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The Brief with Jim Sciutto

CNN International: Netanyahu: Israel Acted Alone in Iran Gas Field Strike; Iranian Missile Strikes Major Refinery in Northern Israel; Trump Praises Japan's Backing for U.S. Action in Iran; WTO Warns Iran War Will Impact Global Trade Growth; Lebanese PM Calls for Ceasefire, Talks with Israel; Lebanon: More Than 1,000 Killed Since March 2; ICE Arrests Texas Father Delivering Milk to Baby. Aired 6-7p ET

Aired March 19, 2026 - 18:00   ET

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

[18:00:00]

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world. I'm Lynda Kinkade in Atlanta. Jim Sciutto is off

today. You're watching "The Brief."

Just ahead this hour, Israel's prime minister denies he dragged the U.S. into a war, saying Israel acted alone when it attacked Iran's largest gas

field. Lebanon's prime minister calls for an immediate ceasefire, amid reports that more than 1,000 people have died in the conflict there. And a

man detained by immigration agents on his way to deliver milk to his premature baby in hospital speaks with Jim Sciutto. We'll bring you that

interview later this hour.

This is no longer a limited conflict. It's a regional war. U.S. President Trump put it today, we will do whatever is necessary. Energy is now the

central battleground, and Mr. Trump said he told Israel to stop attacks on Iranian energy resources.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Yes, I did. I did. I told him, don't do that. And he won't do that. We didn't discuss. You know, we do -- we're

independent. We get along great. It's coordinated. But on occasion, he'll do something, and if I don't like it. And so, we're not doing that anymore.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: That directive, as oil and gas prices jumped after Iran's retaliatory strikes on energy facilities in the Gulf, including Saudi

Arabia and Qatar. It follows an attack on Iran's South Pars Field, the world's largest natural gas field. Listen to what the Israeli prime

minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had to say about that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: Israel acted alone against the Slavia gas compound. Fact number two, President Trump asked us to hold off

on future attacks, and we're holding out. What do we see? What happens if the -- are there any signs that the Iranian regime is cracking? A lot of

signs. A lot of signs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Around 2,200 additional U.S. Marines are now being deployed to the Middle East. And while Mr. Trump says there are no plans for a large

ground war, he's also emphasized the need for the element of surprise.

Our Nic Robertson is live for us in Riyadh with more on these developments. Good to have you with us, Nic. So, energy infrastructure is certainly

becoming a major target. Israel striking the world's largest natural oil field. Then Iran, of course, launching missiles and drones on energy

infrastructure across the Gulf. Just take us through these developments and the reaction you're seeing there in the region.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes. I think one of the things that we can see from this, that when Israel struck Iran's gas

field, Iran decided to respond. And, you know, the narrative has been that Iran's navy is being sunk. Iran's air force is almost grounded. Its air

defenses are neutralized. That Iran is being defeated militarily, slowly, strategically, step by step. The drones are being -- the number of drones

they can fire is being dropped down. The number of missiles is being dropped down. The factories that manufacture these are all being dropped

down.

But it does appear the past 24 hours has been instructive that when Iran wants to make a strategic and calculated escalation, it is still able to go

up that escalation ladder by targeting Riyadh last night when foreign ministers were here hitting oil facilities around the city at two different

locations, according to the foreign minister, by hitting that important liquefied natural gas infrastructure inside of Qatar that's had a major

impact on the world's supply of liquefied natural gas in the short-term and potentially in the longer term as well.

And also, it appears hitting Haifa oil facility in Israel and also, again, ratcheting up the escalation hitting Saudi oil infrastructure on the Red

Sea with a drone on one refinery, and an attempted ballistic missile attack at another oil facility closely located on the Red Sea.

[18:05:00]

All of those, and those, by the way, were the first targeting on the Red Sea, the other way to get oil out of the Arabian Peninsula, not through the

Strait of Hormuz. So, I think that's instructive there.

Where it goes from here, well, Prime Minister Netanyahu said President Trump has asked him not to do it again. He said that he won't do it again.

And so, in some ways, the ball is in Iran's court. Does it escalate again? Does it keep it at this level?

And I think what we have seen in the sort of latter part of this day is perhaps a diminution slightly in Iran's strikes, fewer indications of

sirens going off across the Gulf region. However, that perhaps just indicates a slight pause in tempo, nothing more than that. Energy is now at

that level on the escalation that it's in the game, so to speak. And I don't think it's going to be taken off the playing field until there's a

de-escalation. And we don't see that off ramp yet.

