U.S.-Iran Talks Continue, Texas Politics, 2026 Winter Olympics Begin

Summary

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Up First from NPR – Episode Summary

Episode: U.S.-Iran Talks Continue, Texas Politics, 2026 Winter Olympics Begin
Date: February 7, 2026
Hosts: Scott Simon & Ayesha Rascoe
Podcast: Up First (NPR)

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Overview

This episode of NPR's Up First provides a sharp, fast-paced roundup of the three big stories shaping the weekend:

• New preliminary talks between the U.S. and Iran aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Middle East.
• The intensifying Texas political landscape leading up to primary elections, with a focus on immigration enforcement and Latino voter sentiment.
• The festive kickoff of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, and a preview of the sporting weekend, including the Super Bowl.

The episode features insightful reporting and interviews, practical analysis, and moments of lightness around sports and food.

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1. U.S.-Iran Talks: A New Diplomatic Overture

[01:52–05:28]

Key Points & Developments:

• Indirect U.S.-Iran Talks in Muscat, Oman:
  • The U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (President Trump's son-in-law) met with Iran’s Foreign Minister via Omani intermediaries.
  • Significance: The mere fact meetings occurred is seen as a critical cooling of regional hostilities, following escalated threats and military posturing by both nations.
• Pressures and Tactics:
  • The U.S. has threatened military strikes, while Iran has warned such actions could ignite a wider regional war.
  • The U.S. is also leveraging economic pressure:
    • Treasury Secretary Scott Besant testified that the U.S. engineered a financial crisis and dollar shortage in Iran, resulting in widespread protests and economic instability.
    • Recent U.S. sanctions target companies and individuals illegally trading Iranian oil, with warnings of tariffs on countries trading with Iran.
• Regional & International Reactions:
  • Iran's Foreign Minister said both countries want another round of talks, stating Iran is "ready for both peace and war" ([03:08]).
  • President Trump declared, “Iran looks like it wants to make a deal very badly. We have to see what that deal is.” ([02:48])
  • Regionally, the idea of regime change remains divisive.

Notable Quotes:

• President Trump on Air Force One:
  • “We likewise had very good talks on Iran. Iran looks like it wants to make a deal very badly. We have to see what that deal is.” ([02:48])
• Jane Araf, NPR:
  • "That financial crisis left many Iranians unable to afford food and those protests morphed into anti-regime death demonstrations. At least 5,000 people...were believed to have been killed." ([04:12])
  • "Israel is very keen. Other countries are terrified of the consequences [of regime change]." ([04:50])

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2. Texas Politics & the Immigration Debate

[05:38–09:58]

Key Points & Developments:

• Texas Primary Elections Approaching:

  • Governor Greg Abbott and Senator John Cornyn (facing hotly contested primaries) seek reelection.
  • Senate race features incumbent Cornyn against seven Republican and three Democratic challengers, including prominent Dems Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico.

• Shifting Immigration Enforcement Messaging:

  • GOP leadership, including Abbott and Cornyn, call for "recalibration"—more respect for ICE and continued deportations without citizen interference, urging peace during enforcement.
  • Democrats vow to abolish ICE if elected.

• Texan & Latino Voter Sentiment:

  • Widespread youth and community protests erupt across Texas in opposition to ICE's measures.
  • Latino voters, many of whom supported Trump in 2024 due to economic promises, now feel betrayed due to aggressive, broad-reaching deportations.
  • Quote from Latino Voter, Gloria Leal:
    • “The recent issues with ICE enforcement and immigration laws throughout the country have, I believe, persuaded Latinos that Trump has gone too far in his immigration enforcement efforts.” ([08:11])

• Democratic Prospects:

  • Despite Texas’ deep red history, increased energy among Democratic voters—especially Latinos frustrated by current policies—offers hope, though the uphill battle remains.

