Trump Strikes Iran, View From Israel, Iran's Options

Summary

Up First from NPR – Episode Summary: "Trump Strikes Iran, View From Israel, Iran's Options"
Release Date: June 23, 2025

NPR’s “Up First” delivers a comprehensive and insightful overview of the escalating tensions between the United States, Iran, and Israel following the recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. This summary captures the key discussions, expert analyses, and diverse perspectives presented in the episode.

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1. Overview of the U.S. Military Strikes on Iran

The episode opens with Layla Falden and Michelle Martin reporting on the Trump administration’s defense of its recent military action against Iran. The White House asserts that the targeted strikes were solely aimed at disabling Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Layla Falden [00:02]: "The White House is defending its decision to strike Iran over the weekend. It says destroying Iran's nuclear sites was the singular goal."

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2. U.S. Administration's Stance and Concerns of Retaliation

Michelle Martin introduces the segment with NPR White House Correspondent Deepa Shivram, who delves into the administration's perspective post-strike.

Deepa Shivram [03:45]:
"President Trump was in Washington all of yesterday, but he didn't have any public events. ... Vice President J.D. Vance also spoke to several of the Sunday shows defending the president's decision."

J.D. Vance [04:10]: "We have no interest in a protracted conflict. We have no interest in boots on the ground. The president has actually been one of the fiercest critics of 25 years of failed foreign policy in the Middle East, which is why he did what he did, a very precise, a very surgical strike tailored to an American national interest."

Vance emphasizes that the administration seeks to avoid prolonged conflict and ground engagements, focusing instead on precise military action.

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3. Congressional Reactions and Political Fallout

The episode highlights the divided response within the U.S. Congress. While most Republicans support President Trump, some, like GOP Representative Thomas Massie, question the constitutional authority of the President to authorize such strikes without Congressional approval.

Deepa Shivram [05:02]:
"Democrats have been extremely critical of the strike. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for example, said it was grounds for impeachment."

The episode also notes President Trump’s backlash against dissenting voices, with threats to campaign against lawmakers who oppose his actions.

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4. International Reactions and NATO Summit Implications

Deepa Shivram discusses the geopolitical ramifications, particularly concerning the upcoming NATO summit in the Netherlands.

Deepa Shivram [06:27]:
"UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer posted on X and said that the US took action to alleviate the threat of Iran's nuclear program. But the main focus of the summit will be trying to get NATO members to spend more on their defense."

This segment underscores the delicate balance between addressing immediate security threats and broader alliance priorities.

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5. On-the-Ground Perspectives from Israel

NPR’s Hadil Al Shalchi provides a vivid account from Tel Aviv, illustrating the direct impact of the conflict on Israeli soil.

Hadil Al Shalchi [07:36]:
"An entire residential high rise building was gutted. ... People say that Iran has posed an existential threat to Israel with its nuclear program for decades and that Israel had to do something about it."

Hadil details the ongoing missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, highlighting the local support for military actions aimed at degrading Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities.

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6. Israel’s Strategic Objectives and Future Actions

Hadil Al Shalchi outlines Israel’s goals amid the conflict, emphasizing the intention to prevent a prolonged back-and-forth of retaliatory strikes.

Hadil Al Shalchi [09:08]:
"It largely depends on Iran and how it retaliates. ... There is a feeling here that Israel wants to find a way to wrap up this war with the help of the US and the US says it's time for talks and diplomacy."

Additionally, discussions around potential regime change in Iran are addressed, with Israeli leadership focusing on neutralizing immediate threats while seeking diplomatic resolutions.

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7. Iran’s Potential Responses and Strategic Dilemmas

National Security Correspondent Greg Myhrey explores the spectrum of Iran’s possible reactions to the U.S. strikes.

Greg Myhrey [10:40]:
"Iran's Revolutionary Guards released a video overnight with a spokesman saying the U.S. will face, quote, regrettable and unpredictable consequences. ... Iran's foreign minister Abbas Iragchi ... said his country has the right to respond and, quote, reserves all options to defend its security."

Potential responses include missile or drone attacks on U.S. military personnel in the region, disruption of oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, cyber-attacks, or seeking diplomatic negotiations. However, Iran faces a strategic quandary: responding militarily could escalate the conflict further, while refraining might portray vulnerability.

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8. Public Opinion and Future Implications

The episode touches on American public sentiment, noting that prior to the strikes, a majority opposed U.S. military involvement in such conflicts. The current administration’s actions, including rhetoric around regime change, may influence public support for future engagements.