KINKADE: No, we certainly don't. And we're not hearing any words leading to some sort of de-escalation from the U.S. president. Nic Robinson for us

in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Thanks to you.

Well, joining me now is Ambassador Dennis Ross, a former special assistant to President Obama. He is the counselor at the Washington Institute for

Near East Policy and joins us now live. Good to have you with us.

DENNIS ROSS, FORMER SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND COUNSELOR, THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY: Good to be with

you. Thanks.

KINKADE: So, Ambassador Ross, Iran retaliated, striking energy infrastructure sites right across the Gulf after Israel struck the South

Pars gas field, the world's largest natural gas field. How do you assess that strategic situation and the risk of further escalation at this point

in time?

ROSS: Well, I think, A, we saw that Iran does have the means to make that decision and to retaliate. So, they still do have the means, as Nic

Robertson was saying. It may not be that they're launching large barrages of missiles, because I don't think they're able to do that, but they don't

seem to have to do that.

So, I think the issue of targeting energy facilities is one that is a card they continue to hold, but it's also a pretty dangerous one for them,

because if they act on it, they could lose much more. So, I think there's a duality here, and in a sense, there's kind of a tendency for each side to

try to hold those targets in reserve in the event that there's going to be escalation.

There is one other thing the U.S. could be doing, which is not attacking the targets, but not allowing Iran to be exporting its oil when it's not

preventing anybody to export oil out of the Gulf. It's very interesting that, historically, they always said, if we can't export, nobody can. But

right now, they're exporting, and they're not letting anybody else do it, but we're allowing them to do that.

KINKADE: Yes. I wanted to ask you about that, because the U.S. treasury secretary claims he's allowing that in order to ease global oil supply. And

in addition to allowing Iranian oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, we know that the U.S. has also reduced sanctions on Russian oil in the

interim to ease pressure on the markets, and also considering reducing sanctions on some Iranian oil. What do you think about that strategy?

ROSS: Well, it's a strategy that makes sense as it relates to the price of oil. It's not a strategy that makes sense if you're trying to bring the war

to an end by exerting greater leverage on the Iranians. If they're able to export their oil, and if they're able to determine that no one else can

move into and out of the Gulf or through the Strait of Hormuz, then it gives them a lot of leverage. It gives them a kind of stranglehold over

what can flow into and out of the Gulf.

By the way, it's not only oil that affects the world economy. It's also fertilizers. About a third of the world's fertilizers are coming through

there. So, that will affect food security worldwide. Helium comes in and out of there. So, you know, the fact that we permit it gives the Iranians a

kind of economic lifeline at a time where they're denying the well-being of others, I think it works against the strategic objectives that we may have

in bringing this war to an end in a way that's also victorious. But in the interim, it keeps oil prices lower than they would be otherwise.

KINKADE: And, Ambassador, you wrote in the Atlantic that there are no limits to what Iran's leaders will do to survive. And that was demonstrated

clearly with the massacre of tens of thousands of Iranians during the protests back in January. Just today, Iran executed another three of those

protesters, including a 19-year-old wrestler.

[18:10:00]

You said the U.S. can't guarantee regime change, but it can weaken the regime. How weak is the regime right now? And what else is needed?

ROSS: Well, there's two kinds of weakening. One kind of weakening, which is actually easier for us to achieve, is their ability to reconstitute

their ballistic missiles, their nuclear weapon program. When we're attacking the whole complex of their weapons, the depots, but also all the

production facilities for all the components that go into ballistic missiles or cruise missiles or drones, when we're doing that, we make them

less capable over time of being able to threaten anybody else. That's something that militarily for sure you can do.

Now, the other weakening is weakening the regime's control mechanisms. And that is possible, but it's hard to measure the significance of that.

Because you take out a number of besieged checkpoints or headquarters or command posts, it's hard to know how that translates into real regime

control.

Right now, to give you an example, many of the besieged are on the street and actually sleeping in tents because the Israelis in particular have

destroyed their headquarters, command posts, a lot of checkpoints. So, some sleep under bridges, some sleep in tents on the streets. But if they're on

the streets, that also means that a lot of those who might otherwise come out and protest against them or against the regime itself are probably a

little bit more to come out there.