Notable Quotes:

• Blaze Gainey, Texas Newsroom:
  • “People are extremely upset and want to let it be known. And this is not fully a partisan issue…” ([07:21])
• Gabriel Rosales, Texas League of United Latin American Citizens:
  • "She's just got a very powerful mannerisms about her. She's no hold bars and she gets in their face. I think we need people like that that are going to fight, right?" ([09:23])

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3. Winter Olympics Kick Off & Sports Weekend

[10:07–15:06]

Key Points & Developments:

• Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Milan:

  • The Games open with artistic flair.
  • Norway favored for medal dominance.
  • NHL players return to Olympic hockey for the first time in over a decade.
  • Notable absences: Russian and Belarusian athletes, due to sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine.
  • Inspiring stories, including skier Lindsey Vonn's return post–knee injury.

• Super Bowl Preview:

  • Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots.
  • Patriots, with young QB Drake May and resurgent Sam Darnold, seen as underdogs against the favored Seahawks.
  • Game noted for its historical rematch and potential for surprise.

• Sports & Society:

  • Moments of reflection on covering the Olympics and sports against the backdrop of a tense world.

Notable Quotes:

• Howard Bryant, Sportswriter:
  • “One of the beauties of the Olympics is once you get started, the individual stories and the individual achievements, this is not hundred million dollar athletes...Usually it's individual small stories.” ([11:35])
  • On Lindsey Vonn: “Not just 41, who isn’t just competing with a partially replaced knee, but also with no ACL. She ruptured her ACL in a crash...and so that individual story is great.” ([12:52])
  • On the Super Bowl: “It all feels a little bland to me simply because it’s hard to love sports when the world feels like it’s on fire. But those two fan bases are going to be into this…” ([13:39])

Memorable Moments:

• Hosts on Olympic/Super Bowl snacks:
  • “How about risotto sliders or chicken parm tenders?... Maybe seven layer tiramisu dip.” ([10:15])
  • “Leave the cookies, take the cannoli.” ([10:24])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.S.-Iran Talks Overview & Analysis – [01:52–05:28]
• Texas Politics & Latino Voter Sentiment – [05:38–09:58]
• Olympics Kickoff, Hockey’s Return, Super Bowl Preview – [10:07–15:06]

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Conclusion

This Up First episode delivers incisive coverage of world events, domestic politics, and sports, blending urgency, context, and human interest. The Iran talks hint at new diplomatic possibilities even as tensions and pressure tactics press on. In Texas, immigration remains a deeply polarizing issue, with consequences for national politics and shifting voter loyalties. Meanwhile, the Winter Olympics return as a beacon of international unity—and spirited competition—matched in American life only by the Super Bowl’s pageant and rivalry.

Listeners get not just the facts, but also voices directly shaping these stories, offering a balanced, lively start to the weekend.

Transcript

[A]

Let the Games begin. The 2026 Winter Olympics officially kicked off in Milan yesterday.

[B]

We also have the super bowl this weekend.

[A]

Ah, an embarrassment of sports riches. I'm Scott Simon.

[B]

And I'm Ayesha Roscoe. And this is up first from NPR News.

[A]

It's a midterm year. How are voters responding to President Trump's sweeping federal immigration campaign?

[B]

The recent issues have persuaded Latinos that.

[C]

Trump has gone too far.

[B]

We take a look at Texas and its U.S. senate race.

[A]

And the U.S. and Iran met for six hours yesterday.

[B]

President Trump called the talks very good.

[A]

So please stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your weekend.

[B]

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The digital God, I got dopamine from every prompt.

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Artificial intelligence, human consequences. This week on Consider this. Listen on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[D]

It is hard to get a house. Getting that down payment together, brutal. You shipped off to Djibouti to afford.

[A]

A down payment for a house?

[C]

Yes, sir, 100% on Planet Money.

[D]

The high price of housing, what the Trump administration is trying to do about.

[A]

It, and will it work?

[D]

Listen on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[A]

The U.S. and Iran held preliminary talks on Friday with the aim of avoiding war.

[B]

Iran wants the talks to focus on its nuclear program. The U.S. wants much more.

[A]

NPR's Jane Araf has been following this story and joins us from Amman. Jane, thanks for being with us.

[E]

Thank you.

[A]

What do we know about what happened at the talks?