Deepa Shivram [05:02]:
"...one poll before the US Strike on Iran showed that most Americans think the US Military shouldn't get involved in the conflict. ... President Trump is someone who ran his campaign talking about how the US Wouldn't get involved in more foreign wars."

The episode concludes by pondering the long-term consequences of the strikes, including the potential destabilization of the global non-proliferation regime and the possibility of entrenched cycles of retaliation.

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Conclusion

NPR’s “Up First” episode provides an in-depth analysis of the multifaceted crisis involving the U.S., Iran, and Israel. Through expert interviews and firsthand accounts, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the strategic, political, and human dimensions of the conflict, as well as the precarious path ahead for diplomatic resolution and regional stability.

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Notable Contributors:

• Michelle Martin – Host
• Layla Falden – Co-host
• Deepa Shivram – NPR White House Correspondent
• Hadil Al Shalchi – Reporter from Tel Aviv
• Greg Myhrey – National Security Correspondent

Production Team: Edited by Krishnadev Kalimor, Alex Leff, Andrew Sussman, Janaya Williams, and Alice Wolfley. Produced by Ziad Buch, Nia Dumas, and Christopher Thomas, with engineering support from Stacy Abbott and technical direction by Carly Strange.

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For more detailed coverage and analysis, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to NPR’s “Up First” and support local NPR stations at donate.npr.org.

Transcript

[Layla Falden]

The White House is defending its decision to strike Iran over the weekend. It says destroying Iran's nuclear sites was the singular goal.

[J.D. Vance]

We have no interest in a protracted conflict. We have no interest in boots on the ground.

[Michelle Martin]

What is Congress saying?

[Layla Falden]

I'm Layla Falden with Michelle Martin, and this is up first from NPR News. Israel says it won't be dragged into.

[Michelle Martin]

A war of attrition as Iran and Israel continue to trade fire. Meanwhile, Iran is considering how it plans to respond to the U.S. attack.

[Pete Hegseth]

Iran would not be able to manage an escalation with the United States, which even if it retaliated, it will only invite greater and greater American military action.

[Michelle Martin]

Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day.

[NPR Sponsor]

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[Michelle Martin]

The Trump administration is defending its strikes on three nuclear targets in Iran over the weekend, beginning with President Trump's address to the nation following the attacks.

[Pete Hegseth]

Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.

[Michelle Martin]

Other world leaders have expressed concern and in some cases, condemnation.

[Layla Falden]

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, is calling for a ceasefire.

[Pete Hegseth]

We have a window of opportunity to return to dialogue and diplomacy. If that window closes, violence and destruction could reach unthinkable levels and the global non proliferation regime as we know it could crumble and fall.

[Layla Falden]

And Iran's foreign minister Abbas Arokchi, spoke to reporters in Turkey. His comments were broadcast by the ap.

[Pete Hegseth]

The US Administration holds sole and full responsibility for the consequences of its actions, including the Islamic Republic of Iran's right to self defense under the principles of the United Charter.

[Layla Falden]

The decision for the US to intervene came a little over a week after Israel launched a series of strikes on Iran that prompted both sides to begin trading missiles.

[Michelle Martin]

We will be looking at the impact, the reaction and what the consequences may be starting here in Washington, D.C. with NPR White House correspondent Deepa Shivram. She's with us now to talk it through. Good morning, Deepa.

[Deepa Shivram]

Hey, good morning.

[Michelle Martin]

So what has the White House said since the strike and are they worried about any kind of retaliation from Iran?

[Deepa Shivram]

Well, the president was in Washington all of yesterday, but he didn't have any public events. He did have another intelligence briefing with his National Security Council last night, though. So we really haven't heard much else from the president on this issue. But administration officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held a briefing yesterday morning. Vice President J.D. vance also spoke to several of the Sunday shows defending the president's decision. Here's vance speaking to NBC's Meet the Press yesterday.

[J.D. Vance]

We have no interest in a protracted conflict. We have no interest in boots on the ground. The president has actually been one of the fiercest critics of 25 years of failed foreign policy in the Middle east, which is why he did what he did, a very precise, a very surgical strike tailored to an American national interest.

[Deepa Shivram]

And Vance said it would be, quote, a catastrophic mistake if Iran were to retaliate against the US in any way. Iran, though, has said it reserves all options in responding to the US And Iran's parliament also approved closing the Strait of Hormuz, which could impact oil prices. But that decision is not yet final.

