Return to Transcripts main page
The Brief with Jim Sciutto
CNN International: Trump Haven't Made a Final Decision on Striking Iran; Third U.S. Aircraft Carrier to Deploy Near Israel; Many Tehran Residents Leaving the City; Netanyahu Thanks Trump for Supporting Israel; Israeli Military Killed at Least 140 People in Gaza; Fed Holds Rates Steady; Dangers of Screen Time Addiction. Aired 6-7p ET
Aired June 18, 2025 - 18:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[18:00:00]
ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, and welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world. I'm Erica Hill in New York, in tonight for Jim
Sciutto. You're watching "The Brief."
Just ahead this hour, U.S. President Trump says he has not made a final decision about striking Iran. The Federal Reserve in the U.S. holding
interest rates steady in the face of uncertainty over tariffs. And a new study links addictive screen time to mental health concerns and potentially
suicidal behavior in children. We're going to speak with a steady senior author.
We begin though this hour in the Middle East where Iran and Israel continues to trade fire. We have more video now of a missile attack. This
coming, as you see here. This isn't just the last hour over the skies of Jerusalem. And it comes as President Donald Trump is weighing whether to
send U.S. troops into another Middle Eastern conflict.
He says his patience with Tehran has run out and he doesn't want a ceasefire. But also says he has not yet closed the door to meeting with
Iran. Iran's supreme leader meantime is warning of consequences if the U.S. launches an attack.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI, SUPREME LEADER OF IRAN (through translator): The American's involvement in this matter will 100 percent be at their loss.
The loss they receive will probably be much more than the damage Iran will bear. If America have a military presence on the ground, without a doubt,
it will be an irreparable loss.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: It is important to note the U.S. is now pushing more firepower into the region. An aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Gerald Ford is
likely to head to the Eastern Mediterranean next week. Another U.S. carrier, the Nimitz, is also -- is already on its way to the Middle East
where it will join the USS Carl Vinson, which is of course on site.
President Trump meantime says Iran, in his view, is just a few weeks away from having a nuclear weapon. Yet U.S. intelligence assessments reach a
different conclusion. Four sources familiar with that intel say that not only was Iran not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon, it was also up to
three years away from being able to produce and deliver one to a target of its choosing.
Kevin Liptak joining us now from the White House. So, some -- a differing of opinion, I guess, and some questions again about what the Intelligence
Community is saying versus what the president is saying, Kevin.
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, I think that's right. And it's clear that the president has put a lot of stock into what he's
hearing from the Israelis and in particular the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, about just how close Iran could be to enriching uranium to a
point where they could develop a nuclear weapon.
Of course, he has said, and he discounted publicly on Air Force One as he was flying back here to Washington, the assessment from his intelligence
chief, Tulsi Gabbard. And I think it's clear that the president does view the potential of around creating a nuclear weapon as something that is
potentially weeks away. And so, that I think is what's driving his decision making here.
But I think it, he was clear today that he hasn't necessarily made the final choice, and he is leaving open at least cracking the window to the
chance that diplomacy still could potentially be effective. He's discounting whether or not that will come to passing, that he thinks it's
too late. And even saying that, as recently as a week ago, Iranian officials were thinking about coming to the White House here to make these
negotiations. Now, he says it could be too late.
But he's not closing the window entirely. And I think that just gives you a sense of the balance that the president is trying to strike here. Yes, he
believes that the U.S. is the only sort of entity that could fully eliminate Iran's nuclear program. That's something that Netanyahu has told
him in their conversations, but at the same time, I think he's serious about not dragging the U.S. into a prolonged conflict, which was a promise
he made to his voters on the campaign trail and now seems to be sort of the -- what the U.S. is trying to do as it comes up with its options here.
[18:05:00]
The president I think trying to find something that he can do that isn't necessarily going to put the U.S. into a war for years and years to come.
And the example that you continue to hear over and over again from White House officials behind the scenes is the 2020 assassination of Qasem
Soleimani, the Iranian general. At the time that was seen as a major escalatory step, but it didn't, in the end, lead to a prolonged war between
the U.S. and Iraq.
And I think there is a desire, and you hear it gaining steam behind the scenes, that the U.S. could do something similar this time, not necessarily
in assassination. We've heard the president rule out killing the supreme leader of Iran, but some sort of discreet strike that would prevent the
U.S. from getting dragged in. I think the question is whether that option really exists. Does Iran retaliate in a way that would put U.S. service
people at risk? Does a potential U.S. action just cause things to deteriorate further in the region? Those are all, I think, the inputs that
the president is now assessing as he nears potentially a final decision on this.