[E]

So this was an indirect meeting in Oman in the capital Muscat. There was the US Envoy, Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son in law, Jared Kushner. They were communicating with Iran's foreign minister through Omani officials. Iran described the talks as lengthy and intensive. But really the most important thing is that they met at all because it's really given breathing room to regional tension. Trump had threatened military strikes. Iran had said if that happened, it could spark regional war. Here's President Trump speaking to reporters on Air Force One last night.

[A]

We likewise had very good talks on Iran. Iran looks like it wants to make a deal very badly. We have to see what that deal is.

[E]

He noted there are U.S. warships in the region and said the U.S. was in no rush regarding a deal. So that too has diffused some of the considerable tension.

[A]

And how has Iran responded?

[E]

Well, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Iraq ji said following the six hour meeting that both sides wanted another round. He told Al Jazeera television today that there was no date set yet, but he thinks it should be soon. And asked about the prospect of war, he said Iran was ready for both peace and war.

[A]

The threat of military attack is not the only strategy the US Is using.

[E]

Is it totally true? Obviously, that military threat is the biggest one. But this week, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant told a Senate committee that the US had engineered the latest financial crisis in Iran, which sparked widespread protests. He says they did it by creating a dollar shortage in the country.

[A]

It came to a swift and I.

[D]

Would say grand culmination in December when one of the largest banks in Iran went under. The Iranian currency went into free fall, inflation exploded, and hence we have seen the Iranian people out on the street.

[E]

So that financial crisis left many Iranians unable to afford food and those protests morphed into anti regime death demonstrations. At least 5,000 people, most of them demonstrators, were believed to have been killed. And Scott, On Friday, the U.S. levied new sanctions it says are aimed at supporting anti government protesters. Those sanctions are against companies and people it says are illegally trading Iranian oil. And the White House has threatened additional tariffs against any country trading with Iran.

[A]

Jane, President Trump has been clear he wants to see regime change in Iran. Is that a popular idea in the region?

[E]

Near as you can tell, it is very divided. Israel is very keen. Other countries are terrified of the consequences. I mean, let's face it, Iran is a powerful, oil rich, very complex country. And what they worry about is the chaos that would result if there were an unplanned change of regime. As for these talks, Iran is insisting they focus on its nuclear program. It says that program is for peaceful purposes. Now, the US Bombed Iran in December and insisted insists it was developing nuclear weapons. But the UN Nuclear watchdog says there's no evidence Iran was building a bomb.

[A]

NPR's Jay Niraf, thanks so much.

[E]

Thank you.

[B]

Texas is gearing up for its primary elections next month. Governor Greg Abbott is seeking reelection this year, as is Senator John Cornyn.

[A]

And Cornyn will face seven Republican candidates in the primaries, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. At least three Democrats are also vying for the seat.

[B]

As that U.S. senate race heats up, so does the debate over what immigration enforcement should look like. Blaze Gainey of the Texas Newsroom joins me now.

[E]

Welcome.

[C]

Good morning. Glad to be here.

[B]

So what are you seeing in Texas when it comes to political messaging on immigration enforcement?

[C]

Yeah, well, like most political messaging, parties tend to rely and repeat what they are hearing from the top. For instance here, Governor Greg Abbott has recently called for the Trump administration to recalibrate things when it comes to enforcement. And what he means by that is the White House needs to make sure respect for ICE is reinstilled and for them to recalibrate to make sure they can continue deportation efforts without intervention from citizens. The wording on that is really important because he didn't condemn their actions. Rather, he said they essentially need people to give them. This was carried into the race for Texas U.S. senate seat by incumbent Senator John Cornyn, who said he thinks it's a good idea to de escalate, but then went on to say that American citizens should not continue to cross the line from peacefully protesting to interfering with law enforcement activity. So they haven't necessarily shifted their message, but more so made an adjustment to call for peace while deportation efforts continue. On the Democratic side of the Senate race, both Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and State Representative James Talarico have said they would abolish ICE if given the chance.

[B]

And how are Texans responding to this adjustment?

