NPR News: 02-28-2026 5PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – February 28, 2026, 5PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst, NPR

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Episode Overview

This breaking news update covers a rapidly escalating international crisis in the Middle East following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, major U.S. and Israeli military strikes, and global reactions. The episode also briefly spotlights NASA's upcoming Artemis 2 lunar mission, notable box office news, and highlights from Wall Street.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Death of Iran's Supreme Leader & U.S./Israeli Military Strikes

• Main News:

  • President Trump announced on social media that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, is dead.
  • A source confirmed to NPR that Khamenei was killed by an Israeli strike (00:13).
  • Earlier today, joint U.S.-Israel strikes targeted Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure.

• President Trump's Address:

  • Trump called for regime change in Iran, referencing decades of hostile Iranian behavior and vowing broad military action against Iran's missile industry, navy, and proxies.
  • Direct warning to Iran’s leadership and citizens, emphasizing a resolve to not let Iran threaten the U.S. or its allies.
  • Quote:

    "This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States armed forces."
    – President Trump, 01:01

• Message to the Iranian People:

  • Trump urged Iranians to stay indoors for their safety, warning of ongoing bombardment and encouraging them to seize control of their country once strikes subside.
  • Quote:

    "Stay sheltered. Don't leave your home. It's very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take."
    – President Trump, 01:11

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2. Iran’s Response: Strait of Hormuz Closure & Threats

• Closure of the Strait of Hormuz:

  • Iran announced the immediate closure of the strategic waterway, vital for global oil trade (01:24).

  • All maritime navigation in the area is forbidden, as announced by state media and relayed by the IRGC Navy.

  • Quote:

    "All navigating through the Strait of Hormuz is forbidden."
    – NPR News, 01:42
    "No ship in every type is not allowed to pass from a state of hormones."
    – Iranian official, 01:46

• Threat of Drone Attacks:

  • Iran threatened to launch drone attacks on commercial vessels, promising "intense attacks during the night" targeting both military and economic interests in the region (01:52).
  • Jane Araf notes that closure could spike oil prices due to the strait's importance.

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3. European Reaction: Calls for Diplomacy

• European Leaders' Stance:

  • France, Germany, and the U.K. (the E3) called for diplomatic talks on Iran’s nuclear program to resume, while distancing themselves from the current military strikes (02:17).

  • The E3 emphasized their commitment to regional stability and civilian safety but warned Iran against destabilizing actions and violations of human rights.

  • Quote:

    "The leaders of Europe’s three most powerful countries...underlined that they are not participating in the military strikes and reiterated their commitment to regional stability and to the protection of civilian life."
    – Eleanor Beardsley, 02:31

  • The E3 also insisted that the Iranian people should determine their country's future.

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4. NASA Artemis 2 Lunar Mission Update

• Launch Delay:

  • The Artemis 2 moon mission — which will feature the first female and first Black astronauts bound for the moon — is postponed again, now targeting April at the earliest due to hydrogen and helium leaks (03:10).

• Mission Goals:

  • Beyond lunar exploration, the mission will conduct research on astronaut health and rocket performance.

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5. Entertainment Industry: Scream 7 & Studio Merger

• Box Office Leader:

  • "Scream 7" is on track to gross nearly $60 million in its opening weekend, more than any previous Scream film (03:59).

• Quote from Film:
  > "I'm gonna make everyone you love suffer."
  – Ghostface (Scream 7), 04:15

• Paramount's Takeover of Warner Brothers:

  • Paramount Pictures reportedly succeeded in a hostile takeover of Warner Brothers, marking a significant shift in Hollywood studio ownership.