[Michelle Martin]

And how has the news been playing out in Washington over the weekend? Most congressional leaders weren't even briefed on the attack until after it happened. How that how have they responded?

[Deepa Shivram]

Well, predictably, Democrats have been extremely critical of the strike. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, for example, said it was grounds for impeachment. And also predictably, most Republicans have stood behind the president. But there have been a few that have seen said that the White House's decision was unconstitutional because it's Congress that has the authority to approve the use of force, not the president. Though I will say it's been decades since Congress actually used that authority. So someone like GOP Representative Thomas Massie, he posted on social media about the constitutionality of Trump's decision. And then yesterday, Trump went after Massie in a lengthy social media post, saying he would campaign to unseat him and called him weak and ineffective. But I will say when it comes to public opinion, though, one poll before the US Strike on Iran showed that most Americans think the US Military shouldn't get involved in the conflict. In the aftermath of the attack, though, it's probably too soon to tell what public opinion will say. But one thing to keep in mind is that President Trump is someone who ran his campaign talking about how the US Wouldn't get involved in more foreign wars. Just yesterday, though, the president posted on social media raising the idea that there could be a regime change in Iran. And advocating for a regime change could potentially get the US More involved in a conflict that there might not be public support for.

[Michelle Martin]

Deepa, before we let you go, the president is supposed to leave tomorrow for the NATO summit in the Netherlands. How is Trump's decision going to come up among European allies? How do you think it's going to play out?

[Deepa Shivram]

Yeah. Well, there are some NATO allies who have spoken out about the threat of Iran's nuclear program already. So it's possible that Trump received some support from European allies about his decision to strike Iran. For example, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer posted on X and said that the US Took action to alleviate the threat of Iran's nuclear program. But I will say the main focus of the summit will be trying to get NATO members to spend more on their defense, which is something Trump has been really critical about for years.

[Michelle Martin]

That is NPR's Deepa Shivram. Deepa, thank you.

[Deepa Shivram]

Thank you.

[Michelle Martin]

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to reporters yesterday about Israel's war with Iran.

[Layla Falden]

He's saying there that Israel won't be dragged into a war of attrition, but that it also won't end the war until it's achieved its objectives to degrade Iran's missiles and nuclear program. In the meantime, both countries exchanged more fire this morning.

[Michelle Martin]

For the latest, we're joined by NPR's Hadil Al Shalchi from Tel Aviv. Hadil, good morning to you.

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

Good morning.

[Michelle Martin]

Yesterday you visited an attack site in Tel Aviv. What did you see there and what did you hear there?

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

That's right. So yesterday around 7am, Iran's first move after the US bombed its nuclear sites was to fire missiles towards Israel. I recorded this from outside my home. So that's a taste of what we hear in Tel Aviv almost every day. Some of those booms are missiles being intercepted. But yesterday, the affluent neighborhood of Ramat Aviv in northern Tel Aviv was hit. I visited the area. An entire residential high rise building was gutted. Shattered glass crunched under our feet, and people were trying to get back into their homes to collect their belongings. Talking to people here, there is overwhelming support for the war. People say that Iran has posed an existential threat to Israel with its nuclear program for decades and that Israel had to do something about it.

[Michelle Martin]

How does Israel assess the impact of what the US has done in Iran?

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

Well, Israel is saying that significant damage was done to the three nuclear sites that the US struck, but it says it's also still assessing that damage. The US said it wasn't sure where Iran's supply of uranium is. The stockpile is stored in small vessels that can fit into a number of cars and then moved around. The director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog, said he believes that the stockpile was moved. And then Israeli analysts here say the entire nuclear program has not been destroyed, that Iran likely has the uranium and centrifuges hidden somewhere and that they could develop maybe weapons in secret.

[Michelle Martin]

And what might Israel's next moves be?

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

Well, it largely depends on Iran and how it retaliates. But the Israeli military said it is continuing to strike Iranian military targets. It did that this morning. And then there's also a feeling here that Israel wants to find a way to wrap up this war with the help of the US and the US says it's time for talks and diplomacy. There is a fear in Israel that the two countries, Iran and Israel, will just fall into this routine of exchanging fire for a long time. A tit for tat that becomes a new reality.

[Michelle Martin]

Hadil, before we let you go, there was a steady drumbeat last week among Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, about regime change in Iran. Where is that conversation now?

