Skip to content 6/16/2025 Tensions Mount in the Middle East as Israel Seeks a Path Forward in Continued Existence. Jun 16 · 59 min ...more
6/16/2025 Tensions Mount in the Middle East as Israel Seeks a Path Forward in Continued Existence.
June 16, 2025 · 59 min
Tony Perkins and Guests discuss the latest developments in the Middle East as Israel seeks to eliminate Iran’s ability to create nuclear warheads that would be used to wipe Israel from the map.
Series Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Video June 16, 2025 · 59 min · Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Video
Tony Perkins and Guests discuss the latest developments in the Middle East as Israel seeks to eliminate Iran’s ability to create nuclear warheads that would be used to wipe Israel from the map. ...more Show the full description Show less Tony Perkins and Guests discuss the latest developments in the Middle East as Israel seeks to eliminate Iran’s ability to create nuclear warheads that would be used to wipe Israel from the map.
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Middle East Tensions and U.S. Involvement 0:06 Welcome to the Washington Watch News Desk. I'm Sarah Holiday with today's top stories. The Middle East is on fire as Israel strikes with surgical precision. The0:17 Israeli Air Force has claimed air superiority over Iran's capital with 1 third of Iran's ballistic missile launchers reduced to rubble in just 4 days. A former IDF0:29 spokesperson said operation rising lion has also crippled Iran's leadership and infrastructure. But here's the kicker, amid this progress, Israel wants0:41 America in the fight. US forces have already aided Israel by intercepting Iran's missile barrages and refueling planes and fighter jets. However, America has not0:53 participated directly in the strikes. Still, critics argue what has been done signals America's deepening involvement in an escalating regional conflict. President Donald1:05 Trump's administration has remained vague on its stance. But Trump, while still cryptic, hinted at a possible deal.1:13 Well, I hope there's gonna be a deal. I think it's time for a deal and we'll see what happens, but sometimes they have to find it out, but we're gonna see what happens. I think there's a good chance there'll be a deal.1:25 The question remains, what are America's strategic plans? This story is moving fast so stay tuned for more updates. Turning stateside,1:38 shock and grief gripped Minnesota on Saturday. A horrific act of violence took the lives of state Democrat representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.1:50 They were gunned down in their home by a man disguised as a police officer. Just miles away, the state's Democrat senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were also shot.2:02 And now they're fighting for their lives in intensive care. Governor Tim Walz addressed these tragedies.2:09 This was an act of targeted political violence. Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't settle our differences with2:21 violence or at gunpoint.2:24 After a days long manhunt, the suspect, Van Speelter, was arrested. Yet local law enforcement said, while the hunt may have ended, the search for answers has2:35 not. There's a lot we don't know, but reports suggest this may go beyond a clash of red versus blue or Republican versus Democrat. Instead,2:48 the roots of this violence may lie in fierce opposition to president Trump. Police found No Kings flyers in the suspect's car, which is part of an emerging2:59 movement in protest of Trump. In fact, this no kings movement seems to have exploded, and it's spreading like wildfire. Over the weekend, more than3:10 2000 protests erupted in all 50 states, US territories, and over 20 countries, drawing up to 5000000 people, potentially more. In Salt Lake3:22 City, a no kings rally turned violent, leaving 1 person tragically shot and killed. In New York City, at least 10 were arrested. In Texas, lawmakers were forced3:34 to evacuate the capital as this movement unleashed waves of disruption. And the unrest continues. And so we're praying for all of those who lost loved ones or are affected by this violence,3:46 especially as a road to understanding and preventing further chaos remains uncertain. Now in 1 final more positive development, it's still pride month, but people of3:58 faith are shining their light. Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher Clayton Kershaw stole the spotlight during the team's pride night. He wore a rainbow themed cap but with a powerful twist.4:10 Alongside the usual pride colors, Kershaw's hat bore the inscription of Genesis 9 12 through 16 which is a reference to how the rainbow is a sign of God's covenant with Noah.4:22 As a devout Christian, Kershaw may not have taken the field that night but he did take a bold stand for faith. And those are today's headlines. I'm Sarah Holliday. Up4:34 next is Washington Watch with Tony Perkins, and we are back tomorrow with more stories that matter.Washington Watch: Israel's Strategic Moves 4:51 From the heart of our nation's capital in Washington DC, bringing compelling interviews, insightful analysis, taking you beyond the headlines and sound bites into conversations with our nation's leaders and5:02 newsmakers, all from a biblical worldview. Washington Watch with Tony Perkins starts now.5:09 So So we had to act. It was the twelfth hour. We did act to save ourselves, but also I think to not only protect ourselves, but protect the world from, this, incendiary regime. We can't have5:21 the world's most dangerous regime, have the world's most dangerous weapons.5:26 That was Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday on Fox News. Welcome to this Monday, June sixteenth edition of Washington Watch. I'm your host, Tony Perkins. Thanks for tuning in.5:38 We'll get an update from Jerusalem on the expanding conflict between Israel and Iran a little later in the program when we're joined by CBN's Chris Mitchell. And on Friday, Iran's permanent5:49 representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Irrawani, had this to say about the conflict.5:56 Israel has apparently claimed responsibility, and it is done so with the active support of a permanent member of the council, the United States. This6:08 aggression constitute a declaration of war.6:13 A declaration of war. We'll get reaction and analysis from North Dakota senator Kevin Cramer who joins us momentarily. And the house is out this week back in their districts for district work6:25 week, but the senate is in session. So we'll check on the status of what president Trump has called that 1 big beautiful bill. We'll check-in with senator Cramer on the status of that. And continuing on the6:36 topic of Iran.6:38 The regime has the weapons. They have the what they call the basige. It's their local law enforcement. They are brutal. But, often these regimes fall in a moment just like this 1. And I think what Israel has6:50 undertaken in these last 24 hours increases the likelihood that the Iranian people will see, sunlight and goodness and not be covered in tyranny as they have been since 19 79.7:02 That was former secretary of state Mike Pompeo. I'll share more of a conversation I had with him over the weekend about what might lie ahead for Iran. And I'll also share my thoughts on,7:14 how we should be responding to what is unfolding in the Middle East. All of that and possibly a bit more on this Monday edition of Washington Watch. And by the way, Washington Watch is made possible by7:26 people like you who support the work of the Family Research Council. This program receives no government funding, only contributions from listeners like you. And right now, through June the7:38 thirtieth, your impact can actually be doubled thanks to a 1500000.0 dollar challenge match. Now this limited time opportunity was made available by some generous supporters who wanna encourage others7:50 to join in this effort to make sure that we can have news and commentary from a biblical perspective. So if you contribute between now and June thirtieth, your contribution will be doubled. So to partner8:02 with us, simply text the word family, that's family, to 6 7 7 4 2, family to 6 7 7 4 2, and we'll send you a link to partner with Washington Watch.8:14 Alright. The Israeli military is advancing operation Rising Lion. Earlier today, the IDF struck what is identified as a communication center used for military purposes by the Iranian Armed Forces.8:26 Now reports indicate the target was an Iranian state broadcasting station that was live on air at the time of the strike. Not long afterward, Israel intercepted another8:38 barrage of Iranian missiles. Joining us now with insights on these developments is US senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota. He serves on 4 senate committees, including the Armed Services Committee.8:50 Senator Cramer, welcome back to Washington Watch. Thanks for joining us.8:54 My pleasure. Thank you, Tony.8:56 Well, senator, I know you're a strong supporter of Israel. We've talked about the situation of Middle East multiple times. Your reaction to what has unfolded in the last few days?9:07 Well, first of all, my my reaction to Israel taking this step is, you had to do it. They had to do it. Nobody is, is on the clock quite like Israel when it comes9:18 to, the acquisition of of nuclear weapons by Iran. So I don't blame them a bit for doing it. I'm grateful to see president Trump's strong support for it. I'm equally grateful, Tony,9:30 to see that we haven't, risked any human lives, American lives in, in the effort. That said, Israel has to know that we have their backs. The other thing I that's I think I don't wanna say necessarily9:42 surprising, but but the magnitude of it is and that Israel has been immensely effective in their, in in their attacks. They had a very specific and have a very specific plan, a very9:54 specific strategy. They took out the, you know, the ground to air missile system, the the air defenses over Iran, and and now