Regime weakening is something that's hard to measure, even if it's a reality that doesn't really express itself until after this war is over.

KINKADE: Ambassador Dennis Ross, great to get your perspective. Thanks so much for joining us.

ROSS: My pleasure.

KINKADE: Well, President Trump says he's pleased with the level of backing he's seen from Japan on the American military action in Iran. Sitting

alongside the Japanese prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, Trump said Japan is stepping up to the plate before adding, quote, "unlike NATO." The president

was then asked by a Japanese reporter why he didn't inform allies before launching the attack on Iran.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: We didn't tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl

Harbor? OK. Right. He's asking me, do you believe in surprise? I think much more so than us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Wow. Well, Japan imports more than 90 percent of its crude oil from the Middle East. And speaking to a translator, the prime minister said

she brought to Washington proposals to calm global energy markets and increase cooperation between both nations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SANAE TAKAICHI, JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER (through translator): So, today, I really look forward to having our discussion, particularly focusing on our

collaboration in economic security in the important areas such as energy and minerals. And also, I look forward to discussing with you how we can

make our two economies stronger moving forward. Thank you very much.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Those words from Prime Minister Takaichi there. Well, joining me now is Jeremy Chan, senior analyst for China and Northeast Asia at the

Eurasia Group. Thanks so much for joining us.

JEREMY CHAN, SENIOR ANALYST OF CHINA AND NORTHEAST ASIA, EURASIA GROUP: Thanks for having me.

KINKADE: So, 20 days into this war, the U.S. president is again pressing allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Japan, of course, is a pacifist

country with legal and political limits on military action. Just how much support is there in Japan for getting involved in this Middle East

conflict?

CHAN: That's a good question, and I think it's a pretty simple answer. Support is extremely low. Public polling suggests that fewer than 10

percent of the Japanese public thinks that they should intervene militarily. That's both, I think, an allergy or an aversion to this

specific conflict and the way it's being waged without U.N. authorization, for example. It's also a testament to the pacifist history of Japan and the

longstanding reluctance to intervene militarily in conflicts overseas.

KINKADE: And we heard Donald Trump being asked about why he didn't inform allies before launching the attack on Iran, and he alluded to Japan doing

surprise attacks and mentioning Pearl Harbor back in World War II. How are those sort of comments being received both in Asia and across the world?

CHAN: You know, it was an off-the-cuff remark. I think it was not particularly humorous. I don't think it'll be particularly well received in

Asia, but it'll be mostly shrugged off. I mean, the visit went tremendously well or it's going very well. The Japanese side is particularly pleased

that they weren't pressed to do more on Iran and that most of the outcomes and deliverables that Prime Minister Takaichi was seeking, it looks like

she received. And so, overall, I think that they will kind of put -- you know, put that remark aside and focus on the bigger picture, which is that

the U.S.-Japan alliance remains very, very strong.

[18:15:00]

KINKADE: And speaking of those commitments, they did discuss this $40 billion nuclear reactor deal. How does this economic and energy partnership

interact with Japan's strategic priorities in East Asia and, of course, its position on the war in Iran?

CHAN: Well, Japan and particularly Prime Minister Takeichi have made it very clear that they intend to stay closely aligned with the United States,

perhaps more so than any other country in the world. And so, the $550 billion investment pledge that was inked last fall underpins that.

And so, this latest announcement, which is part of the second tranche of investments, the $40 billion in small modular reactors that you're

referring to, is just one more sort of peg in this longer game that Japan is trying to play to make good on those pledges and to make sure that

President Trump recognizes the centrality of Japan to his broader economic and strategic vision.

KINKADE: And of course, Japan relies on roughly 90 percent of its oil coming through the Strait of Hormuz. How does this dependence shape the

relationship between the U.S. and Japan going forward and the conversations that they're going to have with regards to just how long this war drags on?

CHAN: It's a very good question. You're right. 95 percent of Japan's oil comes from the Middle East. About 70 percent comes through the Strait of

Hormuz. And so, Japan is far more exposed to these oil shortages than most countries in the world, including the United States. With that said, Japan

also has tremendous oil reserves, 250 days' worth. And they've already announced plans to release 80 million barrels from that strategic stockpile

to control prices and to sort of support a broader IEA effort to stabilize the global economy.