HILL: Yes, absolutely. And, Kevin, as you talk about, you know, cracking that window that is still, in theory, open when it comes to perhaps a
diplomatic resolution. We also have the French president today in a statement from the Elysee, saying that he wants there to be some sort of a
diplomatic agreement to end this between Israel and Iran. The statement actually highlighting these military operations that I'm quoting here,
saying they carry heavy threats to regional, security and that he wants his foreign minister to engage European partners to negotiate some sort of a
proposal to end this conflict right now between Israel and Iran. Is the White House commenting on that at all?
LIPTAK: Well, I think the White House has generally discounted these efforts by the Europeans to bring about some sort of solution. And
certainly, we saw that on full display up in Canada at the G7 earlier this week. There was not really a sense that President Trump was putting much
stock in the efforts by the Europeans to come up with one, a consensus agreement between all of the countries there about de-escalation. But two,
the idea that they would play a role in this.
And remember, the Europeans obviously had a major part in the original Iran nuclear deal, negotiated in the Obama era that Trump later withdrew from.
As he sort of started these negotiations with the Iranians, when he came back into office this time around, the Europeans were largely left on the
sidelines. And so, I think it ending -- finding a solution. curbing around nuclear ambitions I think is something that President Trump very much wants
to take credit for. And if he sees alternative efforts underway, I'm not sure that he would be fully on board with their efforts to do that.
And in fact, you've seen this very sort of acrimonious back and forth between the president and the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, about
something Macron said as Trump was departing the G7, suggesting that the president was looking for a ceasefire. President Trump sort of still
thinking about that today, saying that ceasefire is not a word that's in his lexicon at the moment.
And so, I think you do see a sense that they're discounting these alternative ways to bring this to an end. The president, very much of the
mind that he's the one and only person who will be able to resolve this, diplomatically or militarily.
HILL: Well, we will watch and see how that plays out. Kevin, appreciate the reporting as always. Thank you.
Well, in Tehran, many residents of course have been attempting to flee the Iranian capital as Israel continues to target the city. Safety concerns
only growing after President Trump had warned to evacuate immediately. Fred Pleitgen is currently the only western journalist inside Iran, and he filed
this report from Tehran just a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We've been both hearing and seeing anti-aircraft fire in the skies over Tehran. Also, some
pretty loud thuds could be heard as well. It's unclear whether or not those are possible airstrikes or maybe even interceptions by the air defense
forces here.
But one thing that is clear going through the streets of Tehran is that they are pretty empty and most of the shops are also closed. As we were
driving into the city, we did see a decent amount of traffic going in the other direction trying to get out of town, and we know that a lot of people
have left town since the Israeli airstrikes began here. But at the same time, the traffic was still somewhat flowing.
One of the other things that we noticed as well, and we did dry through a substantial part of Iran to get to this place is that in many other places,
it appears to be almost business as usual. There were a lot of cars on the road. There were factories that appeared to be working. Also, a lot of
trucks that were driving on the street as well. And folks that we spoke to on the ground were basically saying they were just trying to get by and
continue the way that they had been before.
Nevertheless, of course, people here in Tehran understand that the situation for them could be dangerous and many have actually left the city.
And this comes as the Iranians are vowing to fight on. The supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he came out and said that Iran and the
Iranian nation would never surrender.
[18:10:00]
Of course, what the Iranians have been doing is in the face of the airstrikes that have been coming in, have been lobbying their missiles
towards Israeli territory.
Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Tehran.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HILL: Well, as the U.S. considers whether to join Israel in striking Iran's key nuclear facilities, the focus is on that heavily fortified
Fordow fuel enrichment plant. Attacking that facility, which is deep underground, would require those so-called bunker buster bombs. As for the
aftermath of such a strike, experts tell CNN damaging Fordow likely cause a limited localized radiation leak, but not a catastrophic event.
Tom Karako is the director of the Missile Defense Project and a senior fellow with the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic
and International Studies. It's good to have you here this hour. Do you agree with that assessment in terms of what the aftermath of a strike would
be?
TOM KARAKO, DIRECTOR, MISSILE DEFENSE PROJECT, CSIS: Well, I think first and foremost, the aftermath of a strike on Fordow is to get rid of the
enrichment capability that also has the potential for future environmental impact improvements because after all we're concerned about the nuclear
weapons development here and the environmental impact of that.
Secondly, in terms of the radiation, both the good news and the bad news is that Fordow is under a mountain. The reason it's bad news is it's hard to
get to. That's why the Iranians put it there. But the good news in terms of specific questions you asked is that if you can crack the mountain and bury
it, then it has the benefit of being under a mountain at that point and the various radial active materials being under the mountain.
