NPR News: 06-21-2025 7AM EDT

Summary

NPR News: June 21, 2025, 7 AM EDT

Live from Washington, D.C.

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International Conflict: Escalation Between Israel and Iran

Giles Snyder kicks off the episode with an update on the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, now entering its second week. Jane Araf provides detailed coverage:

• Israeli Strikes: Iran reported that Israel conducted missile attacks on four cities overnight, including Isfahan—a site housing a nuclear facility. Despite the strikes, Iran confirmed there was no leakage of hazardous materials.

• Iranian Retaliation: In response, Iranian missiles targeted Haifa, Israel's key port city, as stated by the Israeli military.

• Stalled Diplomacy: European ministers and Iran's Foreign Minister convened in Geneva for talks on Friday, aiming to de-escalate tensions. However, the discussions did not yield significant breakthroughs. Foreign Minister Abbas Arakji remarked at [00:28], "I am open to further discussions but would not negotiate with the United States while Israel continues to attack."

U.S. Domestic Politics: Troop Deployments in Los Angeles

The conversation shifts to domestic affairs with a focus on federal troop deployments in Los Angeles:

• Vice President J.D. Vance's Stance: Reporting from Los Angeles, Steve Futterman highlights Vice President J.D. Vance's defense of deploying National Guard troops and Marines. At [01:33], Vance stated, "These deployments prevented Los Angeles from additional damage," while placing blame on California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass for the unrest.

• President Trump's Position: Building on Vance's comments, Donald Trump asserted at [01:44], "If you let violent rioters burn great American cities to the ground, then of course we're going to send federal law enforcement in to protect the people the president was elected to protect."

• Governor Newsom's Response: Contrarily, Governor Newsom contends that the federal troop deployment has exacerbated the protests. A federal appeals court's decision on Thursday allowed President Trump to retain control over California's National Guard, aligning with the administration's stance.

Security Concerns: Threats Against Jewish Communities

The episode addresses rising anti-Jewish sentiments and security threats:

• FBI Arrest in San Antonio: Dan Katz reports that the FBI apprehended a suspect linked to a threat of mass shooting at a Jewish community center in San Antonio. The Jewish Community Center (JCC) was closed on Thursday amid heightened police presence. The suspect was later detained in another state.

• Recent Attacks: This incident follows a series of high-profile attacks, including:

  • A man throwing Molotov cocktails at pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado.
  • An assailant fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers outside the Washington, D.C., Jewish Museum.

• Community Response: In response to these threats, the Jewish Federation of North America is organizing an emergency mission to Washington next week. They aim to "appeal to Congress and the Trump administration to restore, what every American deserves, the ability to live freely and securely without being targeted for who we are." This poignant plea underscores the community's urgent call for enhanced protection and support.

Extreme Weather Alerts: Heatwave Sweeps the East

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York issues warnings about an unprecedented heatwave moving eastward from the Midwest:

• At [03:22], Hochul emphasized, "The heat will intensify. On Sunday, the feels-like temperatures will approach 100 degrees. This is so unusual for all of us." She cautioned that between Monday and Thursday, "feel-like temperatures could hit 105 degrees in many parts of our state."

• Wider Impact: Major cities beyond New York, including Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., are also bracing for triple-digit temperatures. European authorities, particularly in Britain and France, have issued similar heat warnings, noting that the extreme conditions could affect even healthy individuals.

Financial Markets: Cautious Stability Amid Geopolitical Tensions

Rafael Nam delves into the current state of financial markets and economic indicators:

• Market Performance: The stock market saw minimal changes last week, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average ending virtually flat.

• Investor Sentiment: "Markets are in a bit of a standstill," Nam reports. The ongoing war between Iran and Israel, coupled with economic uncertainties, has contributed to investor caution.

