CNN anchor Erin Burnett was left stunned live on air Monday night as she was informed about a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel, brokered by the United States and Qatar, amid the escalating conflict between the two nations.
The Breaking News
Burnett, reporting from the United Arab Emirates, began her show, “Erin Burnett OutFront,” by strongly denying reports of any ceasefire, but that changed when Barack Ravid, a Political and Global Affairs analyst, joined the program with an update.
Ravid, citing President Donald Trump, revealed that Iran and Israel had agreed to cease hostilities, marking a significant shift in the conflict.
According to Ravid, Iran contacted the White House through Qatari officials after bombing the U.S. military base in Al Udeid, stating that they would not take further action. The U.S. responded by offering to open negotiations for a deal, and discussions continued between the U.S., Israel, Qatar, and Iran to finalize the terms of the ceasefire.
Burnett’s Reaction
Despite Ravid’s account of these “very significant developments,” Burnett appeared disappointed and skeptical, displaying a grimace as she quickly dismissed the information. She continued to reference explosions being reported in Tehran, as noted by her colleague Fred Pleitgen, instead of acknowledging the potential ceasefire.
“Iranian officials sent the message to the White House through the Qataris saying ‘we’re done,'” Ravid explained, but Burnett shifted the conversation back to the explosions in Tehran, implying skepticism about the ceasefire’s credibility. “Paula, of course, all happening, as Barack is laying out, over several hours…we have not yet heard from the Israelis or the Iranians,” she said.
Trump’s Response and Criticism of CNN
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump took to Twitter and public statements to attack CNN for its coverage of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The strikes, which targeted several key Iranian nuclear facilities, were part of a U.S. military operation aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump vehemently rejected CNN’s reporting that suggested the strikes might not have fully destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities. “I think it has been completely demolished,” Trump said outside the White House on Tuesday morning, as he was preparing for the NATO Summit in The Hague. He called the B-2 pilots who conducted the strike “unbelievable,” stating, “That place is under rock. That place is demolished.”
Trump also criticized CNN for downplaying the effectiveness of the strikes, accusing the network of hurting the efforts of the pilots who “put their lives on the line.” He even labeled CNN and MSNBC as “fake news” and called on the networks to apologize to the pilots involved in the operation.
Continuing Tensions
The developments surrounding the ceasefire between Iran and Israel continue to unfold as diplomatic discussions between the U.S., Qatar, Iran, and Israel move forward.
With narrow majorities in Congress and deep divisions within political parties, the outcome of this ceasefire could shape the future of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.