HILL: So, just, you know, me over here, the layman. So, just to pick up on that. So, if it was done correctly, because this is already deep
underground, it could essentially be contained?
KARAKO: Yes, precisely because it's a couple hundred feet underground. Granted there may be tunnels and such that come up and presumably -- I
wouldn't be surprised if those tunnels frankly haven't already been targeted from the outside by the Israelis. What is needed here is for, as
you noted earlier, the bunker busters to actually get the facility that is several hundred feet underground.
HILL: What was specifically destroyed in Natanz and how much do you believe that has perhaps crippled the program?
KARAKO: Yes. So, look, those are a little more -- or softer targets and other components of the program. But the difference and the kind of the
unique feature of the Fordow is that that's really where most of the enrichment and the higher percentage enrichment is going on. And so, it has
a really a differentiated importance to ending the program once and for all.
HILL: When we talk about where things stand, the -- you know, President Trump said earlier today, he thought that Iran was basically a few weeks
away from having a nuclear weapon. That is not what we have heard, of course, from the Intelligence Community. What is the overall understanding
at this point of just how close Iran would be? Because our reporting was, it could be three years, right? They could have been three years away at
this point from being to a point where there is a functional nuclear weapon that could hit a target.
KARAKO: Yes. I think there's been actually some substantial counter indications on that point, yes, the Israelis are one source of that, but
CENTCOM has kind of -- has been reporting that is kind of CENTCOM's understanding that this could be a much shorter window of time, that they
have already kind of produced the material that they need to just sort of assemble it and turn some screws, that sort of thing. That's the sort of
thing that's, you know, frankly, this is why the contingency plans exist. This is why they've been there for years. Haven't wanted to go this way in
the hopes that Iran would not continue to make those advances. The IAEA recently has kind of been warning in recent weeks that, no kidding, the
Iranians are making progress in this front. So, I think actually the -- there's more indications than not that there's been continued advance.
HILL: All right. We'll continue to follow it. Really appreciate your insight. Thank you.
KARAKO: Thank you.
HILL: Well, as the world waits to see what President Trump will in fact decide, Prime Minister Benjamin at was confirming he and Mr. Trump have
been in regular contact.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): I would like to thank President Trump, a great friend of the State of Israel. I
thank him for standing alongside us and I thank him for the support of the U.S. in assisting and defending the skies over Israel. We speak frequently,
including last night. We had a very warm conversation. I thanked President Trump for his backing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Clarissa Ward joins us now from Tel Aviv where she's been taking shelter at different points of sirens ring out across the city. Clarissa,
just bring us up to speed. What is happening there in Israel at this hour?
CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: So, Erica, it was just over an hour ago that we heard the sirens everyone rushed into the
shelter, as is typical only.
[18:15:00]
What was interesting is that this time, this barrage was actually just a few missiles, and that's significant because we are definitely seeing a
dramatic reduction in the number of missiles that Iran is seemingly is able or choosing to fire off.
If you think back to the first night in this chapter of the conflict, there were roughly 200 that were fired off. And then last night, 30. The night
before, 30. So, we're certainly seeing a degradation apparently in Iran's capacity according to the Israeli air force, that's because of roughly 40
percent, again, this is their claim, we can't verify it, of Iranian missile launch pads have been destroyed.
Nonetheless, though, what we have seen, Erica, is that even though people are starting to relax a little bit into this new normal, and today it was
announced, there'll be a phased reopening of the economy. A lot of workplaces and shops reopening. Still, there is a real impetus on
maintaining vigilance and that's particularly the case at the hospitals.
We spent the last two nights at the Ichilov Hospital here in Tel Aviv with Dr. Daniel Trotzky, who's the head of emergency medicine. And so we got to
see firsthand what that looks like. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANIEL TROTZKY, HEAD OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE, ICHILOV HOSPITAL: This is the emergency OA operation headquarters.
WARD: OK.
TROTZKY: We are currently underground. Two levels below the ground. This area is missile protected. And this is where we're going to be located
until an event happens, if happens.
Currently, in the underground hospital, we have 600 hospitalized patients.
WARD: 600 patients underground?
TROTZKY: Yes, we are probably the first or one of the first hospitals in the modern history that all the hospitalized patients are in an underground
missile protected area. And this is crucial to understand because when we have an alert coming in, no one needs to run for shelter. Everybody is
protected.
And we actually transformed four underground floors from an active parking lot to a functioning hospital.
WARD: In how long?
TROTZKY: In seven hours.
WARD: In seven hours?
TROTZKY: So, yes, in seven hours. With a lot of help from our amazing staff.
