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The Story Is with Elex Michaelson

Trump Extends U.S. Ceasefire With Iran Indefinitely; Kevin Warsh Says He Won't Do Trump's Bidding; FBI Now Investigating Cases Of Missing Scientists; Iranian Gunboat Targets Container Ship Off Oman Coast; Jamaica's Recovery Six Months After Cat 5 Storm; CNN Speaks to Group Behind Iranian LEGO-Style Videos; U.K. Bill Bans Tobacco Sales to Anyone Born after 2008; Britain Marks Queen Elizabeth II's 100th Birthday; Celebration of Life Planned 10 Years after Prince's Death; Lakers Take Two-Game Lead over Rockets; 2026 NFL Draft. Aired 1-2a ET

Aired April 22, 2026 - 01:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[01:00:10]

ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Good news for seafood lovers. Red Lobster's endless shrimp deal is coming back. It's surprising move because the promotion has been a money loser for the restaurant.

Many blamed it for causing Red Lobster's bankruptcy two years ago. And when that happened, endless shrimp went away. But the all you can eat deal also draws customers in restaurants. Executives hope to manage it better this time around by making it a limited time offer and raising the price to $25.

How much shrimp can you really eat? Thanks for watching. The next hour of The Story Is starts right now.

The story is truce extended. President Trump says he is extending the ceasefire with Iran. Story is help needed. Six months after Hurricane Melissa, we take you to Jamaica.

And the story is NBA playoffs. What's next after a wild and surprising night of basketball.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Live from Los Angeles, The Story Is with Elex Michelson.

MICHAELSON: Thanks so much for joining us on The Story Is. I'm Elex Michaelson live in Los Angeles.

Tonight the top story is President Trump extending the ceasefire with Iran. The president posting on social media that his administration is waiting for a unified proposal from the Iranian government. But he added that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports will remain. A White House official Says Vice President JD Vance expected trip to Islamabad to lead the second round of peace talks was called off after the announcement. Despite the uncertainty, here's what President Trump had to say.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDNET: We're not dealing with the nicest group of people, but we're dealing with them very successfully and the blockade has been a tremendous success. They said two days ago we will open the strait. I said, no, we're not going to open the strait until we have a final deal. No, we want to open the strait is that we're not opening. We totally control the strait. Just so you understand.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: Let's bring in CNN's Will Ripley live for us from Taipei. Will, what is the latest?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it was reassuring for many around the world to hear those words from President Trump, in contrast with the interview that he gave to CNBC earlier in the day where he said, I expect to be bombing. That's a quote, if Iran didn't agree to U.S. demands. So obviously there's no bombing. The fragile ceasefire, as you said, holds for now.

But also there's no deal yet or any sign really when there will be one. There still obviously is a lot of sunshine between what the United States wants and what Iran wants. President Trump saying that he extended the ceasefire at the very last minute after a request from Pakistan, which has been the mediator in these talks. They're asking for some breathing room for both sides to work out a deal, a possible deal.

But there's still really no confirmation of if or when talks will be happening in Pakistan. Apparently, one reason is that Iran is just not fully on board. President Trump alluded to that when he talked about the need for a unified proposal within the Iranian government. Key issues, of course, Elex, you know them well.

The big one is Iran's nuclear program. Also the blockade that the United States has imposed on the Strait of Hormuz, in addition to Iran's asymmetric capabilities, which have basically allowed them to grind traffic to a standstill because oil tankers and cargo ships understandably, don't want to risk running into mines or being attacked in other ways. So the gridlock continues, but again, at least there's no bombing at this stage.

MICHAELSON: And that's a pretty important thing. Meanwhile, you know, you're in Asia. We're hearing reaction from Europe, kind of. What's the rest of the world saying to what President Trump is doing?

RIPLEY: Yes, in recent days, there's been some discussion. You know, you mentioned Europe, you know, the United Kingdom and France leading this multinational effort, talking about 30 different countries after there is a sustained ceasefire. So they still feel that right now the situation is too volatile.

But after a sustained ceasefire, they're talking about setting up this coalition where they would send in primarily autonomous technology, so like mine hunting drones, to remove the mines that are in the strait, also to escort warships, potentially to escort tankers and cargo ships through the strait safely.

