In a new interview with Lester Holt, the parents of missing journalist Austin Tice say they have new reason for hope that their son will be found alive in the wake of the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Austin Tice went missing during a reporting trip in Syria in 2012. His release is a top priority for the U.S. government following a rebel group's ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

U.S. officials were pressing on Monday for information about Austin Tice and to secure the release of the American journalist captured in Syria 12 years ago.

US officials are chasing every lead in a mad scramble to find captured American journalist Austin Tice in Syria amid the chaos following the downfall of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Monday.