WARD: Is there anything you can't do down here that you can do up there in terms of procedures, operations, treatment?
TROTZKY: No. Everything we have. We have operation rooms, delivery rooms, different wards, intensive care, neonatal, ICU. Everything is functioning
underground. It's busy. It's busy. But I think that our patients are quite happy because they feel safe.
WARD: Sirens have gone off. They're now closing that door that effectively makes this a shelter now. And as soon as they have a sense of where those
strikes hit and who will be coming in, they'll start to receive the patients and any casualties that may be coming in.
So, they've been given the all clear. the number of missiles being fired the last couple of nights by Iran is getting less and less with fewer
impacts and no reported casualties. But still, Ichilov Hospital has to be prepared every time for the worst-case scenario.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WARD: And, Erica, everybody here and across the region and indeed the world now waiting and watching closely to see what President Trump will
announce, what he has decided with regards to a more forceful U.S. intervention.
In this conflict, worth noting, as I'm sure our viewers are aware, that the U.S. embassy here is closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. That seemingly
somewhat unusual, particularly given how many Americans are stranded here in Israel and are looking for help to try to get back to the U.S. So,
fueling speculation that potentially there could be a further escalation in this conflict.
Publicly, Israeli officials only saying that they're grateful for the defensive support that the U.S. has given so far, but privately saying that
they are hopeful that President Trump will decide to intervene. So, everybody waiting to see what comes next, Erica.
HILL: Yes, absolutely. And so, much riding on that decision. Clarissa, appreciate it. Thank you.
Well, as Israel trades rocket fire with Iran, the fighting continues in Gaza. Local health officials there say Israeli forces killed at least 140
people in 24 hours. On Tuesday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health accused Israel of opening fire on people waiting for trucks in Khan Younis, killing
at least 51 people and injuring more than 200 others. It is one of the deadliest incidents reported in recent weeks of people killed while seeking
aid. The IDF says the details of the incident are under review.
[18:20:00]
Meantime, a doctor at Gaza's Nasser Medical Complex is warning of a dire lack of baby formula, seeing some premature infants and newborns are now
facing an imminent risk of death. Ricardo Pires is joining us now from UNICEF. UNICEF, as I understand it, you still have several dozen staff in
Gaza. What are you hearing from them in this moment in terms of the situation that they're facing and how it has changed even in just recent
days?
RICARDO PIRES, SPOKESPERSON, UNICEF: Erica, things are only changing for the worst. Children in Gaza right now are at the lowest point in terms of
wellbeing and even hope that one day this horror will end for them. We're 600 days plus into this conflict, 20 months of unrelenting war and
displacement and bombardments and starvation and lack of water. They lack everything right now. They're been suffering for way too long.
And as I said before, the situation now is that it's worse. So, it's difficult for us to assess how this is going to move forward. We still have
staff on the ground. We're still delivering the little we have and the little we can with very complex logistics on the ground and actually under
threat. But if we don't get a ceasefire soon, if we don't go back to the table and negotiate, and if parties through the conflict don't decide that
it's enough suffering for children, it will only get worse if that's even imaginable.
HILL: Do you worry that the current conflict between Israel and Iran has sidelined perhaps those concerns and the urgency in Gaza?
PIRES: Absolutely. I mean, at least in terms of public attention what's happening in Iran now, and it's very concerning, the escalation that has
happened between Israel and Iran. And we succumb what the SG, our secretary general said today, let's de-escalate, let's refrain from any further
military engagement. But on top of the risks for the people in Iran and Israel, of course, the conflict in Gaza becomes sidelined and people turn
their attention to what's happening in another country in the region without understanding that there is a wider impact that that conflict could
also have in Gaza and in other countries in the region.
So, the horror in Gaza, as I said, 600 days plus and growing and we're hearing from children getting injured and killed while trying to
desperately get food so their families won't starve. And if that story doesn't catch the world's attention, we're in a very dark place for
humanity.
HILL: Yes, it certainly makes you wonder. Can you put into perspective for us how this, you know, GHF distribution model has changed, not only the
delivery of aid, but the access to it?
PIRES: It's worsened in every possible aspect that you look at it. It's not a humanitarian operation. Humanitarian aid and delivery operates under
very basic humanitarian principles of impartiality, independence, and humanity. None of those are being part of this plan that is being rolled
out by the global -- by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation right now.
And moreover, it's a militarized zone. You only have four distribution points against at least 400 that the U.N. had previously. And these
militarized zones, distribution points are attracting desperate populations, starving people, including children. And in the middle of
that, there's shooting and chaos.
