Iran Talks And Strikes, Senate Opportunities For Democrats, Ebola Outbreak Epicenter

Summary

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Up First from NPR — May 28, 2026

Episode Theme:
This episode covers three top stories: renewed violence and diplomatic twists in the Iran-Israel regional conflict, shifting U.S. Senate races with new Democratic opportunities, and the escalating Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo.

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1. Iran Talks and Regional Conflict

Correspondents: Steve Inskeep (Host), Amy Martinez (Host), Aya Batrawi (NPR International Correspondent, Dubai)

Main Points

• Ongoing Hostilities Despite Peace Efforts
  • U.S., Iran, and Israel are still exchanging fire, with U.S. forces shooting down Iranian drones and striking areas along Iran's coast (02:56).
  • Iran’s Revolutionary Guard retaliated by targeting a U.S. base in Kuwait and attempted to intercept a U.S. commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Ceasefire Complications and Israeli Actions
  • Despite alleged ceasefires, Israeli attacks are intensifying in Gaza, and Israel is pursuing its war in Lebanon, issuing evacuation warnings for Tyre (03:47).
  • Over one million people have been displaced in Lebanon; shelters in Beirut are overflowing (04:00).
• Diplomatic Tensions
  • President Trump is seeking a diplomatic resolution, with Gulf Arab states and mediators like Oman involved, but tempers flare. Trump issued a threat to Oman regarding control over the Strait of Hormuz:

    “Nobody’s going to control [the Strait]; it’s international waters. And Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up. They understand that. They’ll be fine now.”
    — Dr. Esther Stark, quoting President Trump (05:30)

• Key Obstacle
  • Iran insists no deal is possible unless the war in Lebanon ends (04:45, 05:40).
  • Ongoing negotiations include a draft deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and extend the ceasefire but leave out deeper issues like Iran’s nuclear program.

Notable Quotes

• “More than a million people displaced—like the entire population of Indianapolis.” — Steve Inskeep (04:45)
• “Trump shocked people with a threat to blow up Oman... in response to a question about control over the Strait of Hormuz.” — Aya Batrawi (05:00)

Timestamps

• Gulf Hostilities & U.S.-Iran Tensions: 02:29–05:00
• Israel-Lebanon Escalation: 03:47–04:45
• Trump’s Diplomatic Position & Statements: 05:00–06:02

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2. Senate Race Dynamics and Democratic Hopes

Correspondents: Steve Inskeep (Host), Amy Martinez (Host), Stephen Fowler (NPR Political Reporter, Atlanta)

Main Points

• Texas Becomes Competitive
  • Texas, traditionally a Republican stronghold, now sees the race as uncertain. Scandal-plagued Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican Senate nomination, ousting incumbent John Cornyn (06:44).
  • Democrat James Talarico enjoys unity and fundraising momentum, while Paxton faces party division and scandal attacks (06:52).
• National Map and Democratic Strategy
  • Opportunity for Democrats due to Republican retirements, tumultuous primaries, and Trump’s low approval ratings (06:20).
  • Democrats need to hold Georgia and Michigan, and flip four among North Carolina, Maine, Ohio, Iowa, Texas, and Alaska (07:55).
  • Changing demographics and enthusiasm among Democrats could tilt key races, notably Texas.
• Republican Challenges
  • Without Trump on the ballot, GOP turnout could dip, while Paxton’s scandals might discourage moderates from voting (08:36).
• Upcoming Primaries and Open Races
  • Iowa Democrats must choose between Josh Turek and Zach Walls as their candidate.
  • Michigan Republicans are optimistic about a potential flip, with the primary ahead in August (09:17).

Notable Quotes

• “Now there’s no incumbency advantage there... And [Paxton] is now their nominee.” — Stephen Fowler (06:52)
• “Democrats haven’t won statewide in Texas in three decades, but…the way polls are looking, that could very likely be the 51st seat for Democrats.” — Stephen Fowler (07:55)
• “Think about it like a game of tug of war…Democrats are hoping to bring back some people they lost in recent elections…and that may be enough.” — Stephen Fowler (08:36)

Timestamps

• Texas Senate Battle: 06:44–07:28
• National Senate Map & Strategy: 07:55–09:42
• Primaries in Iowa & Michigan: 09:17–09:42

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3. Ebola Outbreak Escalates in the DRC

Correspondents: Steve Inskeep (Host), Amy Martinez (Host), Emmett Livingstone (NPR, Kinshasa), Dr. Esther Stark (Doctors Without Borders, Mongualu)

Main Points

• Scope and Severity
  • Over 1,000 suspected cases and 200 deaths, likely underreported; neighboring countries (Rwanda, Uganda) have closed borders to contain the spread (10:16).
  • The outbreak epicenter is Mongualu, a gold mining town in Ituri province, marked by militia violence, poverty, and a ruined health system (10:46).
• Challenges for Health Workers
  • Many residents doubt Ebola exists; attacks on hospitals and isolation tents; large areas of Mongualu have become dangerous and cut off.
  • Delays in diagnostic testing and overwhelmed facilities mean many community deaths go uncounted.