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

Well, actually, reporters asked Netanyahu about that yesterday, and he said that the goals of this war were to remove Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile threats. That's all he said. Also, President Trump is calling for a deal with this Iranian government. And Vice President J.D. vance said last night that regime change is not the goal. And then, you know, looking way ahead, Israelis hope that wrapping things up with Iran will also create the impetus to end the older conflict in Gaza. Netanyahu told reporters he's waiting for a response from Hamas that he hoped the two sides could agree to a Two month ceasefire, Negotiate a permanent ceasefire and bring back the hostages.

[Michelle Martin]

That's NPR's Hadil Al Shalchi in Tel Aviv. Hadil, thank you.

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

You're welcome.

[Michelle Martin]

Okay, let's turn to Iran and what it may do in response. And for that we turn to NPR national security correspondent Greg Myhrey. Greg, good morning to you.

[Greg Myhrey]

Hi, Michelle.

[Michelle Martin]

So just let's start with what Iran is saying. It might do.

[Greg Myhrey]

You know, we haven't heard a lot from Iran's top leaders recently. Most of them have not been in public. But Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the elite military unit, released a video overnight with a spokesman saying the U.S. will face, quote, regrettable and unpredict predictable consequences. He went on to say, the US can start this war, but we'll be the ones who end it. The one figure we have heard a bit from is the foreign minister, Abbas Iragchi. We heard a bit of his tape a couple minutes ago. Now, he's in Russia today, but he spoke Sunday in Turkey. He said his country has the right to respond and, quote, reserves all options to defend its security.

[Michelle Martin]

What options might he be talking about?

[Greg Myhrey]

Yeah, Iran or one of its proxies could fire a missile or a drone at US troops in the region. There are around 40,000 US forces at multiple bases. They are on high alert and well aware that Iran has carried out these kind of attacks in the past. Iran could also try to disrupt oil shipping in the Gulf. As we heard, Iran's parliament on Sunday approved closing the Strait of Hormuz. About 20% of the world's oil goes through the strait every day. And the US Though, we should note, has moved a large naval presence into the region and it is very well positioned to respond. Iran could take its time and wait before attacking a softer civilian target in the Middle east or beyond. Iran has been linked to many terrorist attacks in the past, and Iran also has decent cyber forces and could try to carry out some sort of cyber attack.

[Michelle Martin]

Okay, so we're hearing that Iran may have a range of options. But we talked Hadil spoke earlier about this fear in Israel of a back and forth tit for tat. Wouldn't this risk this some kind of.

[Greg Myhrey]

A back and forth with the U.S. yes, absolutely. And this is why Iran is really in a very difficult position at this moment. You know, it's already fighting with Israel and it's been on the losing end of that confrontation for the past 10 or 11 days. So if Iran doesn't respond to the US strike, and the US just bombed its most important nuclear sites, then Iran will look very weak. But if it does respond, then it is likely to face an even larger hit from the US And President Trump has already threatened this. I spoke about this with Iran expert Vali Nasser, a professor at Johns Hopkins University.

[Pete Hegseth]

Iran would not be able to manage an escalation with the United States, which even if it retaliated, it will only invite greater and greater American military action.

[Michelle Martin]

Does Iran have non military options? For example, could it seek a ceasefire and peace negotiations?

[Greg Myhrey]

Yeah, Michel, that's theoretically possible. But Iran is in a position of real weakness right now, would have to make some major concessions. Trump says Iran should make peace immediately, but he's also called for unconditional surrender by Iran. So he seems to think Iran would have to give up a host of US And Israeli demands. Now Israel has the upper hand in the fighting and shows every sign of wanting to press ahead with that advantage while it has the military momentum. And Iran is really not expressing interest in talks right right now, saying that there will be no peace negotiations while Iran is under assault.

[Michelle Martin]

That is NPR's Greg Myy. Greg, thank you.

[Greg Myhrey]

Sure thing, Michelle.

[Michelle Martin]

And that's up first for Monday, June 23rd. I'm Michelle Martin.

[Layla Falden]

And I'm Layla Faldel. There's an easy way to stay connected to news and podcasts from the NPR network, the NPR app. Hear community coverage from your local station, stories from around the world, and podcast suggestions based on what you like. Download the NPR app in your App Store.

[Michelle Martin]

Today's episode of up first was edited by Krishnadev Kalimor, Alex Leff, Andrew Sussman, Janaya Williams and Alice Wolfley. It was produced by Ziad Buch, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacy Abbott, and our technical director is Carly Strange. We hope you'll join us again tomorrow.

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