So there is talk now, and not just in Europe, by the way, but also South Korea, Australia, Japan, the UAE, all talking about being part of this coalition to get the traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz.

Eventually, and interestingly, we have just heard in recent days for the first time, Chinese leader Xi Jinping speaking directly about the Strait of Hormuz. Let me read you just a quick piece of his conversation with the Saudi crown prince. This is a quote now.

[01:05:00]

President Xi telling Prince Mohammed that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open to normal navigation, which is in the common interest, he says, of regional countries and the international community. Interesting to hear him saying that publicly because obviously we know, Elex, that China and Iran are very close. Iran is actually Beijing's closest ally in the Middle East, but at the same time, Beijing also has very close economic ties with other nations in the Middle East that have been very badly affected by this war.

So China is trying to kind of walk that delicate line of diplomacy, not to alienate Iran, but also to say basically, look, Iran needs to stop attacking ships and the U.S. needs to stop its blockade so that the traffic can get moving through the Strait again.

I mean, that's clearly the main issue that countries here in my region in Asia are watching very closely because they're just in some cases a matter of days before they could run out of oil that they need for everything, transportation, energy, even carbon cooking. I mean, the list goes on.

MICHAELSON: Yes. And of course there's the public comments from China and then there may be different private comments from China as well. Will Ripley starting us off in Taipei, thank you so much.

Back here in Los Angeles, joined live now by Benjamin Radd, Senior Fellow at the UCLA Berkle Center for International Relations, teaching this semester over at USC. Great to have you back.

You're our go to guy to sort of explain all of this stuff. Let's start with explaining this. How does Iran actually get its oil?

BEJAMIN RADD, SENIOR FELLOW AT THE UCLA BERKLE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: So Iran produces oil. It has refineries. And the problem Iran has is that the oil that it needs to fuel cars, gasoline, it cannot produce in sufficient quantities. So it actually needs to import some of that from other places, including Saudi Arabia, other Gulf states.

Iran is now running at a deficit for that. It cannot bring in any oil because there's a blockade. So you're going to start seeing shortages. It's tapping into its reserve, but that's not going to last for more than a few weeks.

And meanwhile it's producing oil that it can't export. So it's sitting in these -- in these storage containers and its wells are going to be empty because they can't fill storage containers because they have nowhere to go. And so those can cause shutdowns, breakdowns of the machinery that takes months, if not years to replace at a huge cost. So this is a lot of dysfunction.

MICHAELSON: Because that machinery sort of is required to constantly be going.

RADD: Exactly.

MICHAELSON: And if it stops, it doesn't. Just like a light switch where you turn it back on.

RADD: Exactly. And oil reserves and minerals, they solidify in the rock. I mean, all kinds of things geologically take place that make it difficult to restart that without huge expense.

MICHAELSON: So it's from what you're saying, it sounds like this U.S. blockade is giving the U.S. Tremendous leverage right now.

RADD: We're not hearing about this, but the economic damage to Iran is $435 million a day, according to a American researcher, Miyat Malaki, who has written about this in Foreign Affairs. And this is something that we need to keep in mind. As much as Iran has leverage over the Strait, it is a self-inflicted wound that is actually working against Iran's own interests.

MICHAELSON: Wow. And so you mentioned timing of a few weeks. I mean, because it sounds like -- because the reporting is, of course, that the U.S. is being hurt so much by the prices of gas and all the rest of that, and that's Iran's big leverage. But this sounds like this is way worse.

RADD: This is why I think the regime is afraid. This is why we're not getting straight answers from their leadership as to what's going on in Pakistan with these talks.

MICHAELSON: Yes.

RADD: Are the Streets open? Are they not? Is there a deal? Is there no deal? What are the terms of the deal? They themselves are sort of paralyzed, I think, by what to do in a way that allows them to maintain leverage and dignity.

MICHAELSON: So where does Iran go from here?

RADD: Well, what I think is the easiest thing for them to do is to say we reopen the Strait, the blockade ends, and we agree on one of President Trump's three conditions. Let's say the enrichment component, enrichment stops, or the existing enriched uranium is set out of the country in some kind of broader international agreement. At least one of those three would give them, I think, some breathing room to at least restart their economy. Otherwise, the domestic issues they had before this war started are going to come right back.

MICHAELSON: Yes. And if they did that, basically, what does the U.S. get out of this war?

