Trump Reiterates Sanctions Against Iran; Other Nations Want to Make an Arrangement with Iran; Theresa May Makes A Speech at U.N. about Investment in Africa; Trump Slams New Kavanaugh Accusations as "Ridiculous"; U.K. Labour: We'll Vote Down Chequers, All Options On Table
HALA GORANI, CNN HOST: Hello, everyone. Live from CNN London, I'm Hala Gorani. Tonight, Donald Trump once again on the offensive at the United Nations with strong words for Iran. He's also accusing China of interfering in the upcoming elections in America. Also, tonight, an explosive new allegation against Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Just a day before critical Senate hearing, a third woman comes forward. We start with the American President's double dose of criticism at the United Nations aimed at China and Iran. And especially Iran. Donald Trump zeroed in on both countries. He chaired today a Security Council meeting aimed at stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction. But he took an early rhetorical detour. He accused China of trying to interfere in the American midterm elections, not Russia. That's an allegation China's representative at the meeting denied. Here is a reminder of what Donald Trump said at the U.N.</s>DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Regrettably, we found that China has been attempting to interfere in our upcoming 2018 election. Coming up in November. Against my administration. They do not want me or us to win because I am the first President ever to challenge China on trade.</s>GORANI: And the President kept up the pressure on Iran vowing to impose new sanctions on top of the old ones set to go back into effect in November. And calling, by the way, on other members of the U.N. Security Council to do the same. Here's what Trump said just a few hours ago.</s>DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: All U.S. nuclear related sanctions will be in full force by early November. They will be in full force. After that, the United States will pursue additional sanctions, tougher than ever before, to counter the entire range of Iran's maligned conduct. Any individual or entity who fails to comply with these sanctions will face severe consequences.</s>GORANI: And Donald Trump now Iran's President held a press conference really just a short time ago in New York last hour. He says his country will remain in the nuclear deal for now even if America walks away. Rouhani called us policies toward his country a mistake and predicted the U.S. will one day return to the nuclear deal. Let's delve more into all of this and what's been a very busy day at the United Nations. Alex Marquardt was at Iranian President Rouhani's news conference last hour. How does Iran intend to stay in the nuclear deal with the European partners? Is it viable without the United States?</s>ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hala, certainly Rouhani thinks for the moment it is viable because the United States are the only ones who have pulled out. Rouhani very clearly said that Iran can resort to other options if the deal is to fall apart but it's clear for the time being Iran is hoping that the GCPOA or the Iran nuclear deal stays in place. The main message Rouhani wanted to send here in the United States is that the United States, that the Trump administration, has made a mistake is isolated. Rouhani said all the other members of the Security Council plus Germany and the other signatories of the deal are still very much in favor of the deal. Rouhani says that he's been going from meeting to meeting with other the world leaders talking about the U.S. mistake and Iranian nuclear deal is good for Iran and for the entire world. Rouhani was quite measured refraining from mentioning Trump and his aides by name. But when asked about this war of words that the two sides have really gotten into with Iran calling the Trump or saying the Trump administration has Nazi tendencies and Iran saying that Trump is a bully, President Rouhani chalked it up to --</s>GORANI: I have to jump in, Alex, because I understand the U.S. President is now talking about Michael Avenatti, the man representing the third Kavanaugh accuser. Let's listen.</s>TRUMP: It's a disgrace what's going on. The good news is the public is very smart and they get it.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are all three women lying?</s>TRUMP: What is your next question?</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, do you -- election interference by China? Why --</s>TRUMP: Take a look at it. You have not only ads but statements made that they're going to hit our farmers who are my voters. I love the farmers. I'm taking care of the farmers. I'm opening up markets like nobody ever opened markets. We have closed markets, whether it's the European Union or China or Canada. By the way, who charges 300 percent tariffs to our farmers. I'm opening up markets. My farmers, our farmers, I love them. Great people say let the President do what he has to do to do it. We're going to make the farmers wealthy. You look at what happened to farmers over the last 15 years. You look at what's happened to soybean prices over the last five years before the election. They went down 50 percent. The farmers were getting -- have been getting hurt in our country for many years because there's artificial barriers, artificial tariffs, all sorts of things that made it impossible for them --</s>GORANI: After having walked away several months ago a from the Iran nuclear deal and a new word from the President from Michael Avenatti that is the lawyer who represents porn star Stormy Daniels. Who alleges she had an extramarital affair with Donald Trump, and who is now representing a third woman who has some explosive allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, a Supreme Court Justice nominee. We're going to talk more about, by the way with the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings later on in the program but I want to refocus our attention on what Donald Trump and the U.S. administration now, the Trump administration, is doing with regards to Iran. Joining us live is Vali Nasr, the dean of the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University and Senior International Correspondent Nick Payton Walsh here in the studio. Nick, what is going to happen with this Iran deal? Because Iran is saying we're in it. The Europeans are saying we can still make it work. But really, one of the most -- the most important part is the United States walking away.