War with Iran: Day 19

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Welcome to Nightline, this special edition wore with Iran. I'm Byron Pits. On this episode,

Tulsi Gabbard on Capitol Hill, the director of national intelligence grilled on the Senate

floor.

It is precisely your responsibility to determine what constitutes a threat to the United

States, Congress drilling down on the justification for the offensive. Just one day after top-ranking

counterterrorism official Joel Kent resigned over the issue, saying, Iran posed no imminent

threat to our nation. We'll hear from ABC Chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce

unpacking DNI Gabbard's testimony and saying she appears to contradict a key claim made

by President Trump. Plus, airstrikes are intensifying across the Middle East. Dubai intercepting

multiple Iranian missiles and drones, coming after Israel hit a massive oilfield in Iran.

This while the U.S. drops a barrage of 5,000 pound bunker buster bombs along the coastline

of the Strait of Hamuz, in an effort to force the reopening of the vital waterway where

20 percent of the world's oil is transported.

While the conflict in Iran continues to rage on, we'll shift focus each day to this single

topic. War with Iran, nightline special coverage continues. This is day 19. Stay with us

after the break.

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Welcome back. Director of National Intelligence, Halsey Gabbard was summoned to Capitol Hill

today. After the resignation of her top counterterrorism official, Trump ally Joe Kind, who claimed

Iran posed no imminent threat to America. Gabbard's testimony, appearing to contradict

one of President Trump's key points in justifying the offensive. Here's ABC's Chief

White House correspondent Mary Bruce.

Tonight the White House releasing these photos, President Trump traveling to Dover Air

Force Base to witness the dignified transfer of the remains of six American service members

killed in this war. The trip coming 24 hours after one of his top intelligence officials resigned

in protest. Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, declaring Iran posed no imminent

threat to our nation. But Trump insists it did, claiming Iran was trying to rebuild its

nuclear program after the U.S. obliterated it last year. But today on Capitol Hill, director

of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, refusing to echo the president's words.

Was it the intelligence community's assessment that nevertheless, despite this obliteration,

there was a quote, imminent nuclear threat posed by the Iranian regime. Yes or no?

It is not the intelligence community's responsibility to determine what is and is not an imminent

threat.

Here's the problem.

No, it is precisely your responsibility to determine what constitutes a threat to the

United States.

You are here to represent the IC's assessment of threats. That's a quote from your own

opening statement.

Despite what Trump has said, Gabbard told Congress that Iran had actually made no efforts

to rebuild its nuclear capability.

In the opening statement, you submitted the committee last night also stated, quote, there

has been no efforts since then to try to rebuild their enrichment capability, end quote,

correct?

That's right.

And that's the assessment of the intelligence community.

Yes.

Our thanks to Mary. When we come back, airstrikes raining across parts of the Middle

East and the U.S. struggle to reopen the regional channel whose continued closure threatens

to spike American gas and grocery prices.

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Welcome back, a valley of airstrikes pumbling parts of the Middle East, as the U.S. races

to reopen the straighter her moves, and avoid potential spikes in gas, groceries and other

American essentials. ABC's chief international correspondent James Longman joins us from the

region.

Stock waves and uncertainty over oil and gas prices only worsening tonight, flames

shooting into the air as Israel bombs the world's largest gas field in Iran, and the backbone

of the country's energy sector. Video circulating online shows the flames and smoke engulfing

the refinery.

Israel's move comes just hours after the U.S. dropped multiple 5,000-pound bunker buster

bombs on Iranian missile sites along the coastline in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. says

they targeted cruise missiles that Iran could use on oil tankers and ships passing through

that critical waterway. Tonight Iran retaliating to Israel's attack on its gas fields with

a furious missile barrage across the region. This huge explosion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,

seen in video posted on social media.

Sky's over Dubai tonight air defenses knocking down incoming Iranian drones and missiles.

Iran also striking the world's largest liquefied natural gas terminal in Qatar. Extensive damage

reported the Qataris condemning the attack, calling it a dangerous escalation.

Iran tonight with this dire new warning, saying if you attack our oil and gas facilities,

we'll do the same.

Iran now urging Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE to evacuate their energy facilities immediately,

the lifeblood of this region and engine of the global economy. Experts say the list of

Iran's targets account for more than 1.25 million barrels per day of oil and natural gas production.

Tonight's attack sending global oil prices surging above $109 per barrel. Gas prices

in the U.S. spiking $0.94 since the start of the war, now averaging $3.88 a gallon.

Late today, Vice President Vance called the surging gas prices a quote, temporary blip.

We're working on a number of things. In fact, a couple of things that I think will be announced

in just the next 24 to 48 hours. I don't want to get ahead of the president on that.

But we recognize this is an issue.

And tonight, Iran also unleashing this cluster missile attack on Israel, multiple explosives

raining down on Tel Aviv, a couple in their 70s killed. This as the Israeli military ramps

up attacks on Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

This entire apartment building in Beirut raised to the ground, residents given just an

hour's notice to get out. Meanwhile, back in Iran, defiance on the streets of Tehran

tonight, thousands mourning the national security chief Ali Larajani, the regime's de facto

leader assassinated in an Israeli airstrike. Tonight, Israel says they've now killed Iran's

head of intelligence, too.

Our thanks to James. Join us tomorrow for another special edition of Nightline, War with

Iran. Our show was born during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. We were there then. We

are still here now.

If you like this podcast, let us know with a review on Apple Podcasts Spotify or wherever

you're listening. Check out start here for more on the days news and stick with us for

updates throughout the day when ABC News Live. We'll be right back here tomorrow. Thanks

for listening America.

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