RADD: It gets out of the fighting phase and it opens the Strait to traffic and it gets oil prices down and it basically allows for --

MICHAELSON: So all things that were there before the war started. Right?

RADD: Absolutely. So this is not a net victory for President Trump, but at least it gets him out of this immediate crisis, which is one of energy and trade and commerce.

MICHAELSON: Wow. And so what do you make? We just heard of China and of their role in all of this. We see the Europeans are moving on all of this. How is that impacting President Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, the leadership in Iran? How is that impacting everything?

RADD: At what point does the Iranian leadership realize that international pressure, especially from its biggest clients, China being one of the biggest buyers of Iranian oil, mounts and increases to the point where Iran sees that it's effectively going to start losing business?

Will these buyers start going to other suppliers elsewhere if it can no longer rely on Iran or rely on safe passage through the Gulf?

[01:10:05]

This is damage that Iran can't undo easily. And, you know, reputations are easily lost and trust is easily shattered.

MICHAELSON: I don't know why I'm having a flashback to the movie "Syriana." Do you remember that movie with George Clooney where he won the Oscar and it was just all about how the whole world is really just driven by oil and the economies and politics and everything is just about oil.

RADD: And you would think since that time we would have moved on.

MICHAELSON: And they said 100 years from now that you'll be back in the desert essentially.

RADD: Yes.

MICHAELSON: But here we are, like everything in the world. All of this really, it sounds like just comes down to the oil at the end of the day.

RADD: oil and let's not forget also petrochemicals, the things that the petroleum is used to build, plastics and other components that we need. Other things that we use. Absolutely. Yes.

MICHAELSON: Wow. Benjamin Radd from USC and UCLA, thank you so much for the insight. We really appreciate it. My favorite teacher on this topic.

RADD: Thank you.

MICHAELSON: Now to Capitol Hill, where President Trump picked to head up the Federal Reserve says he will not do President Trump's bidding if he is confirmed. Kevin Warsh testified Tuesday before the Senate Banking Committee. He said President Trump had never asked him to commit to lowering interest rates.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KENNEDY (R-LA): Professor, what's the sock puppet?

KEVIN WARSH, FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN NOMINEE: I think it's that thing you stick your hand in.

KENNEDY: Yes, kind of like this. Are you going to be the president's human sock puppet?

WARSH: Senator, absolutely not.

KENNEDY^ Are you going to be anybody's human sock puppet?

WARSH: No.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: Now looming all this is a Justice Department investigation of the current Fed chair, Jerome Powell, who President Trump has said over and over and over and over again publicly should reduce interest rates. Republican Senator Thom Till says he supports -- Thom Tillis, I should say, says he supports Warsh but will block his confirmation unless the probe into Powell is dropped.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN THOM TILLIS (R-NC): The problem that I have here is that we had some U.S. attorney with a dream or assistant U.S. attorney thinking it would be cute to bring Chair Powell under an investigation just a few months before the position was going to be open. Let's get rid of this investigation so I can support your confirmation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: Jerome Powell's term as Fed Chair ends in May.

Now to this, Mexico says it is boosting security after a shooting at Mexico's ancient Teotihuacan pyramids just weeks ahead of the World Cup. A 27-year-old gunman from Mexico shot and killed a Canadian woman and injured several others before taking his own life.

Mexico's attorney general says the attack was premeditated and the suspect acted alone. An eyewitness captured the moments. Tourists ran for their lives after hearing gunshots. One woman told CNN she didn't know what was happening.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARIBEL LUGO, TOURIST GUIDE (through translator): I heard the first bang, but I thought it was a firecracker because there are many small towns and patron saint festivals around there. So I didn't pay much attention. Then seconds later came another one, the second bang. And I said, this isn't a firecracker. This is a gunshot.

But I still thought it might be coming from the surrounding towns. And suddenly, I don't know, something happened. I closed my umbrella and when I looked up toward the top, people started running and jumping off the pyramid. I didn't know what was happening. And suddenly the guy came up to the edge with a gun and started shooting.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: Mexico's president says archaeological sites will now have security checkpoints and that police are increasing World Cup security as a precaution.

The FBI is investigating the deaths or disappearances in recent years of at least 10 scientists connected to sensitive nuclear or aerospace research. Wild story here. The bureau says there are questions about a possible sinister connection among all the cases.