• Federal Reserve Policies: The Federal Reserve maintained interest rates this week as anticipated. However, there's ambiguity surrounding potential rate cuts. Fed Governor Chris Wallace commented at [04:06], "I do not expect tariffs would have a significant impact on inflation," and suggested it might be time to consider rate cuts. Despite this, investors remain uncertain about the Fed's next moves, prompting a preference for cautious investment strategies.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the June 21, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For comprehensive coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. The war between Israel and Iran has entered its second week as the two countries trade missile attacks as potential diplomatic talks stalled. NPR's Jane Araf has more.

[Jane Araf]

Iran said Israel struck four cities overnight, including Isfahan, where a nuclear site was hit. Iran said there was no leak of hazardous materials. Iranian missiles hit Israel's port city of Haifa on Friday, according to the Israeli military. European ministers and Iran's foreign minister met in Geneva Friday. The talks did not produce a breakthrough. Foreign Minister Abbas Arakji said he was open to further discussions but would not negotiate with the United States while Israel continued to attack. Jane Araf, NPR News, Aman With Israel.

[Giles Snyder]

And Iran exchanging military strikes, President Trump due back at the White House later today. He's scheduled to participate in a National Security Council briefing this evening after telling reporters that National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard was wrong when she told Congress in March that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon. Vice President J.D. vance in Los Angeles on Friday. He met with ICE officials and some of the troops deployed to LA by the Trump administration. Here's more from reporter Steve Futterman.

[J.D. Vance]

Vance defended deployment of National Guard troops and Marines, saying it prevented Los Angeles from additional damage, and he blamed California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.

[Donald Trump]

If you let violent rioters burn great American cities to the ground, then of course we're going to send federal law enforcement in to protect the people the president was elected to protect.

[J.D. Vance]

Vance specifically accused Newsom of encouraging the violence, and he said the Trump administration was will send troops to any city that faces situations similar to L A. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

[Giles Snyder]

Governor Newsom has said Trump's deployment of troops exacerbated the protests. On Thursday, a federal appeals court left control of California's National Guard in Trump's hands. The FBI has made an arrest in connection with a threat to carry out a mass shooting at a Jewish community center in San Antonio. Texas Public Radio's Dan Katz has more.

[Dan Katz]

The JCC closed Thursday and the San Antonio Jewish community spent much of the day on edge as police presence increased around the city. By the afternoon, the FBI said the suspect was in custody in another state but didn't say which. News of the arrest follows several recent high profile attacks, including a man who threw Molotov cocktails at Pro Israel demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, and a man who shot and killed two Israeli embassy staffers outside the Washington, D.C. jewish Museum. The Jewish Federation of North America is planning an emergency mission to Washington next week to appeal to Congress and the Trump administration to restore, quote, what every American deserves, the ability to live freely and securely without being targeted for who we are. I'm Dan Katz in San Antonio, and.

[Giles Snyder]

You'Re listening to NPR News. New York Governor Kathy Hochul is warning of extreme temperatures as the first heat wave of the summer moves east out of the Midwest.

[Kathy Hochul]

The heat will intensify. On Sunday, the feels like temperatures will approach 100 degrees. This is so unusual for all of us. And then between Monday and Thursday, the feel like temperatures could hit 105 degrees in many parts of our state, not.

[Giles Snyder]

Just New York, but major cities like Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. could see highs around the triple digits. In Europe, British and French officials have issued heat warnings, saying expected highs today could impact even healthy people. Stocks ended the week little changed, with the Dow Jones industrial average ending virtually flat. Between geopolitics and the economy, NPR's Rafael Nam reports there was plenty to keep investors cautious.

[Rafael Nam]

Markets are in a bit of a standstill. The war between Iran and Israel continues. Then there's the economy. The Federal Reserve kept interest rates on hold this week, as expected, but there's no certainty about when policymakers will be ready to cut interest rates. The main concern is that President Trump tariffs will aggravate inflation, but not all Fed officials are that concerned. On Friday, Fed Governor Chris Wallace said he did not expect tariffs would have a significant impact on inflation, and he suggested the Fed should start considering rate cuts. Investors are not so sure that will happen, though, and for now are opting for caution. Rafael Nam, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

And I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington.

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