[C]

Yeah, just last week, high school students across the state participated in a walkout over ICE's enforcement efforts. And there were also protests at the Capitol Building in Austin and other areas across the state. People are extremely upset and want to let it be known. And this is not fully a partisan issue, as we should remember. In 2024, Trump and the Republican Party as a whole got a lot of support from the Latino community for the promises they made on fixing the economy. Latinos say they haven't seen that and instead feel tricked by the fact deportation efforts haven't been solely centered on finding and removing hardened criminals.

[B]

So how are Latino voters responding to what they're seeing on immigration enforcement right now?

[C]

Yeah, I will say Latino voters are furious with the way immigration enforcement efforts have played out, not only in Minneapolis, but around the country. I just spoke with Gloria Leal, who lives in Austin, Texas.

[B]

The recent issues with ICE enforcement and immigration laws throughout the country have, I believe, persuaded Latinos that Trump has gone.

[E]

Too far in his immigration enforcement efforts.

[C]

So as you can hear, it's having an impact. And as you see, they aren't forgetting the events that have taken place concerning ICE and Border Patrol over the past few years. And from everything I'm hearing, it doesn't seem like the Republican Party will have anything close to the support they had from Latinos last time around.

[B]

Well, if Latinos aren't likely to vote for Republicans in large numbers, does a Democrat really have a chance against the Republican nominee in the Senate race? And which Democratic candidate is better positioned to pick up those voters?

[C]

Listen, if I had a crystal ball, I promise I'd tell you exactly who. But it's up in the air right now. Both Democratic candidates, State Representative James Talarico and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, have very similar wants and priorities if elected. For voters, what is separating them from one another is their demeanor. I spoke with Gabriel Rosales, the Texas League of United Latin American Citizens director. He explained why he's back in Crockett.

[A]

She's just got a very powerful mannerisms about her. She's no hold bars and she gets in their face. I think we need people like that that are going to fight, right?

[B]

They're going to fight for you.

[C]

They're going to fight.

[A]

They're not going to look at color or race or gender.

[C]

And as a reminder, Texas is still a red state and no Democrat has won a statewide seat in three decades. So it'll be an uphill battle for the party. But they believe right now the energy and engagement is at a higher level than in the past, which is giving them hope that they can break the Republican streak.

[B]

That's Blaze Gainey of the Texas Newsroom. Thank you so much for joining us.

[C]

Yeah, thanks for having. Me.

[A]

Sports fans have a real culinary challenge this weekend. What snacks go with both the Milan Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl?

[B]

How about risotto sliders or chicken parm tenders? That sounds good. Maybe seven layer tiramisu dip.

[A]

Ah, leave the cookies, take the cannoli. Sports writer Howard Bryant joins us now to talk more about food. I mean, all the fine sporting events we're watching this weekend. Howard, thanks for being with us.

[D]

Good morning, Scott. How are you?

[A]

Fine, thank you. Winter Olympics opening ceremony took place yesterday. Norway, that Winter Olympics juggernaut is favored again in overall medals. But I don't know, it's nice to see the world come together again on this, isn't it?

[D]

Yeah. I love the Olympics and I did love the extremely artistic and very fashionable opening ceremonies. It's what the Olympics is all about. And I had the pleasure and the good fortune of covering the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. And it's just such a great event where you do see the world coming together and you do see all of these different sports that you don't See, except for every four years, especially in the United States, nobody's talking about luge, bobsled or skeleton unless it's an Olympic year. And it's great because of that sort of international flavor. And I also feel that journalistically it feels very sad in a lot of ways because one of the great fun parts about the Olympics is covering is joining a lot of these international journalists and where the state of journalism is with the news at the Washington Post here, it all feels a little bit gloomy or a lot gloomy. But one of the beauties of the Olympics is once you get started, the individual stories and the individual achievements, this is not hundred million dollar athletes doing their thing in large cases. Usually it's individual small stories. People doing things that they love. And the stories have always been really inspiring.

[A]

Lindsey Vonn coming out of retirement, going to compete despite tearing her acl. NHL chill players have been away from the Olympics for more than a decade. They're back. What are you looking forward to?