CNN's Natasha Chen reports from here in Los Angeles.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NATASHA CHEN, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The circumstances of these dozen or so people vary widely, from people whose deaths had been publicly reported and explained with suspects arrested, to people whose disappearances truly leave detectives stumped.

I've tried to reach out to as many family members and close friends of these people as I could. And the reactions also range widely from some laughing this off as ridiculous to others hoping a federal investigation will finally give them some answers.

The request for briefings from the FBI, the Defense Department, Department of Energy and NASA comes from the Republican led House Oversight Committee. Here's the committee chair, James Comer.

REP. JAMES COMER (R-KY): When I first heard about this, I thought, well, that can't be true. That sounds like some kind of crazy conspiracy theory. But once you see the facts, it would suggest that something sinister could be happening and it would be a national security concern.

CHEN: But there's nothing sinister in the eyes of Julia Hicks, the daughter of Michael David Hicks, a scientist who died in 2023. He was named in those congressional letters. There were internet rumors stemming from no publicly listed cause of death or available autopsy. But his daughter told me she's the one who found him when he passed and he had known medical issues.

[01:15:02] She said he worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for nearly 25 years on near Earth comets and asteroids and how to deflect them from Earth. Nothing that she feels would put a target on his back. She told me, I can't help but laugh about it, but at the same time it's getting serious, referring to this congressional attention.

And then on the other end of the spectrum, you have disappearances like that of Anthony Chavez, 78 years old, who disappeared last year from Los Alamos, New Mexico. He was retired and had been a foreman over overseeing construction of new buildings at Los Alamos National Laboratory, according to police. A detective there told me he is at a loss. The clues show that Chavez was home the day before he was reported missing, but left all his stuff behind.

And though he was a hiker and could have gone to one of the many canyons in the area, it was also pouring rain that day and he didn't bring a jacket. Chavez's best friend told me he tried to get the FBI involved initially but was hung up on. He says it's about time the feds look into this and he believes Chavez was abducted.

I asked him to elaborate on that, but he said the Chavez family asked him not to say anything more.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted last week about what she called, quote, recent and legitimate questions about these troubling cases, that agencies would holistically review all the cases together and leave no stone unturned.

Now, the FBI declined to comment. The Department of Defense said only that it would respond to the committee directly. And the Department of Energy referred questions to the White House. Natasha Chen, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAELSON: Thank you, Natasha. The state of Texas can now require public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments. This comes after U.S. Appeals Court ruled the law did not violate First Amendment protections.

Conservative Republican backers, including the Texas attorney general, are hailing the ruling as a major victory for the state and its moral values. But the issue could be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, with critics arguing it violates religious freedom and the separation of church and state.

Meanwhile, President Trump is taking part in what's being billed as a week-long spiritual celebration of America's 250th anniversary with a Bible reading recording in the recorded in the Oval Office.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: President along with key cabinet members joined several hundred people for the event known as America Reads the Bible.

But it comes at a complicated time for President Trump and his relationship with American Christians. He's been criticized for his public feud with Pope Leo and is facing backlash over an AI image he posted depicting himself as Jesus that he somehow claims was a picture of him as a doctor.

A new exhibition opening in New York this Thursday is taking aim at President Trump and examining Trumpism as a modern belief system. The Holy Babble, designed by an anonymous artist known as the Suited Racer, transforms a Manhattan gallery space into a church like setting.

It features a range of Trump themed religious items and centers around a 250-page book written in a biblical cadence chronicling Trump's checkered past. Signed copies can be purchased from a vending machine installed at the pseudo altar. The artist hopes the spiritual context will shed a different light on the President's rhetoric.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THE SUITED RACER, ARTIST BEHIND "THE HOLY BABBLE" EXHIBIT: The Holy Babble is a five year art project. It's a study on the rise of nationalism and how Trumpism co-opted Christianity in the United States. This is from the Book of Conquests which catalogs all of his romantic interests as well as the women that he has been convicted of assaulting in court, including their depositions rewritten in biblical prose. Obviously we have E. Jean Carroll, but we also have Stormy Daniels and all of his wives in this book.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: There's some breaking news just into CNN. We are getting a report of a maritime attack on the waters off Oman. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps gunboat approached a container ship and then fired upon it. There was apparently some heavy damage to the bridge, but no fires or environmental impact were reported.

