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President Trump will be speaking and letting us know updates as well as other information that is vital for this conversation and this ongoing conflict. So we are speaking about this conflict in Iran.
It is breaking news.
About an hour ago now, the United States, as authored by President Trump in a social media post on truth social entered into the Iranian Israeli conflict in the fact that we launched or excuse me, that we struck three nuclear sites in Iran. Six primary nuclear facilities are in that region at least, and we struck three of them, including the most significant one in the area of four to doh So. President Trump also went on to say that all American airplanes, all US fighter jets, were out
of Iranian airspace and on their way home safely. We did get a talkback, and I encourage you definitely to take to the talkback right there on your iHeartRadio app. Hit that little button and let us know how you feel about what's happening. We're also going to have a UCLA professor, Ben Rad is his name, and he's coming on at six point twenty to discuss this conflict. From a more academic standpoint, he's an expert in this and he'll be able to definitely give us further clarity on
what's going on. But you take to the talkbacks, let us know what are you thinking, how are you feeling about what's going on now with the US entering into this conflict.
We have one talk back here.
Hey, dere Tiffany, this is one of your fans. I live in Malli County. I listened to you when you're on MO. You are so good, girl, You are so clear, no wonder you're a teacher with kids with special needs. You're just really good. And Okay, that's all. I just wanted to give you a pat on the back.
Aloha, Aloha to you, and thank you. It's so incredibly sweet. So we do know some information about what happened over there in Iran. Of course, again, we were successful, according to President Trump, in launching those attacks that hit three Iranian nuclear sites. They three of them were in fact hit. This comes now two weeks into the conflict, and just within the last twenty four hours forty eight hours, Israel or the Israeli military said that it killed three top commanders from Iran.
So that has not yet.
Been confirmed by Iran, But now that we have entered into this conflict, there are lots of questions about what could potentially happen next.
Here are some of the questions.
Of course, the number one question is how will Iran respond? We hit three of their nuclear sites, got out of there, and now Iran is picking up those pieces. How will they respond? Do they have the will and the remaining capacity to launch attacks on United States basis and our interests or even US civilians, whether here or in the Middle East?
How will Iran respond?
That's definitely a prominent question on the minds of many. Another question, of course, is and speaking about the quote unquote success of the attacks, how successful were they? How successful were these attacks, these strikes, especially at that site Bordo, which is subterranean, and we heard doctor wat Simmons explain what subterranean sites actually involve, they what they entail. So how successful were these strikes? How badly injured was the
Fordal site? And will the United States need to go back with more bombing raids that could make this war even more prolonged.
It's two weeks into the conflict.
Are we looking at something that is going to elongate itself into months into potentially longer than that. The questions are all very open ended right now, but undoubtedly being asked. Another question, another big question that's coming out of this United States entering into the conflict between Israel and Iran. How will presidents President Trump's play How will this mission and this assignment issued by President Trump play out politically?
There's a lot of conversation that will turn political. I've seen comparisons to previous administrations saying that they didn't launch strikes in this region on Iran for fear of different sorts of retaliation because of the nuclear capacity. But President Trump has in fact launched this strike. So how will this play out politically? This conflict might be being ignited without the full approval of the Congress, and how will that then play into the political conversation? And then what
will the political impact be in Iran? These attacks are undoubtedly a huge blow to Iranian leadership, and as we did learn Israel's claiming that three top commanders were killed in recent strikes, what were their political responsibilities? Where were they in the Iranian leadership? Could these attacks unleash forces that could trigger a toppling of the revolutionary regime or even a splintering of the country that could send shockwaves throughout the region. So there are lots and lots and
lots of questions. Again, at seven pm hour time, President Trump will give a He'll address the nation to let us know updates about what's happening, where those military planes are, the success of the strikes, and what to expect in the coming hours and days as the United States has entered into the conflict between Iran and Israel and will continue following this story undoubtedly throughout the night into the
morning tomorrow as well. This is the biggest breaking news globally, and we'll have it right here on KFI IM six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app.
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand.