We have the story of a 13-year-old boy, Abed Al-Rahman (ph), who died yesterday morning. And we visited him in the hospital. He survived while
trying to go to one of these distribution points and got hit by shrapnel from a tank shell. And he couldn't survive his wounds because there was no
medication for him that the hospital was barely functioning and we couldn't medevac him. So, he eventually perished. He died. He couldn't survive the
deadly wounds that were inflicted on him while he was trying to get food for his family. And that's just one story. We know that there are many
more. And that paints the whole picture of how this operation is going.
HILL: Yes. A picture that is sobering, to put it mildly. Ricardo Pires, appreciate you taking the time to join us tonight and all your efforts
there on the ground. Thank you. And we'll be right back
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:25:00]
HILL: Welcome back to "The Brief." A bit of a choppy day on Wall Street as investors continue to watch the conflict, of course, between Iran and
Israel. And there was also on this Wednesday, the latest Fed policy statement to digest. Wall Street finishing Wednesday's session mostly
lower, as you see there. A little bit of green though for the NASDAQ. Tech stocks saw modest gains. Oil prices pulling back too despite that threat to
energy supplies should the Middle East conflict worsen.
As for the Fed, the U.S. Central Bank keeping interest rates unchanged, that was expected. New projections show that most Fed officials still see
two interest rate cuts this year, but fewer cuts than expected next year. Officials also see inflation moving higher and economic growth a bit weaker
due to the ongoing tariff uncertainties.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell said at his news conference, it is still too soon to cut rates because we need more clarity when it comes to tariffs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEROME POWELL, U.S. FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIR: The amount of the tariff effects, the size of the tariff effects, their duration and the time it
will take are all highly uncertain. So, that is why we think the appropriate thing to do is to hold where we are as we learn more. And we
think our policy stance is in a good place where. We're well positioned to react to incoming developments.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Well, while the chair may enjoy his patience, it is not sitting well, of course, with President Trump, who earlier today lashed out once
again at the Fed chair for not cutting rates sooner.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: We have a stupid person, frankly, at the Fed. He probably won't cut today. Europe had 10 cuts and we had none, and I
guess he's a political guy. I don't know. He's a political guy who's not a smart person. But he's costing the country a fortune.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Robert Thummel joins me now. He's managing director and senior portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital. Good to have you with us. In terms
of what we saw from the Fed, did this really come as a surprise to anyone?
ROBERT THUMMEL, SENIOR PORTFOLIO MANAGER, TORTOISE CAPITAL: No, Erica, I don't think so. I think the expectation was widely that there would be no
changes in interest rates this time. And obviously, everybody was interested in what the dot plot or what the expectation is here for the
rest of the year. And maybe a little bit of a surprise that it still looks like there could be the potential for two rate cuts by the end of the year,
which I think -- we'll see how that plays out.
HILL: Yes. I have to say that surprised me a little bit as well. Thinking we're halfway through the year, maybe two rate cuts. I don't know. I was
also struck by the fact that Powell was noting that there is still some concern because of the uncertainty when it comes to tariffs. And he
specifically was talking about a number of goods being sold at retailers today that were likely imported several months ago.
[18:30:00]
And so, we find ourselves in the place that we've been at, frankly, since April 2nd in terms of when will the impact of these tariffs really hit, if
in fact we haven't seen it yet. Was there anything that you heard from the Fed chair today that changed that calculus from anyone that you've been
speaking with?
THUMMEL: No, I don't think so. I think uncertainty is the key term that you described. And I think the -- really across the world, obviously,
there's a lot of uncertainty right now and I think that's what the Fed is dealing with. And clearly, that's a difficult position to be in if you're
Jerome Powell and the remaining Fed governors as they evaluate, you know, what next step to take and what impact that's going to have -- all the
uncertainties going to have on the global economy, on the U.S. economy, obviously, which is their focus and on things like full unemployment and
inflation as well.
HILL: Yes. Making very clear -- the Fed chair making very clear his focus was on that. When we look at what else is coming down the pike, and we talk
about more uncertainty, there is understandably a fair amount of concern when it comes to oil and the price of oil given the conflict right now
between Israel and Iran, so much of the global oil supply, I believe it's about a quarter, right, flows through the Strait of Hormuz. How concerned
are you in this moment?
THUMMEL: Yes, I'm not concerned about that right now. And -- but that is very important. You know, I've been -- we've been studying the energy
sector at Tortoise for 30 years, and the Strait of Hormuz is always important. You know, oil is so foundational to the global economy. It's
really essential. And a lot of oil, as you just highlighted, comes through the Strait of Hormuz.