And the good news here, the crew is said to be safe. More on that when we get more information.

In the meantime, we press ahead. A monster storm slammed in Jamaica last year. Months later, how is Jamaica doing? On the interview with the head of the International Federation of the Red Cross from Kingston, next.

Plus, the new propaganda playbook out of Iran. Slickly produced videos and memes with a Lego theme.

CNN caught up with the creators of these viral videos to find out what they're hoping to accomplish. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[01:24:19]

MICHAELSON: Recovery in Jamaica is at a crossroads. Six months after a Category 5 hurricane devastated the island. Hurricane Melissa left more than half the country impacted with billions in damages and thousands still struggling to rebuild. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are leading the efforts. IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain joins us now from Kingston. Thank you so much for being with us.

Why is this six month point so crucial in the recovery?

JAGAN CHAPAGAIN, INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES: This is a pivot moment for Jamaica.

[01:25:00]

As you mentioned in your introduction, that half the country was damaged by the hurricane and half the GDP was wiped away. So early past six months was very much focused on response, immediate help to people. The speed was very important in the past few months getting relief to the people impacted.

But now in the six-month mark, it's a very important point to move now to strategy, longer term strategy to focus on the recovery because at the end of the day, the communities have to be rebuilt in a resilient way. So when they are hit by the hurricane in the future, and unfortunately the hurricanes will keep on coming, that they will be impacted less, they can withstand the pressure better in the future. So that's why the six month marks become extremely important to move from response to recovery and from recovery to resilience.

MICHAELSON: We're looking at some video of your work right now. What is it looking like on the ground in the places that were hardest hit?

CHAPAGAIN: Some of the work had started and there have been concerted effort by of course the Jamaican government and organization like the Jamaican Red Cross. And as IFRC, we have mobilized significant international solidarity. So some people have started benefiting. But we also see that the rebuilding work had just started.

The infrastructure still needs to be built up, many of the roads still have a lot of potholes, lot of hospitals and schools are still not rebuilt. In many places the children are not able to go back to school fully. They have made a rotation system so at least some children can go to school on certain number of days. And you know, the children should not be suffering because of the disaster.

So the recovery becomes extremely important. So, while some good work has been done, but now the recovery has to start in August.

MICHAELSON: And lastly, and most importantly, what can our viewers do to help? CHAPAGAIN: I think the two or three things. One is it's really important that the hurricane Melissa should not go away from the news cycle and people's memory because the people are still not people still haven't gone back to their houses. The schools and hospitals still are not rebuilt. So it's extremely important that this still stays on the news.

And it's extremely important that Jamaica needs a global solidarity. This was too big a disaster, too big a damage, too significant damage. So it's very important that all the listeners and the partners and the donors continue to extend that global solidarity to Jamaica so that they can rebuild, they can actually build forward better. So if they are hit by hurricane in the future, they are more resilient and the impact is much less.

MICHAELSON: Well, thank you for the important work that you're doing. I think it's important that we all be reminded of this. So often these stories are reported and then people move on, forget about it and then a lot of people are left to suffer. So hopefully this segment helps to make a difference on that front and we will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

We will be back with more of The Story Is right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[01:32:41]

ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to THE STORY IS. I'm Elex Michaelson.

Let's take a look at today's top stories.

The funerals for eight children killed in a mass shooting in Louisiana will all be held together, the family tells CNN. The children, who ranged in age from just three years old to 11, will be buried near each other. No date has been set according to the family, and the funeral will not be open to the media.

Pope Leo XIV is paying homage to his predecessor. Tuesday marked the first anniversary of Pope Francis' death. Leo praised the late Pope for championing mercy and forgiveness, for lifting up marginalized populations, and for working to make the Catholic Church more inclusive. The Pontiff is in Equatorial Guinea on the last leg of his Africa trip.

State media is airing a new threat from Iran. If its neighbors let the U.S. use their land to attack Iran, then Iran will resume its attacks on them. And they can, quote, "say goodbye to oil production in the Middle East".

An Iranian commander says Iran's target list now includes major oil fields and refineries, not just military installations.

