
Loading summary
Scott Detrow
It's Consider this where every day we go deep on one big news story today, a peace deal in jeopardy. On Monday, while trying to negotiate an end to the war, the United States launched new attacks in self defense in southern Iran. That is according to US Central Command. The targets, missile launch sites and Iranian boats trying to lay mines near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says the US Strikes violated the ceasefire currently in place and in retaliation shot down a US Drone overnight.
Marco Rubio
It's illegal. It's unsustainable for the world. It's unacceptable.
Scott Detrow
That's Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaking to reporters Tuesday in India.
Marco Rubio
It's either going to be a good deal or there isn't going to be one.
Scott Detrow
Consider this. This new round of attacks comes as both sides ramp up talks about ending the war. But is there still a path forward with Iran? From npr, I'm Scott Detrow.
Prolon Sponsor
This message comes from Prolon. Want to look and feel your best this spring? Prolon's five Day Fasting Mimicking Diet is a clinically developed nutrition program with the goal of promoting fat loss while protecting lean body mass. Developed at USC's Longevity Institute, it aims to assist the body in entering a fasting like state that helps reset metabolism, target visceral fat and support healthy metabolic markers. Get 15% off plus a bonus gift when you subscribe@prolonlife.com NPR this message comes
Carvana Sponsor
from NPR sponsor Carvana. Carvana believes selling your car should be refreshingly simple. Enter your license plate or vin, get a real offer down to the penny and schedule a pickup on your time. No surprises. Sell your car today@carvana.com pickup fees may apply.
Planet Money Promo
Each story you hear on Planet Money starts with a what happens if we refund tariffs? Why are groceries so expensive? At npr, we stand for your right to be curious because the forces shaping our world can be hard to see. Follow NPR's Planet Money. Wherever you get your podcasts and start seeing how the economy really works,
Scott Detrow
It's consider this from npr. Despite the violence, neither Iran nor the United States appear to be pulling back on diplomatic efforts to reach an interim deal to end the almost three month war that has brought shipping to a halt in the Strait of Hormuz and affected the global economy. To tell us more, I'm joined by NPR White House correspondent Franco Ordonez and NPR's correspondent in Dubai, Aya Batrawi. Hey to both of you.
Aya Batrawi
Hi.
Franco Ordonez
Hey, Scott.
Scott Detrow
Franco, let me start with you. President Trump announced a deal was in
Unnamed Interviewer or Moderator
the final stages and then a day later said there was no rush.
Scott Detrow
What do you make of, yet again,
Unnamed Interviewer or Moderator
another round of whiplash like this?
Franco Ordonez
Yeah, Trump kicked off the weekend kind of hailing a groundbreaking deal that would be announced shortly. And, you know, of course, Trump's been under a lot of pressure to reach a deal as soon as possible. Polls show that the war is unpopular, and he's also making Republicans worry about their chances in this fall's midterm elections. Now, over the weekend, Trump didn't offer details about what that deal would be, other than to say that the Strait of Hormuz would be open. But what was really fascinating is that one of his biggest allies, Senator Lyn Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, went public with his opposition, basically blasting a potential deal that he argued would allow Iran to be a dominant force in the region and even questioned whether the war would have been worth it. He, of course, Scott, was not the only Republican. Trump's former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, from the first administration, said the deal was not remotely America first, adding that it looked like it was being negotiated by officials from the Obama administration that received a rebuke from Trump officials. And yet by Sunday, Trump was taking or talking a very different tune, saying that while negotiations were ongoing, that, as you noted, there was no rush. And then we had the strikes from yesterday, which the Trump administration called defensive.
Unnamed Interviewer or Moderator
So that's the US Side of things. Ayo, what is Iran saying about a possible deal and these attacks?
Aya Batrawi
So Iran's Foreign Ministry says this is yet another violation of the ceasefire. And that, quote, once again, this exposes the malice and bad faith of the US Toward Iran. And they note that this happened alongside side efforts at diplomacy. And Tehran says this is part of the criminal nature of the US Toward Iran. Also, the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Aerospace force said they stand ready to respond upon the directive of Iran's supreme Leader, Mustaba Khamenei, who has not been seen or heard from since his father, the former supreme leader, his mother, wife and child were killed on the first day of this war in Israeli airstrikes. But Khamenei did release a written message today. He said that countries in the region will no longer be shields for American military bases.
Scott Detrow
Franco, let's go back to the US Side. Trump seemed to be taking almost a
Unnamed Interviewer or Moderator
victory lap in that initial announcement.
Scott Detrow
But is it fair to say this is becoming a trend here, announcing an imminent deal, then pulling back?
Franco Ordonez
I mean, I would say it was. I mean, I took a quick look this morning, and while I'd say this was the most emphatic that he's been about an upcoming deal. I mean, he has publicly suggested that a deal was near more than a half dozen times dating back all the way to late March when he said Iran wants to make a deal. I mean, he's repeated several different variations, that a deal is closed, that an agreement was largely negotiated, that a framework exists, and that the agreement would be finalized shortly. But then of course, it doesn't happen. And the reality is that while the president has repeatedly kind of projected this optimism, there has yet to be anything concrete or yet to be anything finalized.