they're just flying wherever they want and and have have complete control of the10:06 skies over Iran. And it's so impressive that I've gotta believe that there are a lot of frenemies and enemies in the Middle East and throughout the world looking at that and knowing that there those are f sixteens, f 3010:18 fives, f fifteens, and and and other great American technology and thinking these guys are better at this than we thought. So I think it's good for peace throughout the world.10:28 Yeah. I I would agree with you, and I would add to that, senator Kramer, that Israel did this and they initiated this on their own. They I know that there was some hesitancy, and they had been waiting because I think10:39 they wanted to do it in concert with the United States. The United States, you know, maybe doing some, well, it's not clear what, if anything, the United States is doing yet. I know we have resources moving that way.10:50 And as you pointed out, it's it's American equipment. But this was the Israeli defense system. Defense, the the the IDF, their air force that that did11:02 this. And this Yeah. The the world has to be taking note of this.11:06 Well, I I would sure think so. I know I am, and I think the United States is. But certainly, you know, certainly, the region is Tony, this is what's so impressive to me. When you look back to when even Barack Obama, even11:17 go all the way back to to Jimmy Carter when the, you know, the back and forth between, you know, peace through strength policies of Republicans and acquiescence and and and just sort of throwing up your hands, if11:29 you will, by Democrats going back to Jimmy Carter. We finally have a moment, I believe, when you've seen diplomacy work under president Trump's first term sets the stage11:42 granted with with 4 years off, but then sets the stage for what's happening now. And I just think that the freedom loving, you know, civilized Arab world is looking at this going, yep. We wanna be with these guys over11:53 here, not those guys over there. And they isolating, you know, Iran this way, I think, has tremendous benefit for peace in the region.12:03 So did the Israeli military intelligence suggest that the window of opportunity was closing and and that's why they had12:12 to move now? I think that's really clear that, you know, when you had, of course, the 60 day negotiating period that Donald Trump had initiated and that ran out, when you had the, you know, the International Atomic12:23 Energy, you know, commission council saying, wait a minute. These guys are out of compliance. And this is the United Nations saying this as you know. And, and then their intel, you know,12:35 saying that they have as much as maybe 9 bombs worth of of enriched uranium. They clearly couldn't wait any longer for their own good. While others were more patient, including the United States, Israel understandably12:47 had to take matters into their own hands and demonstrated that they're more than capable of doing that.12:52 What would you say is victory coming out of this? What does that look like?12:57 Yeah. So that's a really important question, Tony. I I just don't think you can leave the regime in place at this point. At this point, you've poked the bear so hard that if you leave the bear there, you're13:08 you're probably always gonna have to look over your shoulder. The other thing is I think they have to take out Bordal. I think I just think whether it's them or whether it's the United States and God knows the last thing13:18 the American people want is for us to engage in another war. But but I don't I think you have to remove all capabilities, use of of nuclear weapons capabilities. And and, the only way to do that is to13:30 is to take it all out literally, physically with, with bombs. Now if in the short term here, the Iranian leadership says we give up, we'll step down, and then and then we13:41 encourage and and back the freedom loving Iranian people, that'd be that'd be great. I just don't see that happening.13:49 I I agree with you. I don't see that happening either. President Trump saying that, a deal is possible. You know, maybe a deal to dismantle what's left of their nuclear system, but that would leave the regime in place14:01 just to fight another day.14:04 Yeah. And that that really concerns me. I mean, given the history of, of that regime and and just I I just think that would be discouraging to the Iranian people, most of whom the vast majority of whom are very pleased14:16 with what they're seeking right now and hopeful. And, you know, we've led them to this point not quite like this, but but other times when they thought the United States had their back, I think of Barack Obama who14:26 basically left the freedom loving demonstrators of Iran, just holding the bag. And and I I just think, at this point, you can't leave the regime there.14:36 1 final question on this before we move to, issues taking place in in the senate. I I know you agree with this that peace through strength and given14:48 what Israel