Iranian-American activists are demanding that any negotiations with Iran should prioritize human rights issues. Protesters gathered in Irvine, California on Tuesday after two Iranian political prisoners were reportedly executed this week.

Activists say a ceasefire deal should include international monitoring of Iranian prisons and stronger protections for political prisoners.

After decades of outdated propaganda, a group of Iranians are trying something new. Videos, raps and memes all done in LEGO-style and going viral around the world. Many of them mock and criticize President Trump and the war effort, but they're also pushing points of view to put Iran and its culture in a more positive light.

CNN producer Leila Gharagozlou managed to track down the creators.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LEILA GHARAGOZLOU, CNN PRODUCER: If you're on the Internet, you've likely seen these highly-popular Iranian LEGO-style videos.

(MUSIC)

GHARAGOZLOU: Published almost daily, these detailed videos with American and Western cultural references have taken the world by storm.

[01:34:49]

GHARAGOZLOU: The group that makes these publishes across social media platforms, but recently had their YouTube account shut down for showing violent content.

But who is behind these videos? Is it Iranian government propaganda? Are they in Iran or are they outside Iran?

I spoke to the creators behind these viral Iranian LEGO-style videos. I reached out to the team on X, introduced myself and requested an interview.

They promptly responded back and asked where I was from. As an Iranian journalist, I did expect this. And from there, the conversation switched to Persian.

Before agreeing to interview with me, they asked if I was in support of the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran. This was my response.

"As a professional and impartial journalist, my duty is to report events as objectively as possible, without the interference of my personal opinions. As an Iranian, I would never welcome the destruction of my country."

After another round of questions, these in English, we agreed to the group's first interview with an Iranian journalist and agreed to do the interview in Persian.

Turns out, Explosive Media is a small team of Gen Z creators; 18 to 25 years old they say they all reside in Iran, and most have never left the country. Their spokesperson, who requested anonymity, said the initial goal of these videos was to show the outside world what Iranians are like -- educated, culturally relevant, and funny.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We know that the West has a bad perception of us. They don't know us at all. We wanted to break down this wall of censorship. We wanted to say that we're funny, funnier than you even.

We understand culture and the arts, and we are incredibly educated. We know and understand your American culture well. You don't, unfortunately, know as much about our culture. We hope that you learn more about ours.

GHARAGOZLOU: While the Explosive Media team is clear that they support the government, they told me that their videos reflect their own independent political views.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We are committed to the Islamic Republic. That's our belief, our point of view. No one has to tell us that.

Before the war, we made critical videos of the government just like other media companies that criticized their governments. But once there is a war, internal fights no longer matter.

GHARAGOZLOU: There has been some question as to whether they work for the Iranian government or have them as a client.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We did not say we work with the IRGC. We're like any other media company in the world. When they create something, the rights for distribution can be bought. The rights for distribution of some of our videos in Iran have sometimes been bought by state media.

GHARAGOZLOU: Since the very first LEGO-style videos came out, there's been a lot of discussion as to whether these videos constitute as disinformation or propaganda.

Marc Owen Jones, an expert in social media and disinformation, says the answer is a bit more complicated.

MARC OWEN JONES, SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERT: If I was to simplify it, I would say this is political satire -- created political satire, and a form of creative resistance against U.S. imperialism.

The fact that it's leveraged by the Iranian regime, of course, that's just what they're going to do if it's effective and successful.

And I think to try and frame it as either pro or anti-government or government propaganda is a bit complicated.

GHARAGOZLOU: Whether satire or propaganda, these videos speak to a moment in social media and geopolitics, one that the Iranian government has adapted to. JONES: And I think the regime has become very savvy about the importance of social media, certainly domestically. I think internationally, they've been savvy about that.

GHARAGOZLOU: And it's not just social media trends that have led pro- government Iranians to making these videos, the two-and-a-half-year Gaza war has fundamentally changed the landscape in media and people's perceptions of the U.S. and Israel.

JONES: But I really do think that the Gaza war has unleashed or has created a level of criticism in Israel and U.S. politics and European politics that we have not seen before.

And I think the creators of these videos and the Iranian regime in general know that. And they are using that to kind of emphasize that this war is not in the interest of Americans, but the interest of Israel.

I think these are themes that resonates very profoundly amongst not just the left, but also the right with some aspects of the right.