</s>NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Since Trump started to talk about this and came to power, the impact on the Iranian economy felt and supposed to be a benefit of Iran not doing nuclear enrichment. And as the sanctions tightened, also the economy is suffering because in turn mismanagement, corruption. What's going to happen moving forward is seems like Iran's just going to bide the time says the European Union. Look at what we have just seen. You know? It is hard to work out how many separate topics into one statement there. China, bogeyman for election interference. Sitting in Teheran and you have a complicated deal, they don't want to get rid of the signatories and benefits you better than debating with Republican hawks in D.C. and think he is distracted pretty soon by something else again. Wait it out.</s>GORANI: Vali Nasr. Is that what Rouhani is doing, buying time and trying to keep the deal alive with the Europeans?</s>VALI NASR, DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY: I mean, first of all, it is up to Iran to walk away from the deal. The Europeans didn't follow the U.S. lead. They haven't left the deal based on the merits of the argument that the President put forward. They're trying their best to keep some financial channels open to Iran so it's really up to Iran to decide whether this is good enough for it wants to move out of the deal. I think Nick is correct that it doesn't benefit Iran right now to jump the gun. First of ail, they're not even sure if they met with Trump he's able to deliver anything. His administration with hawks in it to undermine whatever the President promises. Secondly, as we have seen at the United Nations, the United States holds all the economic cards and it's pretty isolated diplomatically. You had a scenario at which they laughed at the President today at the security council. The arguments no takers. May, Macron, they all said they want to stick with the deal agreeing that Iran's other behaviors need addressing. They want to stick with the deal. So, I think Iranians play it out for as long as they can and also want to see the returns of the midterm elections would be and then see what happens after November. The President found himself in a very odd position of pressuring Saudi Arabia to do -- to produce more oil in order to avert increase in price of oil so a lot to play out still.</s>GORANI: Theresa May, she is addressing the United Nations right now. This is the UNGA speech. We'll take a little bit of that and then come out on the other side. Stay with us.</s>THERESA MAY, U.K. PRIME MINISTER: -- conflicts fallen by three quarters in just over three decades. And progress in which millions of our citizens lead healthier and longer lives and where thanks to advances in human knowledge in medicine, in science and in technology we are presented with huge opportunities in the years ahead. Yet, today, many are concerned about whether this progress will continue. And fearful about what the future holds. For the end of the Cold War did not as many once believed lead to the supremacy of open economies and liberal democracies cooperating on the global stage for the common good. Today, instead, we face a loss of confidence in those very systems that have delivered so much. The belief in free markets has been challenged by the financial crisis of 2008. By the concerns of those feeling left behind by globalization. By the anxieties about the pace and scale of technological change and what that will mean for jobs. And by the unprecedented mass movements of people across borders with all the pressures that can bring. And after the military interventionism at the beginning of the century, people question the rational and indeed legitimacy of the use of force and involving in crises and conflicts that are not ours while being repelled by the slaughter in Syria and the failure to end it. These doubts are entirely understandable. So, too, is the demand for leadership. So those of us who believe in inclusive societies and open economies have a duty to respond, to learn the lessons of the past, to meet people's concerns with practical actions, not beguiling illusions and to renew our confidence in the ideas and values that have done so much to benefit so many for so long. If we lack the confidence to step up others will. In the last century, whether in the rise of fascism or the spread of communism, we have seen those on the extreme right and extreme left exploit people's fears, stoke intolerance and racism, close down economies and societies and destroy the peace of nations. And today, once more, we see worrying trends in the rise of these movements in Europe and beyond. We have seen what happens when countries slide into authoritarianism, crushing the basic freedoms and rights of their citizens. We have seen what happens when corrupt oligarchs rob their nations of their wealth, resources and human capital that are so vital to unlocking a brighter future for their citizens. We have seen what happens when the natural patriotism that's a cornerstone of a healthy society is warped into aggressive nationalism, exploiting fear and uncertainty to promote identity politics at home and confrontation abroad while breaking rules and undermining institutions. And we see this when states like Russia flagrantly breach international norms. From the seizing of sovereign territory to the reckless use of chemical weapons on the streets of Britain by agents of the Russian GRU. We have to show there is a better way to meet the concerns of our people. That way lies in global cooperation between strong and accountable states, based on open economies and inclusive societies. That ensures strong nation states provide the bonds that bring citizens together and ensures power remains accountable to those there to serve. That celebrates free markets and has the confidence to reform them when they need to work better. And that demonstrates that delivering for your citizens at home does not have to be at the expense of global cooperation and the values, rules and ideals that underpin this. Indeed, cooperation and competition are not mutually exclusive. Only global cooperation based on a set of agreed rules can ensure competition is fair and does not succumb to protectionism with its certain path to lost jobs and international confrontation. And it is only global cooperation which can harness legitimate self interest towards common goals producing agreements on global challenges such as climate change, proliferation and inclusive economic growth. We see this cooperation here today at this U.N. as we also saw it at the commonwealth heads of government meeting earlier this year. And here today, as chair in office of the commonwealth, I deliver a clear statement on behalf of the heads of government of its 193 equal and independent member states. We reaffirm our shared commitment to work together within a rules-based international system