Reporter's Notebook: Presidential improv
President Trump may be facing the highest-stakes decision of his presidency: whether to attack Iran. And we're all involved in the process. "CBS Evening News" co-anchor John Dickerson explains.
Iran
Unpacking Trump's pause on Iran attack decision
President Trump has been briefed on both the risks and the benefits of bombing Fordo, Iran's most secure nuclear site, and his mindset is that disabling it is necessary because of the risk of weapons being produced in a relatively short period of time, multiple sources told CBS News. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president will make a decision on whether to order a strike within the next two weeks. Benjamin Jensen, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, joins to discuss.
Florida charters flights out of Israel
Amid the Israel-Iran conflict, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis chartered flights carrying nearly 1,500 Jewish Americans who had traveled to Israel on their Birthright trip. Now, they are beginning to safely arrive back in the U.S. CBS News national correspondent Manuel Bojorquez is at the airport in Tampa, Florida.
Exiled Iranians call for U.S. pressure
Iran and Israel are separated by 1,000 miles and three countries: Jordan, Syria and Iraq, where thousands of Iranian exiles live and where the United States was at war for nearly nine years. Those Iranian exiles in Iraq are fiercely opposed to the theocratic government in Tehran. Holly Williams has been speaking to them.
Trump signals openness to more talks with Iran
President Trump said Thursday he will decide on striking Iran within the next two weeks. The president also said in a statement that he believes there is still a chance to negotiate with Iran in the "near future." CBS News' Debora Patta, Charlie D'Agata and Willie James Inman report.
Rep. Greg Casar on detaining of lawmakers
Federal authorities have arrested several officeholders amid President Trump's immigration crackdown. Democratic Rep. Greg Casar of Texas, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, joins "The Takeout" with his reaction.
Obama: U.S. "dangerously close" to autocracy
During an appearance in Connecticut, former President Barack Obama expressed concerns that the U.S. is slipping toward autocracy. Brakkton Booker, Politico national correspondent, and Matt Brown, congressional reporter for the Associated Press, join "The Takeout" to discuss.
Retired lieutenant colonel on 2020 Iranian attack
In January 2020, after the U.S. killed Iran's top general, Iran responded with the largest ever ballistic missile attack on Americans. Ret. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alan Johnson was at the intended target: A military base in Iraq. Johnson joins "The Takeout" to recount his experience as President Trump weighs further U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.
Ex-U.S. ambassador to Israel on Iran conflict
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised President Trump on Thursday, calling him "a tremendous world leader," as the White House weighs further U.S. involvement in Iran. Daniel Shapiro, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Israel in the Obama administration, joins "The Takeout" to discuss the conflict.
What are the risks of the U.S. striking Iran?
President Trump has been briefed on the risks and benefits of ordering military action in Iran and potentially bombing Fordo, Iran's most secure nuclear site. CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent and "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan joins with analysis.
Trump's 2-week timeline on Iran
The White House says President Trump will decide on whether the U.S. should join Israel in its military operations against Iran within the next two weeks. CBS News foreign correspondent Debora Patta reports from Tel Aviv.
Exclusive
Trump administration boosts monitoring of possible Iran-backed cells in U.S., sources say
FBI Director Kash Patel has increased efforts to monitor possible domestic sleeper cells linked to Hezbollah, U.S. officials say.
Edan Alexander greeted in New Jersey hometown
Freed Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, who was held by Hamas for nearly 600 days, returned to his hometown in New Jersey on Thursday. CBS News New York reports.
Edan Alexander lands in U.S.
Edan Alexander, the Israeli-American who was taken hostage during Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and held for nearly 600 days, has arrived back in the United States.
Evacuation flights from Israel land in U.S.
Flights carrying evacuated Jewish Americans from Israel have begun landing in Florida. CBS News national correspondent Manuel Bojorquez reports.
White House sets Trump-Iran decision timeline
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Trump will make a decision on potential U.S. strikes against Iran within the next two weeks. CBS News' Willie James Inman, Courtney Kealy and Olivia Gazis have the latest reporting.
Military is preparing if Iran tensions rise
The U.S. is positioning military assets near the Middle East as tensions rise between Israel and Iran and as more details emerge about President Trump's decisions to join operations against Iran's nuclear sites. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata has more.
Leavitt: Trump decision on Iran within 2 weeks
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says President Trump will decide within the next two weeks on whether to order U.S. strikes on Iran. Alex Vatanka, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, joins CBS News with reaction.
U.S. building military forces in Middle East
The Pentagon is beefing up the U.S. military presence in the Middle East amid the ongoing strikes between Israel and Iran. CBS News senior national security correspondent Charlie D'Agata reports.
Netanyahu says he trusts Trump's judgement
President Trump is still deciding whether or not he'll join Israel in strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities. In the meantime, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday praised Mr. Trump and called him a "tremendous friend." CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.
World awaits Trump's decision on Iran
The world is awaiting President Trump's latest thinking on joining Israel in operations against Iran's nuclear sites. This comes as tensions escalate after Iran and Israel trade airstrikes. CBS News' Haley Ott reports.
Israelis react to missile strike on hospital
Israel is vowing to hold Iran's leader accountable for "war crimes" after Iranian missile hit a hospital early Thursday. CBS News international reporter Haley Ott has more.
American students, tour groups waiting to evacuate Israel amid missile strikes
About 1,500 American students were evacuated by cruise ship from Israel to Cyprus, Birthright Israel said.
More on "Bunker buster" bombs
President Trump could choose to join Israel's efforts to bomb Iran's Fordo nuclear site with U.S. B-2 Spirit Bombers. Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Faint has more on the potential operation and the weapons needed.
Iranian insider says country weakened, but Iranians "very united"
A Tehran-based political analyst acknowledges Iran has been weakened by Israel's onslaught, but the official line is still one of defiance and solidarity.
Trump says he's cutting off all trade talks with Canada over anti-tariff ad
President Trump said he's ending trade talks with Canada, citing an anti-tariff ad campaign by the province of Ontario that uses former President Ronald Reagan's voice.
N.Y. AG Letitia James to plead not guilty to fraud charges in federal court
New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted by the Justice Department in October on bank fraud charges.
Here's who's charged in the NBA and poker gambling ring crackdowns
An NBA Hall of Famer, a current star and former player are among dozens arrested in an FBI crackdown on illegal gambling that includes alleged members of organized crime families.
Senate fails to advance GOP bill to pay essential workers during shutdown
The government shutdown stretched into Day 24 on Friday as the Senate failed to advance a measure to pay some federal workers.
White House demolishes East Wing as Trump says he'll donate "millions" to ballroom
New satellite photos show that demolition of the East Wing of the White House appears to be largely complete.
Ex-special counsel Jack Smith asks to testify publicly before Congress
Lawyers for former special counsel Jack Smith said he is asking to testify in open hearings before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.
Bears kill 1 person, injure 4 in Japan in record year for deadly attacks
Bears have been increasingly encroaching into Japan's towns due to factors ranging from a declining human population to climate change.
FBI: Rigged poker games used X-ray tables, hidden cameras to steal millions
X-ray tables. Hidden cameras. Pre-marked cards. Here's how investigators say suspects rigged poker games to allegedly steal at least $7 million.
Police shoot at truck outside Coast Guard base during protests
Officers opened fire Thursday evening at a vehicle backing into a line of police outside the U.S. Coast Guard base in Alameda.