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6. Financial Markets Recap

• Wall Street Performance:
  • All three major U.S. indices declined over the week, with the Dow down more than 1% (04:41).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on U.S. military action:

  "This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States armed forces." (01:01)

• Call to the Iranian people:

  "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take." (01:11)

• Iranian announcement, closing Strait of Hormuz:

  "All navigating through the Strait of Hormuz is forbidden." (01:42)

• European leaders on military strikes:

  "They are not participating in the military strikes and reiterated their commitment to regional stability and to the protection of civilian life." (02:31)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:13 – Death of Iran’s supreme leader, joint U.S./Israel strikes
• 01:01 – 01:22 – President Trump’s messages; regime change calls
• 01:24 – 02:17 – Iran closes Strait of Hormuz, threatens drones
• 02:17 – 03:10 – European leaders’ diplomatic calls
• 03:10 – 03:59 – NASA Artemis 2 mission update
• 03:59 – 04:41 – Scream 7 box office, Paramount’s merger
• 04:41 – End – Weekly Wall Street summary

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This episode is densely packed with urgent geopolitical developments, setting the stage for possible historic changes in the Middle East, while also covering significant updates in science, entertainment, and finance.

Transcript

[A]

This message comes from Carvana, who makes buying and financing your next car easy. Thousands of vehicles, terms up front and 100% online. Even get it delivered to your door. Buy your car the easy way with Carvana. Delivery fee may apply. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump said on social media today that Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, is dead. A president person briefed on the situation tells NPR he was killed by an Israeli strike. Earlier today, the U.S. and Israel conducted joint strikes on Iran. And as NPR's Tamara Keith reports, President Trump is calling for regime change.

[B]

Trump cited malign behavior by Iran and its proxies going back to the 1980s. He asserted that Iran is trying to rebuild its nuclear program and could develop a missile that may someday reach the U.S. he said Iran's missile industry, navy and proxies would all be targeted.

[C]

This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States armed forces.

[B]

He then spoke directly to the people of Iran.

[C]

Stay sheltered. Don't leave your home. It's very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take.

[B]

Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[A]

And following the strikes, Iran says it's closing the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway crucial to the world's oil trade, following the Israeli strikes.

[D]

Iran's state media said this was the announcement relayed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy to ships in the area around the strategic waterway.

[A]

All navigating through the Strait of Hormuz is forbidden.

[C]

No ship in every type is not allowed to pass from a state of hormones.

[D]

Iran also warned it planned to launch drone attacks on commercial vessels. It said they would be part of what it called intense attacks during the night targeting military and economic interests. The narrow waterway controlled by Iran connects the biggest Gulf oil producers with the export route to outside markets. Closing the strait could lead to higher oil prices. Jane Araf, NPR News, Aman.

[A]

Europe is watching from the sidelines with a mix of alarm and caution as the U.S. and Israel attack Iran. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports. France, Germany and the U.K. are calling for talks on Tehran's nuclear program to resume.

[E]

The leaders of Europe's three most powerful countries say they have long urged Iran to end its nuclear program, stop destabilizing actions in the region and cease the, quote, appalling treatment of its own citizens. Germany, France and the U.K. also known as the E3, underlined that they are not participating in the military strikes and reiterated their commitment to regional stability and to the protection of civilian life. But the leaders also condemned Iranian attacks on countries in the region and urged the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, they said, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[A]

And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. When NASA finally does launch the Artemis 2 lunar mission, among its four person crew will be the first female and first black astronauts to head to the moon. The launch was originally scheduled for February, then pushed back to March. And now the space agency says April is the earliest it could launch. Problems included hydrogen and helium leaks. It will be NASA's first moon mission in more than 50 years and will be more than just a moon mission. NASA says it will also conduct scientific research on the astronauts health, along with the rocket's performance and, of course, the moon. The seventh movie in the Scream horror franchise is making a lot of noise at the box Office this weekend. NPR's Bob Mondello has more.

[F]

Paramount Pictures has a lot to scream about this weekend. The company appears to have won its hostile takeover bid to acquire Warner Brothers, a rival Hollywood studio. And Ghostface, Paramount's masked villain in the screen Scream movies, is scaring up some serious ticket dollars.

[C]

I'm gonna make everyone you love suffer.

[F]

Industry estimates have Scream 7 bringing in nearly $60 million by Sunday night. That easily tops the opening of every previous Scream movie. It's also close to double the opening of Wuthering Heights two weeks ago, which had been the best weekend start of 2026. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

[A]

On Wall street this week, all three major indices fell from a week earlier, with the Dow Jones industrial Average down more than 1%. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[F]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR NewsNow [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.