But longer-term, you're absolutely right. Japan needs this situation to be resolved sooner rather than later. And I believe that that was at the very

top of the agenda when Prime Minister Takaichi and President Trump met today. And that wasn't necessarily on the agenda or wasn't in the -- you

know, the plan about a month ago.

KINKADE: Yes, exactly. Jeremy Chan, great to get your analysis. Thanks so much for joining us.

CHAN: Thanks for having me.

KINKADE: Well, still ahead, it's not just tariffs, the World Trade Organization says the Iran War will have a major impact on global trade.

We're going to hear from the head of the WTO next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade. In today's Business Breakout, a volatile day on Wall Street.

[18:20:00]

U.S. stocks fell across the board. They finished well off session lows as oil prices stabilized. Brent crude closed modestly higher after briefly

touching $119 a barrel, and U.S. crude fell. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance met with oil and gas executives Thursday to discuss ways to bring down

energy prices as the war in Iran continues. The Trump administration says it's not considering a ban on U.S. oil exports. The treasury secretary,

Scott Bessent, said there is another idea up for discussion.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT BESSENT, U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY: In the coming days, we may unsanction the Iranian oil that's on the water. It's about 140 million

barrels. So, depending on how you count it, that's 10 days to two weeks of supply.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Meantime, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that a complete rethink is needed over how oil is transported in the

Persian Gulf.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NETANYAHU: Instead of going through the choke points of the Hormuz Straits and the Bab al-Mandab Straits in order to have the flow of oil, just have

oil pipelines, gas pipelines going west through the Arabian Peninsula, right up to Israel, right up to our Mediterranean ports, and you've just

done away with the choke points forever. That is definitely possible. So, I see that as a real change that will follow this war.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: The World Trade Organization says it's not just oil supplies that are at risk from the war with Iran. It fears the conflict will impact a

sizable chunk of overall global trade if it drags on. The head of the WTO spoke earlier with our Richard Quest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA, DIRECTOR-GENERAL, WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION: If you ask me, the one thing I'm worried about with the present situation in the

Middle East is the impact on food and fertilizer prices. I know energy is very important, but any impact of a high rise in food prices will really

hit poor people all over the world.

And if you think of the fact that one-third of the world's fertilizer passes through the straits, mostly urea, and you have big agriculture-

producing countries like Thailand, 70 percent dependent on the Gulf for the urea supplies, I think India about 40 percent, Brazil about 35 percent. So,

difficulties getting the fertilizer to these countries on time will definitely have an impact on food prices.

RICHARD QUEST, CNN BUSINESS EDITOR-AT-LARGE AND CNN ANCHOR, QUEST MEANS BUSINESS: And that's before we factor in, for instance, just the sheer

cost of extra fuel, jet aviation fuel, the cost, for example, of cargo, air cargo, and all of these things. I mean, how bad do you think it's going to

be for global world trade?

OKONJO-IWEALA: Well, right now we are forecasting a modest 1.9 percent growth this year. This is off of a back of very strong growth for 2025 of

4.6 percent. You know, that growth came off the back of front loading and A.I., trading A.I. goods. So, 1.9 percent this year.

But we're saying that should this conflict continue in the Middle East, it could shave off 0.5 percentage points off of goods trade growth this year.

And don't forget services, growth in services trade also could have an impact.

QUEST: There's very little anybody can do about this, isn't there? I mean, we're right to be warned about it. But I guess my core question would be,

what do we do about it?

OKONJO-IWEALA: Well, I mean, Richard, nobody knows. There's so much uncertainty about how long this conflict will last. We're all hoping that

it will end. That's the best answer. Because remember, in the Gulf itself, imports, a huge part of its food supplies is a net food import in region.

75 percent of their supplies of rice, for instance, come from outside the region. And so, it would even impact those countries even more.

So, we may need to think of a special arrangement to allow at least fertilizer and food supplies to pass through the Strait.

QUEST: Are you --

OKONJO-IWEALA: That would be the answer.

QUEST: Now, hang on a second. Hang on a second. You've just you've just teased out something. Are you suggesting that you might be using your good

offices to try and broker some sort of agreement that would allow fertilizer to or would allow? Do you see a role for yourself to do that?

