Face the Nation transcript: Iran, Taiwan and the midterms

Iran proposal and U.S. response

The Sept. 27 broadcast of CBS News’s “Face the Nation” focused first on the conflict between the United States and Iran. Moderator Margaret Brennan introduced a recorded interview with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian conducted in New York two days earlier.

The program also aired part of President Donald Trump’s United Nations General Assembly speech, in which he threatened to destroy the Islamic Republic if an agreement was not reached. Pezeshkian, speaking through a translator, said Iran’s latest proposal followed the objectives of a memorandum of understanding signed by both sides in June. He said its requirements had been divided into stages and that the United States and Iran would each need to remove barriers before talks could proceed.

Brennan said Trump had told reporters that he rejected the latest offer Iranian officials presented during meetings in New York. She also reported that the Pentagon’s public count of U.S. military deaths in the conflict had reached 19.

Taiwan, midterms and press access

Alexander Yui, Taiwan’s representative to the United States, joined the broadcast following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington. Brennan framed the interview around continuing tensions over Taiwan.

Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, appeared to discuss his party’s outlook ahead of the midterm elections. Rep. Jim Himes, a Connecticut Democrat, appeared to discuss how his party would govern if it secured a congressional majority.

The broadcast also addressed White House press access. Brennan said major television networks resumed coverage of Trump’s daily activities after a federal judge ordered the White House to restore access to banned outlets, while the administration continued limiting CNN’s participation in the television pool the previous day.