [48:06] IT'S NOT LIKE, YOU KNOW, [48:07] APPOINTING SOMEONE FROM THE IRGC [48:08] IS A BETTER THING. [48:09] THESE WORK TOGETHER AS A UNIFIED [48:11] MODEL, AND THEY HAVE ALL THE [48:12] POWER OF THE MILITARY, THE [48:14] ECONOMY, THE INTERNAL REPRESSIVE [48:16] APPARATUS, AND FOR THE LAST 47 [48:18] YEARS, THEY'VE THRIVED ON THIS [48:20] IDEOLOGY OF HATRED AND [48:22] INTOLERANCE FOR THE WEST. [48:23] THAT'S WHY THE OVERWHELMING [48:25] MAJORITY OF IRANIANS INSIDE AND [48:27] OUTSIDE DON'T SEE ANY REMNANTS [48:29] OF THIS REGIME TO BE A VIABLE [48:31] ALTERNATIVE. [48:32] THEY REALLY WANT A CLEAN [48:33] DISMANTLING OF THE ISLAMIC [48:34] REPUBLIC WITH A TRANSITION [48:36] TOWARDS A SECULAR DEMOCRACY, [48:37] WHICH WILL THEN REALLY BENEFIT [48:39] THE ENTIRE WORLD. [48:40] WE SAW OVER THE WEEKEND, YOU [48:41] KNOW, TALKING ABOUT THE ISLAMIC [48:43] REPUBLIC AND WHAT THEY DO. [48:44] THIS IS A GROUP THAT HAS TWICE [48:46] NOW ATTEMPTED TO ASSASSINATE A [48:48] SITTING AMERICAN PRESIDENT. [48:50] THEY CLEARLY LIED ABOUT THEIR [48:52] INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC [48:53] MISSILE RANGE. [48:56] THEY TARGETED DIEGO GARCIA OVER [48:58] THE WEEKEND. [48:59] AND FOR THESE REASONS, AND OF [49:01] COURSE, THEY'RE AT AN [49:02] EXISTENTIAL THREAT CRISIS RIGHT [49:04] NOW, SO THEY ARE GOING TO [49:05] NEGOTIATE, BUT DO WE REALLY TAKE [49:07] THEIR WORD ON WHAT THEY PROMISE [49:08] US? [49:09] YEAH, WELL, I MEAN, THEY'VE [49:10] NEVER TOLD THE TRUTH BEFORE. [49:11] MASIA LINAJAT HAD A REALLY [49:12] INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE ON WHERE [49:14] THE LEADERSHIP IS RIGHT NOW. [49:16] SHE POSTED THIS ON X. [49:17] SHE SAID, SINCE PRESIDENT TRUMP [49:18] REVEALED CONTACTS WITH THE [49:19] ISLAMIC REPUBLIC, WE'RE SEEING [49:21] SOMETHING VERY TELLING INSIDE [49:22] IRAN, CHAOS AT THE TOP. [49:24] REGIME OFFICIALS ARE EITHER [49:26] TURNING ON EACH OTHER, POINTING [49:27] FINGERS, ACCUSING ONE ANOTHER OF [49:29] NEGOTIATING WITH THE UNITED [49:30] STATES OR IN THEIR OWN MEDIA AND [49:32] SOCIAL PLATFORMS. [49:33] THEY'RE WARNING AGAINST [49:34] CHARACTER ASSASSINATION FIGURES [49:36] LIKE GALIBAF OR ROHANI BECAUSE [49:38] SUSPICION IS SPREADING INSIDE [49:39] THE REGIME ITSELF. [49:40] SOME ARE EVEN CALLING FOR [49:41] ARRESTS OR WORSE. [49:43] OTHERS ARE PUBLICLY SHAMING [49:44] OFFICIALS, ACCUSING THEM OF [49:45] SECRET TALKS. [49:46] THIS IS THE ATMOSPHERE ON THE [49:48] ISLAMIC REPUBLIC SIDE OF SOCIAL [49:50] MEDIA. [49:51] TOTAL PANIC. [49:52] IS THAT AN INDICATION THAT IT'S [49:53] COMING UNRAVELED? [49:54] WELL, THAT'S THE GOAL, [49:55] RIGHT? [49:56] WE KNOW THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS [49:57] A GENIUS DEAL MAKER. [49:58] HE MAY NOW BE A GENIUS [49:59] STRATEGIST IF THIS HAS [50:00] INADVERTENTLY LED TO THEM ALL [50:02] STRUGGLING LIKE THIS WITHIN ONE [50:03] ANOTHER. [50:04] REMEMBER, THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS [50:05] FOR THE IRANIAN PEOPLE TO HAVE [50:06] THE FEEL, THE SAFETY AND [50:07] SECURITY TO RISE UP. [50:08] THEY UNFORTUNATELY DON'T HAVE [50:09] THAT YET. [50:10] THEY WANT THE REPRESSIVE [50:11] APPARATUS TO BE DISMANTLED [50:12] ENOUGH FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO [50:13] HIT THE STREETS AND TAKE OVER [50:14] THE GOVERNMENT. [50:15] AND THIS CHAOS CERTAINLY WILL [50:17] HELP FURTHER WEAKEN THE REGIME. [50:18] DOC, ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE [50:19] YOU. [50:20] ONE OF THESE DAYS WE'LL GET [50:21] BACK TO TALKING.