[D]

Well, I think what I always look forward to is that, you know, there are certain spaces that are going to dominate if you happen to be there. You know that when you get to the speed skating rink, you know, the Dutch are going to, are going to be there. They always show up. That's fun. You know, the Swiss and the Italians are up on the ski mountain. They're going to represent. And of course, from the United States standpoint, you've got Mikaela Shiffrin. Unbelievable. Probably the greatest female skier of all time, if not the greatest skier of all time. And then of course there's Lindsey Vaughn, who is not just 41, who isn't just competing with a partially replaced knee, but also with no acl. She ruptured her ACL in a crash of, you know, a couple of weeks ago. And so that individual story is great. And yeah, it's wonderful to see the NHL players playing again, even though that does take away a little bit from the amateurish side of it. But who doesn't want to see Connor McDavid and the great NHL players on the world stage? I'll tell you who we're not going to see, however, is we're not going to see Russia in any large number because of the invasion of Ukraine. So Belarusian and Russian athletes not going to be seeing them, especially out on the rink.

[A]

Super Bowl Sunday tomorrow, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots. What do you foresee?

[D]

The thing that we always get? You're going to get $7 million ads for your super bowl commercials. You're going to try to get a lot of pageantry here, but it all feels a little bland to me simply because it's hard to love sports when the world feels like it's on fire. But those two fan bases are going to be into this Seattle, the Patriots, of course, they are linked because of the last time they met in the.

[A]

Super oh, yeah, there's a history there.

[D]

There's a history there with, that's right, a pass and Malcolm Butler intercepts the game winning throw by Russell Wilson. All that's under the bridge. The Patriots are underdogs here. I think Seattle is very much considered to be the better team, but not by that much. But the Patriots have been underestimated all year. You've got a young quarterback, Drake May in his second year now in the Super Bowl. And you've got another quarterback, Sam Darnold, who used to play for the jets and the Vikings and everybody sort of underestimated and called him a bust. And here he is in the super bowl, one game away from being a world champion. And so this is a game where you're dealing with one team that is rising. The Seahawks have been considered the best team in the league for weeks. In another team, the Patriots, that are still there and everyone keeps saying, how are they still here? And oh, prediction. Come on. Scott Simon, I don't know. That's why they play the games. Don't put me on the spot. Somebody's gonna win. How about that?

[A]

Oh, perfect. I'll bet on that. Howard Bryant, thanks for being with us.

[D]

Oh, my pleasure. Thank you, Scott.

[A]

And for more Olympics coverage, you can check out Up First, Winter Games, a new video podcast from NPR. Find new [e-mail] NPR. And that's up first for Saturday, February 7th, 2026. I'm Scott Simon.

[B]

And I'm Aisha Roscoe.

[A]

Andy Craig produced today's podcast along with Gabe o', Connor, Dave Misch and Martin Patience.

[B]

Our editor is Samantha Balaban. She had help from Hadil Al Shauchi, Jacob Finston, Miguel Macias, Fernando Naro, Dee Parvaz and Megan Pratt. Michael Radcliffe is our director.

[A]

Our technical director is Simon Laszlo Jansen, who with a name like that really should be a downhill skier. With engineering support from Zoe Vankenhoven, Valentina Rodriguez Sanchez and Damien Harry.

[B]

Our senior supervising editor is Shannon Rhodes. Evie Stone is our executive producer. And Jim Cain is our deputy managing editor.

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Tomorrow on the Sunday story, President Donald Trump was in a tight spot financially before his first term in office. Now not so much.

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Our friends at NPR's Planet Money and New Yorker writer David Kirkpatrick, help us understand how President Trump and his family have found ways to profit from the presidency.

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Plus, all the latest news, books, movies, music, sports and so much more. You can just tune into NPR. Find your local station at stations.NPR.org and thank you for listening.

[B]

I know you gotta find out about those chicken parm tenders.

[A]

Chicken parm tenders?

[B]

We have more.

[A]

We may have hit on something there.

[B]

Yes, that sounds fun.

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