GHARAGOZLOU: The rise of Explosive Media and Iran's new social media strategy has coincided with an Internet and communications blackout in Iran. A blackout that has left millions of Iranians cut off from the rest of the world.

So, how do these videos manage to make it out?

Iran has set up an internal Internet system for local companies and banks. And for people who can afford it, they buy VPNs and even Starlink. But Explosive Media doesn't use any of those.

The group applied for an Internet license as a news media company. The license allows news outlets to connect to the global Internet. The process is long and the criteria unclear.

[01:39:49]

GHARAGOZLOU: As we wait for a possible deal to end this war, Explosive Media says they too hope for peace. And in the meantime they say they'll keep making these videos.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAELSON: A bill passed by the British parliament will limit who can light up in the U.K. It puts a lifelong ban on buying cigarettes for anyone born after 2008. It's expected to become law next week, giving ministers new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products and create what they call a smoke-free generation.

The government hopes it will end tobacco use altogether over time and break the cycle of addiction and health issues caused by smoking.

The British Royal Family celebrated what would have been the 100th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. She died nearly four years ago, but remains the longest serving monarch in British history. King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the British Museum as part of the festivities. The King and Queen previewed models for a new memorial, including bronze statues of Elizabeth and her husband, the late Prince Philip.

As music fans mark ten years since Prince's untimely death, his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota is planning to mark the significance of the moment. Prince's Paisley Park home and studio, which is now a sprawling museum, will host a big celebration of his life and artistry. A series of events will launch on June 3rd and culminate on June 7th, which would have been Prince's 68th birthday.

You are watching THE STORY IS.

For our international viewers, "WORLDSPORT" is next. For our viewers here in North America, I'll be right back with a look at a big night for the NBA playoffs. Lots of surprises and twists and turns.

Arash Markazi with me live, next.

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MICHAELSON: You could have gotten some good odds on this. The Los Angeles Lakers have taken a two games to none lead on the Houston Rockets. NBA playoff action just wrapped up at crypto.com arena. Lebron James leading all scorers with 28 points. Kevin Durant, who was back after missing Game One with an injury, dropped 23 in his return to the lineup for the Rockets.

Arash Markazi is the founder and CEO of the Sporting Tribune, former columnist of "Sports Illustrated", ESPN at "The L.A. Times". And Arash is just back from crypto.com.

You drove over here quickly.

ARASH MARKAZI, FOUNDER/CEO, SPORTING TRIBUNE: Yes.

MICHAELSON: You rushed over here to do this. We appreciate it. Talk to us about the energy at the Crypt tonight and sort of this shocking start for the Lakers who are down Luka Doncic, down Austin Reaves. A lot of people were expecting them to get swept in this series, and now they're up two-nothing.

MARKAZI: Yes. It's amazing. There's nothing like a Lakers playoff game. We both live here. And again, we get a lot of stigma about showing up late and leaving early. And I only leave early when my good friend calls me to come on the show with him.

But there's nothing like Los Angeles. And again, normally there are championship hopes for the Lakers. No Luka Doncic, no Austin Reaves, they -- Vegas gave them no chance to win the series. So for them to be up 2-0, it is the first time they have a 2-0 lead in the playoffs since the 2020 NBA finals. And we know what happened that year.

So I'm just saying live in the moment. Enjoy this, Laker fans. Your Lakers are two wins away from advancing.

MICHAELSON: Which is crazy. And at that point they probably might get Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves back. The problem is they would face the Oklahoma City Thunder, who beat them by like 30 points, 40 points over and over again.

MARKAZI: Yes. Listen, that's why I'm telling Laker fans to enjoy the moment, live in the moment, not just for this postseason. What Lebron James is doing.

We don't know by the way, if this is the last game we see of Lebron James. According to multiple reports, he doesn't need a farewell tour. He will come to a decision.

But what we're seeing, we've never seen a player do at age 41, 23rd season. And I really hope he doesn't retire because he's not like one of those players where like, you know what, hang him up. He is playing like one of the top ten players in the world right now.

MICHAELSON: Unbelievable. Amazing.

And by the way, were both --

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MARKAZI: Oh, 100 percent.

