NPR News Now – June 22, 2025, 2PM EDT

NPR's "News Now" delivers the latest headlines every five minutes. This summary captures the key discussions and insights from the episode released on June 22, 2025.

U.S. Military Strikes Iran’s Nuclear Facilities

Details of the Attack

At approximately [00:17], host Nora Ramm introduces breaking news about a significant U.S. military operation targeting Iran's nuclear capabilities. The attack occurred overnight and involved B2 stealth bombers and at least one submarine, marking a substantial escalation in tensions between the two nations.

Execution and Impact

Greg Myre reports that B2 bombers deployed 30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs on Iran’s nuclear sites in Fordow and Natanz. This operation also included Tomahawk missiles launched from a U.S. submarine targeting a third site in Isfahan. Notably, these B2 bombers, while used in previous conflicts, delivered their heaviest bombs in combat for the first time. The planes originated from an airbase near Kansas City and, according to a U.S. official, did not encounter resistance while in Iranian airspace ([00:33]).

U.S. Response

President Trump hailed the attacks as a "huge success," though Myre notes that a comprehensive damage assessment is pending ([00:50]). The operation underscores a significant shift in U.S. military strategy regarding Iran's nuclear program.

Iran’s Reaction

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Arachi, vehemently condemned the U.S. action. Speaking at [01:35], Arachi stated:

"The US Military attack on the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of a UN Member state... has once again revealed the extent of the United States hostility towards the peace-seeking people of Iran."

He labeled the strikes as a "criminal act of aggression" and warned that they would lead to unprecedented global danger and chaos.

International Reactions

The United Nations Security Council is set to hold an emergency session in response to the attack. Arachi is urging the UN to "unequivocally condemn" the U.S. actions ([01:55]).

European Concerns and Calls for Diplomacy

European leaders have expressed alarm over the potential for escalating conflict. Eleanor Beardsley reports that European nations are distancing themselves from the U.S. action and emphasizing the importance of negotiation. Key points include:

• French Leadership: President Emmanuel Macron reached out to regional and European leaders, advocating for dialogue and engagement. French Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barraud stressed that France was "not involved in planning or carrying out the strikes" ([02:23]).

• European Commission’s Stance: Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the need for stability in the Middle East, asserting that "the negotiating table is the only place to end this crisis" ([02:23]).

These responses reflect Europe’s commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons through diplomatic means rather than military confrontation.

National and International Updates

Extreme Heat Warnings

Nora Ramm updates listeners on severe weather conditions, noting that the National Weather Service has issued extreme heat warnings affecting over 66 million people across the Northern Plains and Midwest ([03:05]). This widespread heatwave poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Michigan Church Shooting

Tragedy struck a church near Detroit when a man opened fire during a service, resulting in at least one injury. Police reports indicate that the suspected shooter was neutralized by a security guard, preventing further casualties ([03:05]).

Spike in Tick Bites

Public health concerns are rising as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the highest rate of emergency visits for tick bites in six years. Ping Huang elaborates that emergency departments in the Northeast and Midwest are particularly affected, with Lyme disease being prevalent in these areas. Becky Eisen, a CDC biologist, explains:

"They're often difficult to find, particularly those really small nymphs, which is probably helps to explain why so many human infections are associated with nymphal bites." ([04:02])

Huang advises the public to "check yourself daily for ticks and remove them as soon as you find them" to mitigate health risks ([04:15]).

Brazil Hot Air Balloon Crash

A tragic incident in southern Brazil involved the crash of a hot air balloon, resulting in eight fatalities. Thirteen individuals, including the pilots, survived by parachuting out before the balloon caught fire and crashed ([04:29]). The operating company has temporarily suspended its operations indefinitely, despite claims of regulatory compliance.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on pivotal global and domestic events, including the unprecedented U.S. military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, escalating international tensions, severe weather conditions, public health warnings, and tragic accidents. Through detailed reporting and direct quotes from key figures, listeners are kept informed on the rapidly evolving news landscape.

For more detailed coverage and updates, listeners are encouraged to tune into NPR News Now or visit NPR’s website.