to address shared global challenges and foster a fairer more secure more sustainable and prosperous future. This commitment takes account of the special requirements of small and otherwise vulnerable economies. And it benefits all our citizens and the wider world. But it is not enough for us merely to make the case for cooperation. We need action at home and in the community of nations. To show how our ideas and values can deliver practical benefits for all our people in all parts of the world. We must recognize legitimacy of people's concerns and act to build a global economy that works for everyone. We must invest in the patient work of building open societies in which everyone has a stake in the future. And we must act to uphold the international rules-based system and stand up for our values by protecting those who may suffer when it is violated. Let me take each in turn. First, we must respond to those who feel that the global economy is not working for them. The pace of globalization that's left too many people behind. The fear that our children and grandchildren may lack the education and skills to secure the jobs of tomorrow. And the risk that technological change could be a source of inequality and division rather than the greatest opportunity in history. In the UK we are driving investment of the technologies of the future from low carbon technologies to artificial intelligence. We are investing in education and skills so that workers are ready to make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead. And we are making sure people play by the rules. So that business and innovation is celebrated for creating jobs not demonized because of grievances over tax not paid or rights not respected. And while we strive to make our own economies work for all our people we should do the same at a global level. In an increasingly global economy it is not enough to ensure people play by the rules at home. We need global cooperation to set and enforce fair rules on trade, tax and the sharing of data. And these rules need to keep pace with the changing nature of trade and technology. So, we need to give the World Trade Organization a broad, ambitious and urgent mandate to reform. This must address the areas where it is not functioning effectively, deal with issues that are not currently covered, and maintain trust in a system which is critical to preventing a return to the failed protectionism of the past. Fair and respected rules are essential for business to flourish and drive growth. But recent history shows it cannot be sustained without deeper partnerships of governments, business, international financial institutions and civil society. To ensure that growth delivers for everyone. That is why I recently visited Africa with British businesses to promote trade and investment and encourage a new partnership based on shared prosperity and shared security. It is why at this General Assembly I co-hosted an event with Prime Minister Trudeau, Prime Minister Kagame and President Akufo-Addo calling for more support for investment in job creation for young people in the continent.</s>GORANI: Theresa May, the prime minister, the British prime minister there delivering her speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Talking about the rules-based system and also the inequality in some cases created by globalization that some people feel left behind and certainly reaffirming her support for international rules-based organizations. So certainly, a different message there than the one delivered by the U.S. President who said in pretty stark terms that we are against globalization and in favor of patriotism. I want to get back to what the U.S. President said today chairing a U.N. Security Council meeting in New York about Iran. We were discussing this with Nick Payton Walsh, senior international correspondent and not sure if Vali Nasr is still with us.</s>NASR: Yes.</s>GORANI: He is, indeed. I want to -- to you, Nick, so we were discussing with you it's possible to preserve this deal as imperfect and incomplete it would be. How would it work, though? I mean, you need money transfers. You need dollars. You need a lot of things to make this economy function.</s>WALSH: I mean, just remind everybody. The EU said they think they can put together a special purpose vehicle which isn't -- not quite sure how they would work and somehow protect companies to do business inside of Iran. But it isn't really clear how they would function because then publicly known and risk the retaliation of the United States.</s>GORANI: Sure. That was one of the issues. European companies concerned about retaliation. Who is at the origin of this? John Bolton, famously, of course, ex-U.N. ambassador under George Bush. Bolton and Steven Miller, another adviser, as well. Bolton pushing for preemptive strikes against North Korea. Supported bombing Iran. Big supporter of the Iraq invasion even after it was established there was no WMDs there. John Bolton is driving a lot of this, isn't he?</s>NASR: Well, he is driving a lot of it but I would say, also, Nikki Haley and Secretary Pompeo are also driving a lot of this. And the President is in line with them because the President ultimately wants to bring Iran to the table and he sees pressure as the way to bring them to the table. So, I think, you know, ultimately, it's really up to Iran to kill the deal even if zero amount of money from Europeans to Iran, it is Iran --</s>GORANI: Why would they? Why would Iran kill it?</s>NASR: Well, right now it doesn't. It reaches a point --</s>GORANI: Why would it want to?</s>NASR: To kill the deal.</s>GORANI: Yes.</s>NASR: Ultimately might decide that it wants to follow a different track. Namely, restart the nuclear program or wants to talk to United States. The minute it decides to talk to the United States it probably will have to come out of the deal. In effect, what the Iranian President said at the U.N. is let's talk through the nuclear deal. You know, you come back in and then we can talk. Trump says, no. I don't want to join this Obama deal. I want to have my own deal. So, one option for Iran at some point is to say, well, this deal is dead. Declare it dead. Move out and start talking to the United States. I think that's not where they are. They are the s who is are holding the key to whether the deal is dead or not. And I think for now they -- as Nick said, they want to wait and see approach.</s>GORANI: Thank you both. Thanks for staying with us. Coming up, U.S. Senate Democrats are now calling for Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee to withdraw after absolutely stunning new allegations against him. We'll tell you about a third accuser who just surfaced. Straight ahead. Stay with us.