[18:25:00]

OKONJO-IWEALA: No, I would think that, you know, we've got the secretary general of the United Nations who could do that. We've got others -- you

know, of course, we are happy to be part of any discussion, such discussions from the WTO. But I think there are others who are better

placed to lead this effort.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Our thanks to Richard Quest for that interview with the WTO. Well, checking some of today's other business headlines. The CEO of Qatar

Energy says Iranian attacks on its energy infrastructure caused major damage that will be felt for years. The CEO tells Reuters that the attacks

wiped out some 17 percent of its liquid natural gas export capacity, threatening future exports to Europe and Asia for the next five years. He

says the firm will lose an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue.

The central banks of the U.K., Europe and Japan all kept interest rates unchanged at their policy meetings Thursday, but they all warned of

inflationary effects of higher oil prices. Traders believe the next move by the UK and the European Central Bank might be to hike interest rates. ECB

President Christine Lagarde said her bank is well positioned to deal with the, quote, "major shock that is unfolding."

The war in Iran is driving up the cost of buying a home here in the U.S. The average fixed year mortgage rose above six-point two percent this week.

That's its highest level since December. Rates dipped below six percent less than a month ago, raising hopes that homes would become more

affordable. But the war's inflationary impact has driven up U.S. borrowing costs overall.

Well, still to come after the break with the death toll in Lebanon from the war in the Middle East reaching a grim milestone, the Lebanese prime

minister tells CNN what is needed to end the war. That story next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KINKADE: Welcome back to "The Brief." I'm Lynda Kinkade. Here are the international headlines we're watching today.

[18:30:00]

The energy markets are again being rattled by the tit-for-tat attacks on oil on liquid natural gas infrastructure in the Persian Gulf. Prices for

both jumped today after an Israeli strike on the South Pars gas field, and Iran's counterattacks on the world's largest LNG facility located in Qatar.

Japan's Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, has met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. The president said he is pleased with the level

of support he's seen from Japan over the war in Iran. The prime minister said she had specific proposals which could calm the global energy market.

An American college student missing in Spain since early Tuesday has been found dead. 20-year-old James Gracey was last seen during the overnight

hours on Tuesday. Authorities say his body was found on a beach not far from a nightclub where he became separated from friends. Barcelona law

enforcement told CNN Gracey's death appears to have been an accident.

Under Israeli bombardment, the prime minister of Lebanon is making an urgent appeal to the U.S. president to intervene. Nawaf Salam is calling

for an immediate ceasefire and direct talks with Israel. More than 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon since the start of the war, according to

a CNN tally of official figures. Salam told CNN's Nic Payton Walsh that President Trump alone may be the only one who can end the conflict. Take a

listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NAWAF SALAM, PRIME MINISTER OF LEBANON: President Trump, more than anyone, has -- I mean, can play excessive role in bringing, I mean, this war to an

end. So, we call on a greater engagement of the U.S. I mean, all the Lebanese. There are victim -- this war has been imposed on us. We didn't

seek it. We didn't choose it. And now, our main objective is how to end it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Well, CNN is reporting from inside Lebanon after securing permission from Hezbollah to operate there. Isobel Yeung is on the ground

speaking with residents caught in the aftermath of the Israeli strikes. We should warn you, Isobel's report is disturbing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Oh, Yamina and Malika. I swear, she was like the moon, her face so bright.

ISOBEL YEUNG, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (through translator): This mother is carrying the body of her six-year-old daughter, Yasmina. Israeli

bombs pierce her grave. She's also burying her three other daughters, nine- year-old Malika, Zahra, 12, and Zainab, 13, along with their cousin, 11- year-old Sadiq.

YEUNG: It's just absolutely heartbreaking to see these, this body after body after body, tiny little bodies, these ones having to be carried on the

bed because there's just only parts and remnants and pieces of them left.

YEUNG (voice-over): These are just five of over 110 children killed this month. The IDF say they're targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and that

Hezbollah are using civilians as human shields. CNN obtained permission from Hezbollah to film in southern Lebanon.

YEUNG: It is just apocalyptic around here. And to think that -- I mean, just a couple of weeks ago, this was a buzzing, lively neighborhood with

shops, and these are people's houses, and now it's just all been turned to rubble. Must be so eerie staying here. And yet, you still do see people.

You see people in their homes.

What are you still doing here?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I stay here.

YEUNG: Why are you staying?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I go where? This is my house.

YEUNG: Are you the only person who stayed, or is there other families who stayed as well?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I no get family. I no marry. You want to marry me?