Breaking news out of Iran that happened a little earlier this evening the United States. According to President Trump, in a post on truth Social, the social media platform that he owns, President Trump said that the United States launched a quote unquote successful attack on three Iranian nuclear sites, and he went on to say that one of those sites included in the three is the most significant nuclear facility in the region. So we're tracking this information. As
of now. President Trump did say that our military aircraft were out of Iranian airspace and on their way home safely. But to get more clarity, to have more insight on what's going on in this region and now what it means for the United States to enter into this conflict between Israel and Iran. We have senior fellow UCLA professor Ben rad On. He's a lecturer of global studies, International and area studies, and a political science I would say, uh,
professor or professional in the UCLA College. I went to USC so it's hard for me to get these things out right. Ben rad is also an expert on government and politics in the Middle East, particularly Iran, and on US foreign policy. Professor rad thank you so much for coming on with us. There's so much going on. You're probably being pulled in so many directions, so thank you for your time.
Thank you for having me on.
You're so welcome. So you study this, this is your lane you are. You're an expert in all things government and politics in the Middle East, specifically in the region that was just hit about an hour ago now by our United States Special forces and White House officials have said that they feel the US strikes in the region on these nuclear sites were very effective.
What does that mean very effective?
Well, partly, we want to wait for President Trump to give his announcement at seven o'clock when he addresses the nation. But it's way too soon to do a damage assessment, and we've yet to also hear from Arounnian officials, not that we would necessarily take their word for it, but it'll take some time for the United States to be able to gather the necessary intelligence, the photographs, the data
collection to assess how impactful the strikes were. Were they impactful to some extent, of course, very very likely that they set back Around's nuclear weapons program, But whether it eliminated the threat of those facilities that were bombed the mains to be seen.
Okay, that makes perfect sense.
We have hurt, like you said, from the other side, and when President Trump comes on at seven pm hour time, he will likely give a lot of clarity to the questions that people are asking. Another question that's being asked is that will this encourage diplomacy? Will this encourage negotiations? So sources familiar with what's going on say that President Trump does, in fact hope that these attacks will encourage these negotiations subsequently leading to the end of this conflict.
Do you see an imminent end in near you know, end near, or do you think that this is something that is going to take a lot more time than seemingly estimated.
Well, we know that the strike was limited to those facilities, and senior officials have reported on background that the goal here is not regime change or regime destabilization. In other words, the United States is sending a message that this is about and only about the nuclear weapons and the nuclear program as a whole. So Iran can take that as
it will. It could decide to now re engage in diplomacy on the conditions the United States offered several weeks ago, or it can choose to press ahead with this enrichment program, full acceleration towards weaponization and retaliate. We won't know what the option is. We don't know the internal struggles and
pressures within the government right now. I'm the Supreme leader and his military officials, So I think it would be folly to try to predict which way they're going to go, other than to point out that they are under tremendous pressure and their options are limited because now they are fighting a multi front war with the United States and Israel.
And that speaks to the capacity in the will that Iran might have to continue with this sort of aggression. And then what would the implications be on US civilians, whether in the Middle East or elsewhere. Is how dire is this situation for US civilians around the world.
Well, again, this will all hinge on how Iran chooses to act upon this moment. It can, as it has in the past, engaged in acts of terrorism and other attacks against Americans, American forces, American civilians throughout the world, either directly or indirectly using proxy agents. However, this is a very different time. Iran's capacity and ability to do so are limited. And secondly, like I mentioned, it's fighting
this now multi front war. It is way way overpowered and outmatched, and the question of whether it wants to engage down the road of further escalation, knowing that that can lead to regime destruction, is something that will have to weigh very heavily when it decides what to do next. So, again, to answer your question, we simply don't know the risks posed to American civilians or American forces because we don't know exactly how the Iranians will take this opportunity.
Professor Ratt, I'm going to ask you to tap into your political science background for just one moment. Can you briefly sum up an explanation as to how you feel this play, this strategy will potentially affect President Trump politically if at all.