    “Every day there are many community deaths and suspected patients arriving at the hospital, which probably only is a small proportion of all cases at the moment.” — Dr. Esther Stark (11:24)

• International and Regional Response
  • Uganda confirms seven cases so far; U.S. and Canada announce travel and entry bans for exposed residents.
  • U.S. establishing a facility in Kenya for potentially exposed Americans; commitment to block Ebola from entering the country, per Secretary Marco Rubio (11:56).
• Urgent Needs and Obstacles
  • Containment focus: PPE, testing, isolation units, contact tracing. Efforts are slowed by poor diagnostics, security risks, weak infrastructure, and corruption.
  • No vaccine available for this Ebola strain; for many, help arrives too late (13:24).

Notable Quotes

• “Catastrophic is the word that really sums it up.” — Emmett Livingstone (10:46)
• “The most urgent needs are PPE, testing capacity, isolation units, and...tracing known contacts.” — Emmett Livingstone (12:36)

Timestamps

• Ebola Outbreak Overview: 10:16–10:46
• Mongualu Challenges & Dr. Stark’s Perspective: 10:46–11:43
• Border Closures & International Responses: 11:56–12:34
• Containment Challenges: 12:36–13:24

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “More than a million people displaced—that’s like the entire population of my home city...”
  — Steve Inskeep (04:45)

• “Nobody’s going to control [the Strait]; it’s international waters and Oman will behave... or we’ll have to blow them up.”
  — Cited remark from President Trump (05:30)

• “Every day there are many community deaths and suspected patients arriving at the hospital, which probably only is a small proportion of all cases at the moment.”
  — Dr. Esther Stark, Doctors Without Borders (11:24)

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Episode Flow and Takeaways

• The episode deftly navigates rapidly changing Middle East dynamics, undercut by hard-line statements, regional diplomacy, and dire on-the-ground conditions.
• U.S. domestic politics face surprising volatility, especially in Texas, with scandal and party division opening rare Senate opportunities for Democrats.
• The Ebola crisis in Congo is a humanitarian emergency complicated by conflict, infrastructure, and disbelief among locals—spotlighting international concern and the difficulties of deploying effective aid.

For listeners looking to catch up or dive deeper, these stories are continuing to develop and reflect some of the major global and domestic challenges at mid-2026.

Transcript

[Amy Martinez]

The U.S. iran and Israel keep opening fire in a regional war that was supposed to have stopped.

[Steve Inskeep]

President Trump is still pursuing peace and throws in a passing threat against Oman. At what point would we say the war is Back on?

[Amy Martinez]

I'm IO Martinez. That is Steve Inskeep. And this is up first from NPR News. A U.S. senate race in Texas went from safely Republican to uncertain. Republicans nominated the scandal plagued state attorney general. They overwhelmingly rejected the incumbent senator who had easily won the seat in the past. What does that mean for the party's chances of keeping control of the Senate?

[Steve Inskeep]

Also, the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo is getting worse. What is life like in the city of almost a million people that's at the center of the outbreak? Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.

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[Steve Inskeep]

At what point would we say the Iran war is back on?

[Amy Martinez]

Peace talks continue between the US and ir, but so do exchanges. A fire. We're tracking attacks spanning from Lebanon to the Strait of Hormuz and even in Gaza, where, despite a ceasefire there, Israeli attacks have been intensifying.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR international correspondent Aya Batrawi is following all of this from Dubai. Hi there.

[Aya Batrawi]

Hey, good morning.

[Steve Inskeep]

Let's start with the situation in the Gulf. What's happening?

[Aya Batrawi]

All right. The U.S. says its forces shot down Iranian drones around the Strait of Hormuz and that they struck an area along Iran's coast overnight. That's according to a US Official who spoke with NPR now this morning. Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it responded to that US Attack on Bandar Abbas by targeting, quote, the American base from which that attack originated. And Kuwait this morning says it intercepted drones. So it appears Iran's attack was on US Positions there. Also, the Revolutionary Guard says it fired at an American commercial vessel trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz yesterday and forced it to turn around. But, Steve, as you said, all this is happening alongside an effort by both sides to permanently end the war.

[Steve Inskeep]

Yeah. Although Israel, the US Ally here, has insisted it does not favor making a deal with Iran and also that regardless of any deal, it wants to continue its war in Lebanon. This other front, what is happening there?