Unnamed Interviewer or Moderator
And amid all this, Iran's position on these talks has been pretty tough.
Scott Detrow
Aya, tell us what the, the specific demands are, right?
Aya Batrawi
I mean, these talks are just a kickstarter for there to be direct talks again between the US And Iran. So this is only an interim deal, but now Iran has leverage they didn't have before this war and that's their control over the Strait of Hormuz. And this hardened regime does not trust the Trump administration. Trump withdrew the US From Iran's nuclear deal with the US in his first term. And then wars were launched on Iran during the last two rounds of nuclear talks in June and then in February. And now Iran is demanding what they call confidence building measures due to that distrust. Scott, what they want is they want the US to unfreeze their money that is locked in accounts in Qatar. And this was the focus of talks yesterday in Qatar by a senior Iranian delegation that included the head of Iran's negotiation team and the head of Iran's central bank. Iranian state media say Iran wants $12 billion to be accessible at the start of any interim deal, that the other half, the remaining $12 billion be transferred during the next 60 days of any ceasefire extension. And they said no agreement is possible until the agreed amount is deposited because of past breaches of trust. Another demand, Scott, is that Iran wants an end to Israel's war in Lebanon, where Israeli troops occupy a huge part of the south and are fighting Iran backed Hezbollah. But Israel wants to continue that war, which has killed more than 3,000 Lebanese, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Now Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Trump assured him Israel can continue to carry out operations in Lebanon, which he described as self defense. Israeli officials also tell NPR Netanyahu does not want to end the Iran either.
Unnamed Interviewer or Moderator
And Franco Israel is opposed to Trump's efforts to try to make a deal with Iran.
Scott Detrow
So Trump is now trying to include as part of that deal an expansion of diplomatic ties with Israel and other countries in the Middle East. How would that complicate things?
Franco Ordonez
I mean, look, the Abraham Accords are seen by Iran as anti Iran. And it was part of the initial announcement that Trump thanked all the intermediaries, like Pakistan, like Saudi Arabia, who assisted with the negotiations. But Trump also emphasized that their efforts would go further by joining the Abraham Accords, you know, the regional agreement that seeks to normalize relations with Israel. Now, this is not necessarily new. Trump has previously said that any agreement should include a requirement that the countries join the accords. But this really looks to be an effort to entice Israel to accept the deal. And Netanyahu has also faced criticism over the deal.
Scott Detrow
EA how have countries in the region
Unnamed Interviewer or Moderator
responded to all of this?
Aya Batrawi
I mean, we're talking about countries like Turkey and Pakistan as well. These are heavyweights that can't be pushed into a, a decision like this that is rejected by their populations just because Trump says so. And while there has been some commentary, we haven't seen any official statements in response to this which suggests that this isn't something being given serious attention. There was a report in the Saudi owned Al Arabeya quoting an unnamed Saudi official who simply repeated Saudi Arabia's long stated position that any deal with Israel is contingent on there being a pathway toward a Palestinian state. But that is something Israeli leaders say will not happen.
Scott Detrow
That is NPR's Ayo Batrawy and Franco Ordonez. Thanks to both of you.
Franco Ordonez
Thank you, Scott.
Aya Batrawi
Thanks a lot.
Scott Detrow
This episode was produced by Alejandra Marques Honza and Karen Zamora with audio engineering by Ted Mebane. It was edited by James Heider, Rebecca Metzler and Timbit Ermias. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun. It's considered this from npr. I'm Scott Detrowed.
Date: May 26, 2026
Host: Scott Detrow
Guests: Franco Ordoñez (NPR White House Correspondent), Aya Batrawi (NPR Correspondent, Dubai)
Episode Length: ~9 minutes (excluding ads)
This episode explores the precarious state of U.S.-Iran diplomacy after new American strikes in southern Iran, examining the impact of these escalations on ongoing peace negotiations. Host Scott Detrow, with NPR correspondents Franco Ordoñez and Aya Batrawi, dissects the fluctuating U.S. narrative, Iran's hardened stance, and the broader Middle Eastern diplomatic climate, including Israel’s pivotal role and the reluctance of regional states to shift alliances.
Background:
Quote:
Trump Administration’s Position:
Quote:
Iran’s Response:
Quote:
Israeli Opposition:
Quote:
Reluctance of Neighbors:
Quote:
This episode highlights the complexity of negotiating peace with Iran amidst ongoing military action and mutual distrust. While President Trump publicly oscillates between optimism and caution, internal U.S. divisions and Iran’s hardened negotiating stance, including financial and geopolitical demands, create a stall in progress. Israel remains staunchly opposed to any deal seen as favorable to Iran or limiting its operations, while regional powers are unwilling to shift alliances without substantial concessions for Palestinians. Despite diplomatic overtures, real breakthroughs remain elusive as tensions in the region—and on the world stage—remain high.