Podcast Summary: Apple News Today

Episode: Iran’s leaders are holding out against Trump. Is this why?

Date: April 24, 2026
Host: Cecilia Ley
Guests: Lee Keith (AP), Scott Detrow (NPR/Pope Leo XIV biographer), Melanie Mason (POLITICO), others

Overview

This episode explores the ongoing standoff between the U.S. (under President Trump) and Iran, focusing on the state of Iranian leadership following a period of internal upheaval and external conflict. The episode also covers the impact of Pope Leo XIV’s tour of Africa and commentary on American politics, a reshuffling California governor’s race, and several noteworthy news stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Stalled Iran-U.S. Negotiations and Leadership Crisis

• Trump’s Narrative

  • Trump argues Iran is in turmoil and lacks clear leadership, freezing negotiations and making a peace deal elusive.
    • “They want to make a deal. We have been speaking to them, but they don't even know who's leading the country. They're in turmoil.” — Donald Trump [00:09]
    • Trump claims new, competing factions are paralyzing Iranian decision-making: “Their leaders are gone…they're fighting like cats and dogs for who's going to control because we've created a real mess for them.” [01:22]
  • Trump ordered U.S. forces to “shoot to kill” against Iranian vessels laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying military tensions.

• Blockades and Heightened Tension

  • Both the U.S. and Iran have imposed blockades on the Strait of Hormuz, a global oil chokepoint.
  • Each side repeatedly seizes and intercepts cargo, further pressuring talks.

2. Inside Iran’s Power Structure: More Stable Than It Looks

• Expert Perspective: Lee Keith (AP Middle East Enterprise Editor)

  • Despite appearances, Iran’s regime is historically factional and remains “a very factional system…a lot of moving parts in the way just the Islamic Republic works in terms of rule and governance and decision making.” — Lee Keith [01:46]
  • Since the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei, his son (named successor) is incapacitated and missing. Decision-making now rests with the Supreme National Security Council.
    • “It's become even more unpredictable following the killing of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His son has not been seen or heard since being named successor, and he's believed to be seriously injured.” — Cecilia Ley [01:58]
  • Despite leadership losses, the regime retains cohesion:
    • “The system has held together...there are hopes in the US and Israel that if Khamenei and the others were killed, it would fall apart. That hasn't happened.” — Lee Keith [02:25]
  • Recent confusion, such as mixed messages about reopening the Strait, reveals the balance between unity and internal critique among hardliners.
    • “The foreign minister's post drew criticism from hardliners, with some viewing it as offering a unilateral concession.” — Cecilia Ley [02:42]
  • The council is unified against opening the strait while blockades remain, seeking security guarantees in any deal.

• Negotiations Led by Mohamed Bahr Halibaf

  • The U.S. now negotiates mainly via Iranian parliament speaker Halibaf, who has ties to the Khamenei family and military elites.
  • Keith emphasizes negotiation requires consensus across Iran’s factions:
    • “Right now this council sort of has to work by consensus. No one is going to break ranks with anyone else on negotiating positions.” — Lee Keith [03:57]
  • Hardliners are divided between those strictly against concessions and pragmatists who see value in negotiation, but most believe Iran can outlast U.S. pressure.

3. Global & U.S. Political Developments

Pope Leo XIV’s African Tour and Stance on Iran War

• The Pope’s Message

  • Pope Leo XIV publicly condemns the Iran war and advocates renewed negotiation, stressing the church cannot support conflict.
  • He also criticizes capital punishment and suggests the Church’s moral focus shift beyond issues like same-sex marriage.
  • Emotional appeal: The Pope reveals he carries a photo of a Muslim Lebanese boy killed in conflict.
  • Clarifies he is not seeking confrontation with Trump:
    • “He was like, look, you're presenting this as me versus the president. I've got other stuff to do.” — Scott Detrow [06:24]

• Political Impact in the U.S.