YEUNG: These kids obviously have been out of school for the last two weeks since the beginning of the war. And this group now is trying to do some

activities with them, try to have some semblance of normalcy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I feel like we are scared and terrified and displaced.

YEUNG: What are you scared could happen?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I'm scares one of us will be killed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Lebanon used to be prosperous. The whole of Lebanon is finished, completely. There is no Lebanon anymore.

Hopefully what happened in Gaza doesn't happen to us.

YEUNG: What would you say to the people who have power over this war right now?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): What do you want from us? Children can't continue their education or do anything. You've ruined our

lives.

YEUNG (voice-over): It's a pain no child should know. A generation who should have their entire lives ahead of them. Now, pulled into a war they

never chose, and crushed beneath the violence that engulfs them.

Isobel Yeung, CNN, Beirut.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[18:35:00]

KINKADE: Well, the IDF says it's targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and that Hezbollah is using civilians as human shields. The IDF also says it

will look into the incidents CNN documented.

Well, with an estimated 1,000 dead in Lebanon and 1 million displaced, I'm joined by Sean Carroll, President and CEO of America Near East Refugee Aid,

ANERA, which is also a U.S.-based nonprofit providing aid and long-term support in parts of the Middle East. I appreciate your time today. Thank

you for joining us.

SEAN CARROLL, PRESIDENT AND CEO, AMERICAN NEAR EAST REFUGEE AID: Thank you for having me, Lynda.

KINKADE: I'm not sure if you just heard the reports we just had from our correspondents in Lebanon, both the interview with the prime minister of

Lebanon calling on the U.S. president to end this conflict, and also our report from Isabel showing the devastation and the families impacted by

this war, a war they say they didn't ask for. Tell us what your teams in the region are seeing right now.

CARROLL: As humanitarians, as humans, we all hope that these negotiations are successful in the war in Lebanon. The war in the region ends soon. Too

many women and children are dying. Too many mothers and fathers and children are grieving. The wars have to end.

The scale of the displacement and the destruction in Lebanon is hard to comprehend. For comparison, one in five people in Lebanon are now

displaced, and nearly 20 percent of the land is under evacuation orders. The equivalent in the United States would be the entire southeastern

portion of the United States being an evacuation zone, east of the Mississippi, south of the old Mason-Dixon line, and 60 million people would

be the equivalent. That's the populations of Florida and Georgia and the Carolinas and Virginia.

So, the scale is massive, something that we didn't see in the last escalation of this war, and it's gotten much worse, and the needs are just

enormous.

KINKADE: Yes. I mean, the trauma that these children are experiencing is just incredible, and many of these families in Lebanon have fled multiple

times now, right, due to the waves of conflict, much like many people in Gaza over the last, you know, few years. What are those long-term

consequences?

CARROLL: Well, also very hard to measure, but the trauma, the time away from formal education, the long-term need for humanitarian assistance, food

and hygiene and water and medicines, and we're seeing an acute spike in Lebanon for needs along all of those lines, and particularly medicines.

There's a shortage of some key critical medicines, and there is trying to get more in.

And now, fortunately, the airport and the seaport are open, and we're working with our medical donation partners to get more medicines in, but

we're distributing mattresses and sleeping bags and winter clothes and water and hygiene kits and ready-to-eat -- and meeting the needs of tens of

thousands, but with a million displaced, and most of those needing some kind of humanitarian assistance, we have to do more, and others do as well.

KINKADE: Yes. It's hard to even get your head around a million people displaced in one country right now. Just talk to us about how you deliver

that aid effectively in a timely manner, and how you're working with other aid groups to make it operational.

CARROLL: Yes, thank you. Thirty-five of ANERA's staff in Lebanon are displaced from their homes, and they're continuing to work. And we're

working with local partners, measuring whether we can access areas or not, work with local partners, staff from other regions that are more safe than

the southern region and the Beqaa Valle are stepping up to help. We're meeting people as they flee. We've distributed aid to people in their cars

as they leave, and some people are living in their cars.

And as your report said, some people have chosen not to leave, others left and then found inflated rent prices meant they couldn't find anywhere safe

to stay, and so they're going back. There are internally displaced people in over 100 collective shelters, and a big question as to whether there's

enough shelter and for how long they'll be able to stay there.