MICHAELSON: There's some great arenas to play in in playoff times. You think about the Knicks. You think about Boston Garden. You think about other places around the country, Detroit that have --

MARKAZI: The house that Kobe built, Elex.

MICHAELSON: Ok. (INAUDIBLE) won the title that year, but ok.

Spurs versus Trail Blazers tonight.

MARKAZI: Yes.

MICHAELSON: Great place to play. Another place, San Antonio where they absolutely love the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama got a concussion potentially, concussion protocol.

MARKAZI: Concussion protocol.

MICHAELSON: And then the 76ers were able to win. They're big underdogs in this series. Thoughts on that.

MARKAZI: So league rules is and again he was ruled with a concussion. So he has -- he's part of the protocol. So he's going to be out for two days.

Now, the good thing is these playoffs are really stretched out. So you know Game 3 in Portland would be Friday. He could potentially come back for that. But this is why we talk about like live in the moment. You never know

what happens. I mean if Victor Wembanyama has to miss, let's just say, the next two games in Portland, all of a sudden Portland wins these next two games. You never know what happens.

But if you looked at the replay, I mean I felt so bad. I mean he hit his chin, his head and he was out.

MICHAELSON: Yes. And of course, he's so important to that team which is one of the best teams in the league this year.

Other game tonight, 76ers beat the Celtics after the Celtics really beat the 76ers in Game 1. 76ers beat the Celtics pretty big in Game 2. A reminder that kind of anything can happen on any given night in the playoffs as well.

Another big storyline in sports this week is the NFL draft. I know you've covered this in person many times, including in Vegas before. This year it's going to be in Pittsburgh.

Talk to us about the spectacle of the draft. We know Mendoza, Fernando Mendoza will be the number one pick, but just how crazy this has become as a cultural event.

MARKAZI: The league really did a very cool concept. I mean, they took a draft that was literally the commissioner getting a cue card and saying who was going to get drafted. It was held in a hotel in New York at the Marriott Marquis.

And now it is held not in a Super Bowl City. So it's not in Miami and Los Angeles. We're going to go to Pittsburgh. We're going to go Philadelphia. We're going to go to, you know, towns that don't typically (INAUDIBLE) Super Bowl.

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MARKAZI: But it's a free event. And so you get you get 100,000 people packed into (INAUDIBLE) to watch these picks. And again, they made it an event.

(INAUDIBLE) engage with the fans. You know, unfortunately in terms of the fans being there, Fernando Mendoza will be the first pick in the draft. It's going to be with his family.

But it is such a fun event, they've turned it into a three-day long party in Pittsburgh.

MICHAELSON: And Fernando Mendoza says his mom is --

MARKAZI: Yes.

MICHAELSON: -- dealing with some health crisis, so he wants to be there at home with her to be able to celebrate with her. That's why he's not going to be there. But he's likely headed to the Las Vegas Raiders, which will be interesting.

And for somebody who does not represent Sin City --

MARKAZI: No.

MICHAELSON: -- that would be Fernando --

MARKAZI: Most polished man.

MICHAELSON: -- the most polished religious person in the draft. So that'll be interesting. And Kirk Cousins also going there as a backup quarterback who may be even more Christian than Fernando Mendoza.

Arash Markazi, great to see you. Thank you so much.

You can check out his work at the Sporting Tribune.

Coming up, pasta with a side of table talk, how a tomato sauce company is hoping a new device will help bring back the art of dinner time conversation. This is really strange.

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MICHAELSON: A promotion by the Campbell Soup company could give new meaning to the term "secret sauce". The company is partnering their tomato sauce Prego with the nonprofit StoryCorps to preserve dinner table conversations.

On Monday, they announced a new device called the Connection Keeper, designed to record and document those conversations. And if users opt in, they can even have their family's recordings preserved in the Library of Congress.

A mini figure version of Ryan Gosling just broke a Guinness World Record by launching into the stratosphere. A LEGO set inspired by the film "Project: Hail Mary" took off above Wales on Monday using a high- altitude balloon system. On board were minifigures of the characters Ryland Grace, who Gosling plays, and the alien Rocky.

It set the Guinness record for highest altitude launch and retrieval of a LEGO set, reaching nearly 115,000 feet above sea level. And they retrieved it, which is amazing.

Thanks for watching THE STORY IS. I'm Elex Michaelson. We'll see you tomorrow.

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