has demonstrated in the last few days, of course, we're not there to the final Right. The final aspects of this yet. But I would think that this could bring peace in the Middle East by the sheer15:00 show of their strength.15:02 There's no question it's a deterrent. I mean, everybody in the region's gotta be thinking, oh my goodness. Let's not go up against these guys. The other thing that it does is it paves the way for the for the civilized15:12 Arab world to continue to come toward the values of the west. I don't expect that there's gonna be, you know, evangelism is gonna, you know, take Christian evangelism in the Arab world. However, I do think there are a15:24 lot of people in the region that are that are grateful to see, Iran being being isolated like this, and I think their courage to join us and to join the Arab the the, Abraham15:36 accords and and and other more normalized relationships is really good for for the country and for the world and and and certainly for that region.15:45 Yeah. And for for the Iranian people. I mean, we're praying for the success of Israel and for the freedom of the Iranian people that have been under the repression of this regime. Senator, I wanna15:56 switch to, the reconciliation bill, president Trump's Trump's 1 big beautiful bill. That's now over in the senate. The deadline that was set was the July fourth break.16:07 Mhmm.16:07 Are are are we gonna make it? How's it looking?16:10 Yeah. I think it's possible, Tony. And, of course, I'm eternally optimistic. But as you know, this week now, the entire first, you know, the first draft, if you will, of the bill, the entire text is pretty well done.16:20 And, the Democrats are looking at it. The parliamentarians are going through it. They're looking for those, you know, birdable things that they were scrubbing it through the birdbath to make sure that it's not policy,16:32 but solely, you know, revenue and spending. As you know that we have these wonky rules in the senate. So we're going through that right now. I think the probably the most encouraging thing is that Republican senators16:43 have been meeting together for hours every day, apart from everybody else, and including tonight, by the way. We have a vote here in a few minutes, and then we're gonna have dinner together as as Republican senators for16:55 a couple of hours and go through the text and listen to the particularly the tax piece of it, 20. That's really the heart of this whole thing. In fact, it was up to me. We would have done just the tax piece. Now, I'm a17:06 long time ago and it'd be law right now while we discuss other things, but that's not the route that was chosen. So, yeah, we're we're rolling up our sleeves and working the long hours to to fine tune it. We have to get17:18 something that 50 people will vote for as you know. That's the trickiest part. But, I think if speaker Johnson could get 1 more than than a no, out of, out of as many as 430 some,17:30 we ought to be able to do that as senators by the fourth of July.17:33 Yeah. Senator Kramer, you mentioned the the speaker. He's been very clear about warning about too many tweaks could create problems when it comes back over to the house. Do you foresee any sticking17:44 points at this time?17:46 Yeah. It's a great question. I think we're gonna find more, frankly, more spending cuts. I know that won't break your heart. And I I we have a rescissions package in front of us now that the house passed by 1 vote as17:56 well that I'm sure it really breaks your heart that we're gonna maybe, defund the NPR and public broadcasting. But having said that, you know, we we're gonna make it better. It's it it plain and simple. We're gonna make18:07 the tax cuts permanent. The salt thing is probably 1 of the stickier things. But, Tony, at the end of the day, this bill is gonna be so this bill is gonna be good enough that where if you voted for it in the house18:18 before, there's no reason for you not to vote for it this next time because then you're given a binary choice. Is it better to pass it or not? And at that point, I think that I think that the house will pass it as well.18:30 Well, now is the time, if not now, when? When do we, when do we write this ship of state? Right. Senator Kramer, always great to see you. Thanks so much for joining us. Appreciate your leadership on Capitol Hill.18:41 Thank you, Tony. My pleasure, and I appreciate your witness and and your ministry there.18:47 Thank you very much. Alright, folks. Coming up next, former secretary of state Mike Pompeo.18:51 Hi, everyone. This is pastor Jay Johnston, national prayer director with the Family Research Council. I wanna invite you to join our 21 day family bible challenge as we read throughShow more In this video 0:00 Middle East Tensions and U.S. Involvement4:40 Washington Watch: Israel's Strategic Moves18:55 Biblical Worldview and National Security35:42 Faith, Politics, and Global LeadershipBible Reading: Jonah 1-4 Tony Perkins Nov 13
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