So, if that strait would somehow be blocked for an extended duration of time, it would create an immediate energy crisis. Now, we don't think that
that's going to happen. We think the odds are very, very low. It's not zero, but it's very, very low that that would happen. But it's a very
important point. And really the distribution of crude oil across the world. And oil is still a relevant and important fuel supply source for lots of
countries around the world.
HILL: Yes, absolutely. One we'll continue to watch closely. And again, watching that uncertainty, of course, which exists for the oil market as
well at this point. Robert Thummel, appreciate your insight. Thank you.
THUMMEL: Thank you.
HILL: Still to come here, President Trump debating whether to join Israel's fight as the U.S. military also prepares getting in place for a
potential conflict. We'll take a closer look at that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:35:00]
HILL: Welcome back to "The Brief." I'm Erica Hill. Here's a look at some of the headlines we're following today. U.S. President Trump returning on
Wednesday to the White House Situation Room as he weighs U.S. military involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran. Iran's supreme leader
warning, any intervention by the U.S. will be met with irreparable damage.
The U.S. Supreme Court upholding a Tennessee law that bans minors from getting gender affirming care like puberty blockers and hormone therapy.
There are 26 states in the U.S. where this kind of care is currently banned by state law for children.
And one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes showing off the power of nature might -- Mount, rather, Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted on Tuesday,
sending ash nearly seven kilometers into the sky. The orange mushroom shaped cloud, as you see there, actually engulfed a nearby village.
Officials are now urging tourists to stay away from the area. The eruption also forced airlines to cancel dozens of flights to and from Bali.
President Trump says he's still deciding whether the U.S. should join Israel's conflict with Iran. However, as he weighs that decision, American
troops are already being mobilized to the region. Three aircraft carriers are expected to be either in or near the region as soon as next week,
according to three people familiar with the matter. The carrier strike groups are often the first to deploy in times of crisis, capable of course,
of intercepting a variety of threats or even spearheading attacks.
Sabrina Singh is a former deputy Pentagon press secretary and joins me now, Sabrina. Good to have you here. As we look at where things stand in this
moment, do you have a sense, and I say this knowing of course, that you are not in the administration nor talking to President Trump, but as you're
watching what is unfolding here, even the fact that we know the embassy is closed at this point for the next three days, what does that tell you about
what could possibly be coming in terms of a timeframe?
SABRINA SINGH, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS COMMENTATOR AND FORMER DEPUTY PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY: You know, it's hard to say. You know, I think there's a -
- I think what the embassy is doing and what this administration is doing is taking the necessary precautions needed to protect Americans. That is
always going to be the first priority of any administration.
So, by closing the embassy, by getting Americans out of Israel, by getting embassy staff, you know, I saw that there was a reportedly a flight that
left with embassy staff, that's one of the first steps because we don't know the decision that President Trump's going to make and the retaliation
from Iran, what that could mean for Americans, not just in Israel, but you have to think of our military members all across the Middle East in
different bases serving and their families.
And so, if Iran were to respond it's also -- you know, they could be targeted as well. So, I think what the administration is doing is getting
Americans out of harm's way that want to leave the country and they are positioning, as you mentioned, three different carriers in the region,
which it really shows -- it's an incredible presence of power. I mean, you have incredible naval assets that go along with those carriers. That sends
a huge message to the region and particularly Iran that the administration is taking the words and rhetoric coming out of Iran very seriously.
HILL: It is a striking sort of show of force and unwritten sign, right, or unspoken sign, I should say. The president has not fully closed the door to
some sort of a diplomatic solution. We see even President Macron, otherwise, my colleague Kevin Liptak at the White House pointed out, this
is not something where President Trump, and I'm paraphrasing here, necessarily wants help on, right? He wants to be the one to get this done.
Whatever he decides in his mind, whether that be to pursue some sort of talks with Iran, pursue something in the diplomatic lane or in fact to join
forces with Israel and perhaps attack in Iran.
How important is it that the message be out there, that there is the potential for a diplomatic solution in this moment?
SINGH: Yes, it's incredibly important to keep the diplomatic option on the table. It's ultimately going to be through diplomacy that this escalation
of tensions, this war that's breaking out between Israel and Iran comes to a close. And ultimately, the goal here is to ensure that Iran never gets a
nuclear weapon. And that can only be reached through diplomatic measures.
[18:40:00]
Even if the United States continues or, you know, partners with Israel on strikes against its nuclear facilities, bombing Iran into submission is
only going to make them come back with, you know, potentially a greater vengeance.