We know that in the last few days there's been an internal debate, actually made very public within the GOP, within the MAGA movement, as to whether or not President Trump should engage Iran directly and bomb It seems like in the last few days there were many on the anti interventionist side who came around and concluded that a limited engagement would be consistent or would be okay with them. We now need to see if this bombing is contained.
In other words, if it ends here, meaning there's no further involvement, no US force is sent directly, troops boots on the ground. It's possible then that this will have minimal to no impact from his critics within the GOP. As far as those who were supporting him to engage directly, well, they're going to be thrilled and elated, especially if this brings her on to the negotiating table or brings about
a quick end to the conflict. It's too soon to tell again which way that will go, though, I right now I'm leaning that this might be viewed more favorably by his supporters than disfavorably.
Professor Ben Ratt is a senior Fellow and lecturer of Global Studies, International and Area Studies, and Political science at UCLA. He's also a government or an expert on government and politics in the Middle East, and that's what we're talking about. Professor Ratt, thank you so very much for coming on with us. I hope you're able to get some sleep tonight because it's definitely a busy and tumultuous time. Thank you, thank you, You're so welcome. We'll continue this conversation on
the other side of the break. Remember we are watching out for that seven PM addressed to the nation by President Trump, where he will undoubtedly share with us updates about the situation in Iran, share insight about whether it was successful and what success actually means, what that entails, and clear up any of the confusion that is now left in the ether about what we are doing in this region and what's to come in the coming days.
We're continuing to.
Follow this situation out of Iran. It's breaking news and it is the biggest story, and we have it right here on KFI AM six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio apps.
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand.
We're following, of course, all of this breaking news out of Iran. It is now Sunday morning, just after five am in Iran, but Saturday night, which it is still Saturday here, but it is Sunday there, Saturday evening in Iran. President Trump did share with the nation via a truth social post that US military forces completed what he has can considering to be a successful missile airstrike in Iranian
territory which did hit three Iranian nuclear sites. Three sites were hit, including the most formidable, the most significant site in Floridah in the area of Floridoh. And a little bit about this Floridoh facility. It's buried deep in the mountains in the northern part of the country. It's subterranean, is what our experts have shared with us. And we had Professor Bin Radd and doctor Walter Simmons on to share with us about their knowledge of the region and
militarized offense now in Iran. So the Fodoh facility that was hit is buried deep in the mountains and subterranean. Its subterranean and it houses advanced centrifuges used to enrich uranium up to high grades of purity. It is a nuclear facility. It was believed that only US bunker buster bombs would be able to damage the facility due to its depth, but President Trump is saying that the attacks in that area, including on this facility, were in fact successful.
We have some talkbacks. I did ask you to go to.
Your talkbacks to the talkback feature to share with us how you feel about everything that's going on, and want to make sure that we get those played ready for it.
The only thing I can see us doing in Iran is exactly what we just did is bomb some sites. The people want a coup, The people want the old regen out, so we don't need to go in there and occupy Iran. That'll be done by Israel and the Iranian people themselves. So we may drop bombs and destroy nuclear facilities, but I do not see us going in there as an occupying force.
Not going to happen.
All right, let's go to the next one.
Professor from UCLA was great.
He was all about the facts and good analysis and no a personal opinion. He was just sticking to what was really happening. And that's refreshing to hear from somebody who's a college professor.
It was. That was Professor bin Rad of UCLA. I don't usually give big.
Ups to UCLA being a trojan myself, but in this case, Professor bin Rad was fantastic.
All right, let's go to our final one.
A genius move by Trump because Trump told them that he would be making a decision within the next two weeks, and they're thinking. Iran is thinking they have time to get some military aid from some of their allies, and then kaboom, Trump.
Lets him have it, and he kept it to the.
Nuclear sites, which is exactly what needed to happen.
