Up First from NPR
US Israeli War With Iran, Trump's War Address, Gulf Countries Bear The Brunt
02 Mar 2026
Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
The Middle East is being engulfed by the U.S.
Chapter 2: What is the current status of the US-Israeli war with Iran?
and Israeli war on Iran.
Iran is retaliating with strikes on allies of the U.S., and Israel is pounding Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets. President Trump says this could go on for weeks.
I'm Laila Fadil, that's A. Martinez, and this is Up First from NPR News.
Chapter 3: What did President Trump say about the ongoing conflict?
Three U.S. service members were killed by Iranian strikes. Here's what the president said about that.
And sadly, there will likely be more.
Chapter 4: How are Gulf countries affected by Iran's retaliation?
Before it ends, that's the way it is. Likely be more.
And America's Gulf allies are taking the brunt of Iran's retaliation. Waves of missiles and drones are turning expat cities such as Doha and Dubai into battlefields.
Chapter 5: What are the implications of the US and Israeli strikes on Iran?
Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day. After a weekend of the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran, around the world there have been celebrations such as this one in the heart of Tehran.
And protests like this one in Iraq. And as the U.S. and Israel continue to strike Iran, Iran is retaliating against countries that host American military bases.
Chapter 6: What was the response in Iran to the killing of its Supreme Leader?
The Pentagon says three U.S. service members have been killed, and a new front is now open in Lebanon with Israel pounding the country after Hezbollah fired rockets.
NPR's international affairs correspondent Jackie Northam is here to bring us up to date. Jackie, tell us the latest.
Well, the U.S.
Chapter 7: What are President Trump's objectives for the war with Iran?
and Israel say they are hitting hundreds of targets in Iran, and that includes key targets such as anti-aircraft defense systems, ballistic missiles and launchers, command and control centers. President Trump said the military had also sunk nine Iranian warships, although CENTCOM only confirmed one.
Other targets include senior military and political figures in Iran, including the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Saturday. Iran has responded with deadly strikes on Israel and attacking Gulf states.
And last night, the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah in Lebanon launched rockets into Israel, which responded with airstrikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon, widening this war even further.
Chapter 8: How is the conflict impacting civilian life in the Gulf region?
In Iran, what was the response to the killing of the Supreme Leader?
Mixed. You know, NPR has spoken to a few people in Iran who say they're very happy about Khamenei's death. And we're seeing on social media statues of Khamenei being pulled down by Iranians. And people briefly took over a government building in one town. But there were also huge crowds at pro-regime rallies mourning Khamenei's death and shouting death to America.
You know, in the wake of his killing, a temporary leadership council is being formed and will remain in place until a panel of Shia religious leaders makes a final decision on a new supreme leader.
OK, now, President Trump started this war and he's now indicating there's a chance for diplomacy. He said Iran's new leadership wants to talk with him and that he plans to do so as well. So does that give us any sense of how Trump will try to end the war?
Well, you know, Trump gave several justifications for attacking Iran, preventing it from acquiring nuclear weapons and indicating he wanted regime change. But he says the war will continue until his objectives are met. You know, it's clear Trump doesn't want to get mired down in a protracted conflict in the Middle East.
And in an interview with The New York Times on Sunday, he said the military intends to sustain its assault on Iran for, quote, four to five weeks if necessary. I spoke with Richard Fontaine, who's the CEO of the Center for a New American Security, and he says Trump reopening negotiations would be a sign that Iran is less of a threat and the U.S. could get a better deal. Here he is.
On the other hand, if things are going well militarily, and maybe it looks like there's some cracks here and there in the security forces or, you know, uprisings, he could keep this going potentially indefinitely so as to play this out.
You know, we're only three days into this war, and Iran appears to be digging in, you know, so there's still the potential that this war will further escalate.
All right, that's NPR's international affairs correspondent, Jackie Northam. Jackie, thanks.
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