[Aya Batrawi]

What's happening there is that Israel just issued evacuation warnings for one of the country's biggest cities there, Tyre. This displacement for Tyre in southern Lebanon really expands Israel's war, pushing it deeper into Lebanon. NPR's Jane Aref and Joaed Driskala were speaking with families fleeing Tyre near the main coastal road who told them they have no idea where they're going to sleep and that they had no choice but to flee because of Israel's deadly airstrikes on that city. Now there's already more than a million people displaced by Israel in this war in Lebanon, and people are sleeping on sidewalks in the capital, Beirut, with shelters overflowing. Lebanon's health ministry says nearly 3,300 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in this war. Hundreds of them are women and children and more than 100 medics and first responders. And Israel says that more than 20 Israeli soldiers and several civilians have been killed by Hezbollah fire. But Iran says there can be no deal with the US without that war in Lebanon also ending. So Israel ending war is going to be key.

[Steve Inskeep]

I appreciate hearing more than a million people displaced. That is like the entire population of my home city, Indianapolis. A million people. So how is President Trump moving ahead with negotiations given all the exchanges of fire you just described?

[Aya Batrawi]

You know, it's hard to say if a deal is imminent. But all indications are that Trump is pursuing a diplomatic solution with Iran right now, not more war. That's what Gulf Arab states want as well, including mediators like Oman, which has long been a neutral, peaceful and trusted go between for Washington and Tehran. But yesterday, Trump shocked people with a threat to blow up Oman. It was in response to a question at the White House about whether Iran and Oman, which border the Strait of Hormuz, would control access to this waterway under any deal. Have a listen.

[Dr. Esther Stark]

Nobody's going to control it's international waters and Oman will behave just like everybody else who will have to blow them up. They understand that. They'll be fine now.

[Aya Batrawi]

Meanwhile, Steve, a person familiar with the matter and not authorized to speak publicly told NPR Trump just shared with Israel's prime minister and several leaders in the region a draft of the Iran deal for their comments and to emphasize this is only an interim deal to extend the current ceasefire to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This would not include details on Iran's nuclear program. And again, Iran is insisting for that deal to happen, that war in Lebanon has to end.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay. So many, many things yet to be negotiated. NPRZEH Batrawai thanks as always. Appreciate it.

[Aya Batrawi]

Thanks, Ste.

[Steve Inskeep]

There are two ways for Democrats to think about their chances of winning a majority in the Senate this fall.

[Amy Martinez]

Okay, one way suggests their chances are slim. Democrats need to pick up four seats, which requires them to win some very red states, possibly including Texas. Now, the other way suggests their chances are better. Republican retirements, divisive primaries and President Trump's low approval seem to give Democrats a chance in red states, possibly including Texas.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Stephen Fowler has an assessment. Stephen, good morning.

[Stephen Fowler]

Good morning.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, start with Texas. Ken Paxton, state attorney general, won the primary, knocked off Senator John Cornyn. So what makes that race a little harder for Republicans?

[Stephen Fowler]

Well, now there's no incumbency advantage there. Paxton had decisive margins in this week's runoff, but there was lower turnout in the official Republican Senate campaign. Arms spent months running brutal attack ads against Paxton, and he's now their nominee. All the while, Democrat James Talarico has been a fundraising juggernaut, has way more party unity behind him. It's a favorable environment environment for Democrats and he is already leaning in on the myriad scandals that have plagued Paxton's time in office.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, so Democrats feel good about their candidate. Republicans feel a little less good. Is this pattern repeated in some other states?

[Stephen Fowler]

Well, I also want to note that's kind of the inverse of the 2022 midterms where Republicans had the structural advantage trying to knock off Democrats in a redder year. But you had Trump back. Nominees fall short in competitive states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Arizona. But you are right. There are several states this year where Democrats have the best candidates actually hope for against vulnerable incumbents, and they're hoping to ride away.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, so we mentioned Texas already, but walk us across the whole map here.

[Stephen Fowler]

Democrats need to hold on to Georgia and Michigan and flip four of the following. North Carolina, Maine, Ohio, Iowa, Texas, and Alaska. Some of those are red states, others a bit more purple In a normal year. You may think that's a Sisyphean task. I mean, Democrats haven't won statewide in Texas in three decades, for example. But the way polls are looking and with the demographics of Texas in particular, that could very likely be that 51st seat for Democrats.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, so you just named about half a dozen purple or red states. Democrats would need to win several of them. How do you get to the point where a Democrat would win in a heavily Republican state?