Kaboom is correct, kaboom three times, apparently at the very least, because three nuclear sites were in fact hit in that air strike in Iranian territory, hitting again the most formidable of those nuclear sites in the area of Fourdoh. Thank you for your talkbacks. Please continue to send them in hit that talkback button on the iHeart app. I love to hear what you're thinking, how you are affected by
all of this, because we're in conversation. You might be listening, but I'm also listening to you when you share your thoughts, and I love to share them on air so that we all can be in that conversation together. So we're getting all this information as we know. Now here's what we know. The US struck those three nuclear sites in Iran. There are at least six nuclear facilities in that area in that region of Iran, with others to the north
and to the west as well of the country. Of those six that are there, the US's strategy did in fact strike three of them using a stealth intercontinental multi roll heavy bomber called the B two Spirit. These are B too military aircraft and they can carry quite a bit. Tens of thousands of pounds is what we have learned as well. That now posits the United States directly within this conflict between Israel and Eern and a lot of questions are coming in now about what that means, when
will this, will this continue? In fact, was this kind of a stick and go and be done with admission? Or is this now going to be on going, and President Trump will speak to the nation in an address at seven pm to share updates about everything that went on and to clear up the questions that we all certainly have. Let me tell you a little bit more about that Fordo facility that's buried deep in the mountains,
one of the facilities that was hit. The deputy Security governor of Isfahan confirmed the Isfahan and Nantas facilities in central Iran were also attacked. Those are that makes up the two of the three. The Fordo, Isfahan and Natan's facilities were attacked. That's confirmed by the deputy Security governor of Isfahan. He went on to say, quote, we witnessed intrusions near the nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natans. He added that air defenses had been activated to quote confront
hostile targets, but several explosions were heard. That's what's quoted by the governor through their news agencies. It is also being reported that the facilities in that region had been previously evacuated. That was according to Iranian media. That will certainly add some light or shed some light on potential casualties and human consequences of that military strike.
When we come back.
We're going to talk to Michael Monks, of course, and find out what he's talking about.
I'm pretty sure you can all guess.
And we'll continue with updates as we follow this huge global story about the United States entering into the aggression between Israel and Iran Saturday evening, just a few hours ago in Iran, it's Sunday morning there, just after five am. We're in it now and we hit three nuclear sites. What does it all mean? We'll continue the conversation on the other side of the BREAKFI AM six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app tifnany Hobbs here with you until.
Seven you're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand.
When can we have a Saturday where we can just relax?
Not lately nor Yeah, there's just precedented, unprecedented.
It's just I would love to be on the side where that we can ease into the weekend.
You know.
I went to Whole Foods to grab some dinner tonight on the way in and I was just like, you know what, I hope it's just a nice chill evening. There's no protest, there's no drama. Literally, as I'm on the elevator. The boss is calling, going ware does Mamba ran? And I'm like, oh, like.
No protests, but a slight side of World War three? Yeah, oh gosh, I hope not.
I hope.
No.
We're going to rebuke that. We're going to rebuke it. And we don't know yet.
We just don't know exactly what this entering into the aggression is going too unfold to be. We don't know if this was kind of a calculated warning shot, if it did in fact decimate completely the nuclear capabilities of Eron. We don't know, but we'll certainly find out more about the United States air strike in Iran Saturday evening. It's now Sunday morning there in their region just a couple of hours ago, when President Trump takes to the podium at seven pm to share with us updates about the
situation as well. Let me just recap a little bit more for you. As you heard there, we did strike three nuclear sites in Iran. There are about six major nuclear facilities in the country, and we hit three of them, with the most formidable, the most significant or serious of those nuclear facilities being located in the area of Foordoh And that region is subterranean. But President Trump and sources connected to the military are calling this offense, this offensive
to be a successful attack. They're saying that this was in fact successful. We we'll find out what success actually means in terms of whether or not Iran's nuclear capabilities have now been drastically reduced or all together eliminated. But with Israel and Iran now entering into week number two of their aggression with each other, sources are reporting that
Iran has been weakened militarily. Therefore a strike by the US would be very timely and convenient because their munitions, their defenses are in fact weaker than they were, say, two weeks ago. Michael Monks, what are you talking about tonight, buddy.
Well, take a guess. Protests, Yeah, a little bit, actually, you know.