So, you really want to see an off-ramp here. And the off-ramp is through diplomacy. And you know, frankly, in the first Trump administration, you
know, we did have a nuclear deal where we did see the enrichment of uranium going down. We did see Iran willing to negotiate on this. Of course, you
know, Donald Trump pulled the United States out of that deal. And now, here we are back at the drawing table. And I think this is a moment, you know,
Iran is economically and militarily weakened at this point. This is a moment to leverage that and to bring Iran back to the negotiating table.
HILL: I mean, do you believe based on your experience that this is truly an option at this point, that the two could end up back at the negotiating
table?
SINGH: Look, Iran, it's air defenses -- you know, a majority of their air defenses, some of which, you know, protect some of their -- those nuclear
sites have essentially been eliminated. They are now looking at their arsenal and weighing how much they have left, ballistic missiles, cruise
missiles, whatever it might be how many drones they have left. And they are going to have to weigh, their leadership is going to have to weigh, is this
worth it? Can we continue to expend this military capacity at the same rate that Israel was -- is?
And you know, you're already seeing less strikes going into Israel for these past few days. So, that is a calculation that is -- that ultimately
Iran is going to have to make. But you are seeing an incredibly weakened Iran.
And so, is this a time for them to come back to the negotiating table? I think this is absolutely a moment where Iran has the opportunity to take
this off-ramp and to do it quickly.
HILL: Sabrina Singh, appreciate it. Thank you. Still to come here, an alarming new report on the mental health risks for kids who spend too much
time online in certain ways. And it's important to note, this is not just about screen time. What parents need to know about the harmful effects of
addiction, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HILL: The return of the WNBA reigniting excitement, bringing huge attention to the incredible strength and powerhouse that is women's
basketball. But many players and fans also say they're really witnessing a transformative moment when it comes to the sport's future. Here's Don
Riddell with the details.
[18:45:00]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT (voice-over): Caitlyn Clark is back on court after missing five games through injury and all the hoopla has returned to.
She says the excitement, which seems to follow her every move in the WNBA has taken even her by surprise.
CAITLYN CLARK, INDIANA FEVER: I always dreamed of playing in this league. I dreamed in playing in front of big crowds. I think it being on the
magnitude that it is kind of hard to imagine.
RIDDELL (voice-over): Clark's Indiana fever teammates are adjusting to the intensity of the spotlight too. A league that was founded almost 30 years
ago has often struggled to generate much interest, but early season games this year have felt more like championship deciders.
LEXIE HULL, INDIANA FEVER: Playing in front of 17,000 people a few times a week. I mean, that's like you would've told me that four years ago, I
wouldn't have believed you. So, we're just really lucky to be here.
DEWANNA BONNER, INDIANA FEVER: I was feel a little shellshocked. You're seeing it on TV, but to be in it, to have all those team -- those fans
screaming for you it's a pretty cool experience. But as a player, it's kind of like, whoa, you kind of got to get used to it a little bit.
STEPHANIE WHITE, INDIANA FEVER COACH: Yes, it's really incredible. You know, I've been a part of this league for 25 years. To see the growth, to
see what's happening now is something that all of us who were very early in the WNBA envisioned. And now, it's moving the needle in ways that that we
had always hoped. So, it's really exciting and I'm thankful that I'm still a part of it.
RIDDELL (voice-over): Packed into the arenas of fans, both female and male, young and old. Clark is leading a revolution in women's sports and
inspiring the next generation of female athletes.
KAMRYN THOMAS, 11-YEAR-OLD FAN: I think both of our dreams is to be in the WNBA and I feel like both of us just admired basketball so much that
watching everyone in the WNBA is just so exciting.
STEPHANE THOMAS, KAMRYN'S MOTHER: I've explained that to her. I grew up playing college basketball and it was never like this. Caitlyn Clark has
delivered something to women's sports that I don't think anybody else could deliver. And I think she's got a lot of women excited to see the future of
their athlete daughters.
HULL: This is actually a real option for players and for girls. And now, for girls to get to see us doing this, they can have these dreams as in
first grade and second grade. And see, I want to be a basketball player, and that's a legitimate goal to have.
I just can't imagine what the sport's going to look like to five, 10 years from now when players have been playing with that goal in mind for 15
years, they're going to be so good.
RIDDELL (voice-over): Meanwhile, this Indiana team is trying to navigate its way through the circus and focus on a championship bid, but they all
can see the bigger picture for their sport, even if they can't quite imagine what the future will now look like.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HILL: Be sure to stay with CNN much more ahead on the other side of a quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HILL: There is a new warning from researchers about children and time on screens. It's a study just published in the Journal of American Medicine,
which links the addictive use of social media, video games, and also mobile phones.
[18:50:00]
And as it followed, for four years, kids took a look at the increase in mental health risks, including suicidal thoughts and suicidal ideation.