[Stephen Fowler]

Think about it like a game of tug of war. And in this case, Republicans have to contend with Trump not being on the ballot, cheering people on, and then maybe having some of his supporters not showing up to help. Plus, some of the moderate who might be opposed to Paxton might stay home, too. Then on the other side, Democrats are hoping to bring back some of the people that they lost in recent elections. And they're anchored by a base of supporters who are also stronger, more energized, and more determined to vote. And that may be enough to pull Talarico across the finish line here.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, so that is the way things would look in Texas, but we mentioned these other states. I guess in some states, the candidates are not entirely settled.

[Stephen Fowler]

Right, right. Still worth watching. Iowa Democrats on Tuesday have to decide who they want to face off against. Representative Ashley Henson. The options there are Josh Turek and Zach Walls. And then Michigan's primary is the beginning of August, and that's one where Republicans are actually feeling the most optimistic for a flip right now. But you know, Steve, this is politics, so things always change.

[Steve Inskeep]

It's a good point. There are states where Democrats are on the offensive trying to flip a seat, but they are desperate to hold on in place like Michigan as well. Stephen, thanks so much.

[Stephen Fowler]

Thank you.

[Steve Inskeep]

That's NPR political reporter Stephen Fowler, who's in Atlanta. Some other news now. The director general of the World Health Organization is expected to arrive today in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is struggling to contain an Ebola outbreak.

[Amy Martinez]

Officials say there are more than 1,000 suspected cases and over 200 suspected deaths. Though the figures are likely far higher. Neighboring Rwanda and Uganda have closed their borders with Congo.

[Steve Inskeep]

We're joined now by Emmett Livingstone from the DRC's capital, Kinshasa. Welcome back.

[Emmett Livingstone]

Thank you for having me.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay. Before even making the visit, the WHO Director General described eastern Congo as, quote, a catastrophic collision of disease and conflict. How bad is it?

[Emmett Livingstone]

Catastrophic is the word that really sums it up. The WHO Director General may see it for himself when he travels later this week to the Epice in a Turi province in eastern Congo. This is a region riven by militia violence and extreme poverty. And the health system there is a broken shell. The heart of the outbreak is a remote gold mining town called Mongualu. And health workers and NGOs there face huge challenges. Some residents don't believe that Ebola exists. There have been violent attacks on the hospital and on Ebola isolation. Tents and parts of the town are now no go zones. I've been speaking to Dr. Esther Stark, a tropical disease specialist for Doctors Without Borders in Mongualu.

[Dr. Esther Stark]

Every day there are many community deaths and suspected patients arriving at the hospital, which probably only is a small proportion of all cases at the moment. And one of the big challenges is the lack of diagnostics capacity, where often it takes many, many days before the laboratory results come out.

[Emmett Livingstone]

So put simply, the hospitals and NGOs are overwhelmed and struggling to keep up with the scale of the outbreak.

[Steve Inskeep]

We heard a say that Rwanda closed their border, Uganda closed its border. The neighboring countries must be very concerned.

[Emmett Livingstone]

Neighboring countries are really on high alert. Uganda has so far recorded seven confirmed cases according to its health ministry. But concern is now spreading internationally as well. It's not just regional. Canada has announced a 90 day entry ban for residents from Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. Last week the US banned non citizens who had traveled to any of those three countries from entering. The White House confirms the US is establishing a facility in Kenya for Americans who may have been exposed to Ebola but who aren't showing symptoms. And Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the administration and I quote, cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola to enter the United States.

[Steve Inskeep]

What are the most urgent needs right now?

[Emmett Livingstone]

The immediate priorities are containing the virus. And that requires ppe, a ramping up of testing capacity, isolation units and tracing known contacts of suspected Ebola cases. There are major gaps in diagnostics, delays of days in confirming cases who are showing symptoms, which is slowing a response. Security and access remain critical issues in conflicted areas like Ituri and there is $500 million of international aid that has been pledged. But much of the work on the ground is still only just beginning. And the delivery of aid is hampered by insecurity, by logistics, by weak health infrastructure, and unfortunately, in some places by corruption. Unlike some other Ebola strains, there is currently no vaccine for this one. And for many communities, help is only arriving after the dead have already been buried.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay. We will continue listening for your reporting from Congo. Emmett Livingstone in Kinshasa, thanks so much.

[Emmett Livingstone]

Thank you.

[Steve Inskeep]

And that's up first for this Thursday, May 28th. I'm Steve Inskeep and Amy Martinez.

[Amy Martinez]

Today's episode of up first was edited by Miguel Macias, Megan Pratz, Tara Neal, Tina Kraia, Mohamed El Bardisi and Lindsey Todi was produced by Ziad Buch and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carly Strange. And our deputy executive producer is Kelly Dickens. Join us again tomorrow.

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