So, the needs are just huge and the fear is constant, and while there are areas that are more dangerous than others, Lebanese are feeling right now

that no area is completely safe as you have bombs going off in different parts of Beirut and different parts of the country.

KINKADE: And France and other partners have increased humanitarian assistance, but of course the demand continues to outstrip supply.

[18:40:00]

What kind of support is most needed? Is it funding? Is it supplies? Is it diplomatic efforts? What is most critical?

CARROLL: Well, the diplomatic efforts to end the war are certainly most critical, but in terms of aid, it's funding. It's almost always funding. We

can procure a lot locally if we have the funding, but we also need medicines to be donated through our medical donations partners and coming

in. And unfortunately, not all of the million displaced, but a large number of them will continue to need food aid and hygiene and water.

And so, we're looking at, we've been distributing bottled water. We're looking at doing tanker water to meet growing needs. It's all needed, but

funding means that we can then ensure that what is most needed and what we can deliver effectively, we deliver.

KINKADE: Sean Carroll of Inira, we appreciate the work you and your team are doing. Thanks for joining us.

CARROLL: Thank you very much. And let me wish an Eid al-Fitr and Mubarak to all of those celebrating the end of Ramadan. Thank you.

KINKADE: Thank you. Well, journalists covering the conflict are risking their lives every day to bring us a picture of what's happening on the

ground. Watch as a correspondent and cameraman for Russia Today are almost struck by a missile in Southern Lebanon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Further rocket attacks were reported against Nahariyya. And a minute --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Both the correspondent Steve Sweeney and his cameraman Ali Reeder were taken to hospital after the incident. CNN spoke to Reeder and he said

that they are now both safe.

Well, still to come, immigration agents arrest a Texas father on his way to deliver milk to his premature baby in hospital. CNN's conversation with his

wife next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade. A Texas father is wondering if he'll ever get to hold his newborn daughter after being arrested by

immigration agents while delivering milk to her neonatal intensive care unit. Juan Chavez Velasco became a scientist with two degrees after being

brought to the U.S. illegally as a child.

[18:45:00]

He was allowed to stay under the so-called DACA program, that is, until his arrest last month while en route to the hospital where his daughter,

Aliana, was born prematurely just days earlier. Now, the Trump administration wants Chavez Velasco to self-deport and leave behind his

wife, Stephanie, and their three children. Jim Sciutto spoke to Stephanie about her husband's arrest.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEPHANIE VILLARREAL, WIFE OF JUAN CHAVEZ VELASCO: I was on the phone with him. He was on his way over to the hospital. We have a premature baby and

just as he was days prior taking breast milk that I was pumping over to our baby, he noticed that there was a stalled vehicle at the entrance of our

neighborhood. And he mentioned that there was a ICE officer that was attempting to open his door.

At that time, you know, we both started panicking and I can hear the ICE officer, um, you know, telling him to get out of the vehicle. And he

mentioned immediately that he was an active DACA recipient and he had a valid work authorization. And I overheard the ICE agent basically mentioned

that he didn't care.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR, "THE BRIEF": The ICE agent said he didn't care.

VILLARREAL: Correct.

SCIUTTO: Now, your husband's situation is that he submitted his renewal application for DACA as is required every two years. Back in November, his

DACA expiring on March 10th. So, he applied several months in advance. He didn't get an answer?

VILLARREAL: Correct. He had been hearing it was extremely delayed and that's why he did decide to do it even sooner than he normally would. He

would call in trying to get some information on why there was such a delay. But they just never really moved forward on the renewal process.

SCIUTTO: Did he ever get an explanation from immigration officers or officials why his having submitted renewal was not enough for him to stay

in the country? Did they explain to him why they picked him up?

VILLARREAL: No, there was no explanation as to why. The only thing that the officer mentioned to him was that he had a warrant for his arrest.

SCIUTTO: And they never explained what that warrant was for?

VILLARREAL: No.

SCIUTTO: So, he didn't have a chance to, well, one, know the details, but, but to challenge, to challenge that in court?

VILLARREAL: Correct. He didn't have any opportunity to. And me being that I was panicking at that time, I just asked him to comply and we would

figure it all out later with our attorney.

SCIUTTO: What have lawyers explained to him were his options prior to this arrest?

VILLARREAL: We got married last year and that's where we had actively been consulting with immigration attorneys who basically would let us know that

they would not recommend doing it at this time, only because he would probably be detained or deported.