Now, one of the authors says, parents really need to monitor kids entering adolescents for addiction in this case. Seek professional help if they spot
a problem.
Here to walk us through some of those findings as Dr. John Mann. He's a study senior leader and a professor of neuroscience at Columbia University.
Dr. Mann, it's good to have you with us. So, you know, as I looked at this and I was reading through it, one of the things that struck me is you
characterize addictive use as excessive use that interferes with schoolwork, with home responsibilities, with other activities. The fact
that that addictive use really shot up for a lot of these kids over the four years of their study, what do you attribute that to?
DR. JOHN MANN, NEUROSCIENCE PROFESSOR, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY: Well, part of the reason that this happens is that more the kid is exposed to this kind
of medium the more likely the addiction is to develop. But actually, the kids fell into three groups. In one group, the addiction was quite
pronounced already at the age of 10. You know, in another group, the addiction levels were really low. And throughout the study, the four years
or so of the study, it didn't get worse than the kids where it was already bad and it didn't get worse than the kids where it was very low.
But there was a third group, which could form up to one-third of all the kids where they started out low and then over the four years it became
progressively higher. Now, this actually accounted for quite a substantial group. And that group went from low risk to high risk. And in those high
addiction groups, the -- a risk of suicidal behavior is over twice what it is in the low addiction group.
HILL: What is it that caused that spike in the group, that caused the addiction rate to move so much higher and then, in turn, where you saw all
these concerns, these mental health concerns and concerns about suicidal thoughts?
DR. MANN: No one's entirely sure. The pattern of development of addictive behaviors in people and kids varies a lot from person to person or kid to
kid. It's partly genetic. It's partly what other exposures they've had to addictives -- other addictions earlier on. But there's definitely at least
a genetic component that sets the level of addiction susceptibility. And so, we think that one group is really susceptible because they have full on
addiction at the age of 10, another group takes time to develop it.
HILL: Most of the research, as you point out, has focused primarily on total screen time as opposed to your work, which was looking specifically
at the nature of the screen time, how it evolves over time. So, in these separate groups, looking at mobile phones, social media, and video games.
When parents are trying to take all of this information in, figure out what to do with it, for not only their kids, but maybe themselves as well, what
is your advice to parents?
DR. MANN: Well, the -- it's clearly important to try and evaluate whether the kid has an addictive pattern of use or not, because there are many
useful ways in which the phone can be helpful to the kid. And they may not be involved addiction use. So, it might differentiate these different types
of usages are really important.
Just the time on the phone, in our study, did not correlate with the risk of suicidal behavior four years later. But the addiction pattern level
absolutely did show that correlation. It showed more than doubling of the risk.
HILL: I know you point out -- we're a little set on time, but you point out that for parents they should be looking out for these signs of
addiction and then get their children help, have them treatment for addiction if they notice it. What does that treatment look like? Because I
think for most people, they think of addiction and they may think of someone with a drug addiction and alcohol addiction, and what that
therapeutic help can look like. Is it the same?
DR. MANN: Well, the fact of the matter is that at this point, now we realize that time is not the answer for everybody. The total amount of
time, it's really the type of usage. There are cognitive therapy types of addiction management that can be tested in a bunch of kids. What you're now
-- what is now needed are clinical trials to test these kinds of cognitive therapy addiction approaches to see if they can make a significant
difference to the level of addiction use in these kids, and then in turn, will that affect the later risk for suicidal behavior.
[18:55:00]
You have to remember that 5 percent of these kids in the fourth year of this study made a suicide attempt. This is a very serious problem, but we
need to evaluate the tests, not just -- you know, not implement any treatment that comes off the shelf.
HILL: Right. So, this is -- in many ways, this is step one, right? Understanding the problem and as we look forward to treatment and figuring
out how to deal with it. Dr. John Mann, appreciate you joining us. I appreciate your work as well. Thank you.
DR. MANN: Thank you.
HILL: In today's Good Brief, it may have been considered a mission impossible, but for Tom Cruise, is there really any such thing? Apparently
not. The Hollywood legend now appearing in "Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning" will receive an honorary Oscar later this year. He's actually
been nominated four times for an Oscar, but has never won. He's not the only star, though set to get a shiny new statue. Dolly Parton, production
designer Wynn Thomas and choreographer Debbie Allen will also be receiving the awards. Congrats to all those winners who, as one of our writers noted,
are all top guns for "The Brief." See what we did there.
Thanks for your company this hour. I'm Erica Hill joining you from New York. Stay with CNN. Our coverage continues after a quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[19:00:00]
END