  • Pope Leo has bipartisan appeal across U.S. Catholics and connects directly with American politics, even voting in U.S. presidential elections:
    • “He's somebody who gets the system…he's fluent in multiple languages, doing that knowing that's going to register when he wants to speak out.” — Scott Detrow [08:07]
  • The Pope’s approval rating (60%) far exceeds Trump’s (36%), per a new Reuters-Ipsos poll.
  • Prominent U.S. Catholic politicians (e.g., Marco Rubio, RFK Jr., VP J.D. Vance) help amplify the Pope’s influence.

California Governor’s Race Shakeup

• Impact of Swalwell Scandal

  • Front-runner Eric Swalwell withdraws due to sexual assault allegations, upending the Democratic field.
    • “What the Swalwell controversy did is it actually reminded people that there's a governor's race going on.” — Melanie Mason [09:20]

• Candidates & Primary Dynamics

  • Javier Becerra (former Rep. & state AG) highlighted as the candidate with deep political roots, and potential to make history as California’s first Latino governor.
  • Tom Steyer faces scrutiny for his financial background; Matt Mahan tries to distinguish himself as a tech-friendly moderate.
  • Katie Porter, known for fiery House hearings, works to overcome a viral controversy involving staff treatment.
  • California’s “top two” system could allow a Republican to advance if Democrats split the vote.
  • Steve Hilton, Trump-endorsed Fox News personality, and Sheriff Chad Bianco represent the Republican side.
  • Need for greater candidate differentiation and policy focus as the race progresses.

4. Other News Highlights

• Venezuela Coup Aftermath: U.S. Special Forces soldier charged for betting on Nicolas Maduro’s downfall, marking a first-of-its-kind DOJ insider trading case involving prediction markets.
• DOJ Epstein File Audit: Watchdog to examine the DOJ’s handling and redactions of Epstein-related documentation, particularly regarding withheld names of powerful associates.
• Budget Pre-Gaming: Rising costs lead more Americans to “pre-game” at home before going out to bars—a trend capitalized on by drink brands offering convenient, smaller bottles.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Iranian Leadership Turmoil:
  “Their leaders are gone. You know, the leaders are all gone. Part of the problem is that that's why I can't really answer your question. They have all new leadership…they're fighting like cats and dogs for who's going to control because we've created a real mess for them.”
  — Donald Trump [01:22]

• On Regime Stability:
  “I think in a lot of ways, the system has held together. There are hopes in the US and Israel that if Khamenei and the others were killed, it would fall apart. That hasn't happened.”
  — Lee Keith [02:25]

• On Iran-US Crisis Diplomacy:
  “The council is quite unified in this stance of, first of all, we're not opening the strait as long as the blockade is going on, but…they want a deal that will sort of end this conflict with the US from their perception. They've been negotiating with the US several times over the nuclear program, and they came under attack twice from the US …They want to guarantee it won't happen again.”
  — Lee Keith [03:16]

• Papal Détente:
  “In his mind, he's not fighting with Donald Trump. He was like, look, you're presenting this as me versus the president. I've got other stuff to do.”
  — Scott Detrow [06:24]

• On the Unpredictable California Race:
  “I kind of think of it as almost like jumbling a box of blocks and then just like throwing them all outside. It is so unbelievable how much it's reshaped it.”
  — Melanie Mason [08:56]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening Trump-Iran Segment: [00:04 – 04:39]
• Strait of Hormuz & Power Dynamics: [01:38 – 04:39]
• Pope Leo XIV’s Influence & Press Conference: [05:06 – 08:28]
• California Governor’s Race: [08:56 – 12:55]
• News Round-up: Maduro, Epstein Files, Pre-Gaming: [12:55 – End]

Tone & Presentation

The episode remains factual and analytical, blending direct reporting with informed expert interviews. Trump’s rhetoric is presented unvarnished, contrasted by nuanced analysis from Lee Keith. The segment on Pope Leo XIV delivers both gravitas and a sense of global perspective, powered by Scott Detrow’s insights. The California politics discussion is lively, reflecting the dynamic turmoil in the state’s race.

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive look at the complexities behind Iran’s relationship with the U.S., dissecting both the optics and realities of leadership changes and the fragile process of high-stakes negotiation. The coverage expands to offer political, cultural, and economic snapshots of a world in flux, from papal politics to California’s gubernatorial race and beyond.