I mean, look, we still have local news happening in spite of what's happening globally. We're going to, obviously, because we are KFI News, going to bring you the president as soon as he starts talking. We're going to carry that live right here on AM six forty, and you will continue to cover what's going on in Iran throughout. By the way, I know you and I like to talk about how we pronounce things.
Yes, what are you saying?
You know what?
I got to call? You know, I got to so Iran as well? Or are you getting something out?
Well?
How do you say it?
I was saying Iran, and then we got a talk back saying Iran.
I'm not sure I say Iran. I don't have my headphone. Okay, says Iran. Says I say Iran, Iran, Iran. Okay, I say Iran. Oh, definitely Iran. It's Iran, Iran, Iran.
There's no extra r Iran and Iran, Iran and Iraq.
I started in broadcast journalism just before the Iraq War starting, and that was the pronouncer that this very company put out for us.
You're not saying Iraq.
And you know because I'm from Kentucky, so a lot of people are saying Iraq, ira you know what's happening in Iraq?
I say it like George w says it. Yeah.
So I think I'm gonna go with Iran and I'll take all the talkbacks they want to sent, because I'm still saying duarte.
You say sopoveda. I think the first time I came here I probably said it. In the way that I assumed a Spanish speaking person might say it.
But I learned, Yeah, I learned, and the night's still Night's still young.
You can learn, I know.
And I don't mean to derail us from the very seriousness of the evening, but you know, there's a lot of We focus a lot on pronunciation in the Los Angeles because we're very righteous about the way we say things. I didn't expect the righteousness to come on the telephone about Iran because it's not you can't get to Iran on the five, right. I mean, this isn't something that we're talking about a lot here in LA. It's like a Saturday Night Live, I suppose. But yeah, we'll be
covering this. Also, there were some verbal bombs here in Los Angeles involving the vice president and the mayor hurling some backs.
We're gonna recap that, I hope, so yeah, because.
I've edited a lot of sound and hopefully we'll get to that.
I was so excited to play that, Michael Mundy.
No, I know, I know, I know what I will pick up where you left off. You know, breaking news has its place and that's what we're here for. Okay, we plan for the shows and things happen.
Before you go before you go, And talking about the verbal the war of war of words between Vice President JD.
Vance and Mayor Karen Bass.
Of the two, who do you think was more effective in their their war strategy?
Who would win?
Well, here's what I would say, blow for blow senator now Vice President Vance, as we saw in the campaign when he was still senator, he is I think good regardless of the veracity of whatever you're saying, as a politician, he is good when it's time to spar and he really is an effective fighter verbally. Mayor Bass has had a rough year, starting at the very beginning of the
year with the fires and not really communicating really well. Again, regardless of the veracity of what she's saying, she seems to be finding her footing verbally and from a messaging standpoint. Yeah, So, I think as far as both of them go, there were sparks coming from both of them, and both of them looked very surefooted and a sure of themselves. And
I was surprised at how feisty the mayor was. Again, irrespective of how much you believe and what either of them was saying, they were both very confident.
And probably the most confident I think I've seen her.
Oh yeah, for sure. And we'll talk about that coming up. Ideally, I have that ready to go if we have time. Obviously, the situation we're going to carry. The President's to talk any moment, and it's maybe a couple of minutes away from this, and hopefully we'll hear what President Trump has to say and we'll play that and if we have some time, we'll talk about local issues too.
Well, let me go so I can give it over to you Trump. Also, let's petition to get a raise for the weekend crew.
How about that? I think so.
I think we're a long month for the week a long month year. It's just been all of it, right, We're doing our best.
We're doing a good job.
Well done after Toddy on the breaking news, and again we'll continue to cover all things Iran and the United States now positioning ourselves within this aggression between Iron or Erran as Michael Monks likes to call it, and Israel. All the breaking news will be covered right here on KFI.
And President Trump is going to speak any minute now, so make sure you listen in to find out updates about what happened just a few hours ago, as US aircraft launched a missile strike that hit three nuclear facilities in Iran. I'll be back here tomorrow from two to four can continuing to cover the breaking news and anything else that arises right here on KFI AM six forty Live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app.
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