SCIUTTO: Right.

VILLARREAL: So, we were actively starting the process. We just never really -- this happened prior to us finalizing everything.

SCIUTTO: Now, if his DACA had been renewed, he would be protected from deportation, correct?

VILLARREAL: Correct. It actually expired while he was in detention.

SCIUTTO: Yes. Now, right now, as I understand it, he is being offered money and a free flight to leave the country?

VILLARREAL: Correct.

SCIUTTO: What -- first of all, is he considering doing that? I mean, he obviously has you in this country, his wife, he's got, he's raising three

children who are U.S. citizens. What's his answer to that offer?

VILLARREAL: So, no, that is definitely not an option that he is wanting to consider. Nothing that we would like to consider either as a family. We

need him. You know, he is the main provider. He works in the healthcare industry. So, he definitely is a big asset to the community. He worked in

the front lines during COVID and, you know, as a family, we just, we need him. We need him here. The community needs him.

SCIUTTO: So, what message are you receiving then in all this? What is the message you're receiving from U.S. Immigration, given they've now detained

your husband?

VILLARREAL: It's just been a difficult process, and it's really just hard to understand everything. Pretty much we're just trying to work with what

we have and really utilizing our attorney just to hopefully get him home. And that's all that we can really hope for at this time.

[18:50:00]

SCIUTTO: As you know, when asked about this, DHS has said they've called him an illegal alien, and they say that illegal aliens who claim to be

recipients of DACA are not protected from deportation. So, what is the message that you're getting from the U.S. Immigration What's your response

to that?

VILLARREAL: My husband did everything right. DACA was actually created to protect people like my husband. He's contributing, he's paying his taxes,

he's working hard, and he made a career for himself, and he's just the perfect example of what DACA was made for.

SCIUTTO: Now, what does your legal advisers, what do they tell you your options are now?

VILLARREAL: Basically, they're mentioning that our main focus would be to try to get his DACA renewed, and hopefully see if there's an avenue to keep

him here, and we're really hoping that he can stay.

SCIUTTO: Yes, I understand. The idea of splitting your family must just be so painful to imagine.

VILLARREAL: It's been devastating.

SCIUTTO: Yes. Is, though, renewing his DACA under current circumstances, is it realistic? Is it likely? Because I've spoken to immigration advocates

who believe there's a deliberate effort here to undermine DACA in effect by a backdoor.

VILLARREAL: We're hoping for the best. That's all I can really, you know, mention at this time. We're hoping he can be here.

SCIUTTO: I'm sure. And how are the kids handling it?

VILLARREAL: My kids are very young. My oldest is the one that basically can somewhat understand that dad's gone. He's four years old, and every day

he asks me, mom, when is dad coming home? We basically just told him he's on a work trip. He misses him so much, and you know, it's been hard.

SCIUTTO: It's got to be so hard for you to try to communicate to them. I know you're trying to protect them. Well, Stephanie Villarreal, we hope

that your family is reunited soon, and we appreciate you sharing your story with us.

VILLARREAL: Thank you so much for having me.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Well, the Department of Homeland Security responded to our request for comment, calling Chavez Velasco a, quote, "illegal alien" from

Colombia. He was issued a final order of removal in 2005, adding any illegal alien who is a DACA recipient may be subject to arrest and

deportation for a number of reasons.

We're going to take a quick break. We'll be right back with much more news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:55:00]

KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade, football superstar Lionel Messi scoring his 900th career goal. The 38-year-old World Cup champion reached

the milestone on Wednesday night in a match between Miami and Nashville. It came 21 years after Messi scored his first goal in senior football for

Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo is the only other player with more than 900 goals.

Well, in today's Good Brief, the adorable and slightly mischievous Labubu plush toys are loved and collected by millions of people around the globe.

But will they prove just as popular at the movies? Sony Pictures and Labubu's parent company Pop Mart announced Thursday that they're partnering

with an on an upcoming feature film.

Paul King, who directed "Wonka" and "Paddington," will produce and direct the new film. It will be a mix of live action and computer-generated

animation. No word yet on when it might be released, but the creators surely hope it will be a monster hit. I'm sure my girls will want to see

it, no doubt.

Well, that does it for this edition of "The Brief." Thanks so much for joining me. I'm Lynda Kinkade in Atlanta. Do stay with CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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END