US-Iran Talks, Texas ICE Shooting Trial, China AI Race

Summary

Up First from NPR: US-Iran Talks, Texas ICE Shooting Trial, China AI Race

Date: February 17, 2026
Hosts: Steve Inskeep, Leila Fadel
Notable Reporter Contributions: Jackie Northam, Penelope Rivera, Cheryl Corley

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Episode Overview

This episode focuses on three pressing news topics:

1. The resumption of US-Iran nuclear negotiations and related Middle East tensions.
2. The Texas trial for nine defendants involved in a protest-turned-shooting outside an ICE detention center, raising significant questions on domestic terrorism charges.
3. The death and legacy of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson.

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1. US-Iran Talks in Geneva

Main Discussion Points

• The US and Iran meet for nuclear negotiations in Geneva, marking their second direct engagement in weeks, with broader issues also on the table.
  • Key US aim: prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, seeking “zero enrichment.”
  • Iran insists on its right to enrich uranium for research and civilian uses.
  • Other contentious topics: Iran's ballistic missiles, proxy activities, and highly enriched uranium stockpile.
• US military posturing, including the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the region, underscores the stakes.
• The involvement of high-profile negotiators: Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (US) and Foreign Minister Abbas Arachi (Iran). President Trump claims indirect involvement.

Key Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s a good sign that both sides are still open to negotiations.”
  — Jackie Northam, International Affairs Correspondent (03:04)
• “The Islamic Republic needs sanctions relief. The country just saw massive protests … precipitated by collapsing currency and high inflation.”
  — Sanam Vakil, Chatham House, via Northam (04:18)
• “Trump recently said regime change in Iran would be, quote, 'the best that could happen.'”
  — Jackie Northam (04:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:27] — Introduction to US-Iran negotiations
• [03:04] — Jackie Northam outlines scope and stakes
• [04:18] — Sanam Vakil on Iran’s weak bargaining position
• [05:08] — Parallel US diplomatic efforts on Ukraine

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2. Texas ICE Shooting Trial

Main Discussion Points

• Nine people face federal trial in Texas tied to a July 4th shooting outside the Prairieland ICE Detention Center.
  • Protesters intended a “noise demonstration” with fireworks, but events escalated: graffiti, then shots fired from nearby woods, injuring a police officer.
  • 19 total charged, with charges including “providing material support to terrorists” (first use against a supposed Antifa cell); one person faces attempted murder of a federal officer.
• The Trump administration’s designation of Antifa as a “domestic terrorist organization” is unprecedented and controversial.
• The case tests the limits of federal authority to prosecute domestic terror—no specific federal statute currently exists.

Key Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I think we see the blueprint … the administration is going to great lengths to paint a picture of any far left perceived violence as being antifa oriented.”
  — Jason Blazakis, Center on Terrorism, Extremism and Counterterrorism (07:46)
• “This whole narrative that the government wants to spin about a preplanned ambush, that’s ridiculous. That’s a suicide mission, right? I have a family, I have friends…”
  — Megan Morris, defendant (08:31)
• “If the government succeeds in getting these individuals convicted, it could have nationwide implications for how alleged left wing movements are prosecuted.”
  — Penelope Rivera (09:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [05:49] — Setup of the Texas protest and shooting
• [07:10] — Unique federal charges explained
• [08:09] — Defendants’ perspective, Megan Morris speaks out

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3. The Death and Legacy of Jesse Jackson

Main Discussion Points

• Civil rights icon Reverend Jesse Jackson has died at 84 after battling a rare brain disorder, progressive supranuclear palsy.
• Lifelong activism from the 1960s lunch counter sit-ins to Shadowing Martin Luther King, leadership in SCLC, and founding Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition.
• Ran for president in 1984 and 1988, energizing millions and breaking barriers for African American candidates.
• Jackson’s “keep hope alive” message resonated from political conventions to communities nationwide.

Key Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He really crisscrossed the country pushing for a greater share of political and economic power for African Americans and the poor.”
  — Cheryl Corley, NPR Reporter (11:13)
• “Our time has come. All the way from the State House, to the courthouse, to the White House, our time has come.”
  — Jesse Jackson, 1988 campaign (12:14)
• “America will get better and better... Keep hope alive.”
  — Jesse Jackson (13:01)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [09:34] — Announcement of Jackson's death
• [10:15] — Cheryl Corley outlines Jackson’s life and activism
• [12:14] — Jackson’s campaign speech highlights
• [13:01] — Iconic "keep hope alive" line

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Notable Quotes Recap

• On US-Iran Talks:
  “It’s a good sign that both sides are still open to negotiations.” — Jackie Northam (03:04)

• On Domestic Terrorism Charges:
  “The administration is going to act as a contortionist to try to paint a picture of any far left perceived violence as being antifa oriented.” — Jason Blazakis (07:46)

• On Jesse Jackson’s Legacy:
  “He really crisscrossed the country pushing for a greater share of political and economic power for African Americans and the poor.” — Cheryl Corley (11:13)
  “Keep hope alive.” — Jesse Jackson (13:09)

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Summary Flow

This episode of Up First provides a crisp, multi-perspective update on three major national and international stories. The tense US-Iran negotiations highlight the persistence and complexity of nuclear diplomacy amid military posturing and internal Iranian turmoil. The Texas ICE protest trial reveals new legal frontiers in prosecuting domestic terrorism, raising serious questions about civil liberties and political labeling. The passing of Jesse Jackson invites reflection on decades of civil rights struggle and historic candidacies that shaped generations. Through expert reporting and direct soundbites, the episode brings listeners up to speed on the most pressing issues shaping the morning’s headlines.

Transcript

[A]

Ladies and gentlemen, with a call to action.

[B]

Layla Fadell, good morning. Up first, listeners. In a world that changes fast, staying informed really matters. Follow up first on your podcast app. So the day's top stories are waiting for you when you wake up.

[A]

The US And Iran negotiate in Geneva today over Iran's nuclear program and possibly much more.

[B]

The Trump administration keeps building up military assets in the region. What happens if talks fall apart?

[A]

I'm Steven Skee with Layla Fadel. And this is up first from NPR News. Nine people go to trial today over a non fatal shooting outside an ICE detention center in Texas. Defendants say a protest got out of control while prosecutors label it terrorism.

[C]

The administration is going to go to great lengths to paint a picture of any far left perceived violence as being antifa oriented.

[B]

And Reverend Jesse Jackson has died at 84. His significant legacy carried the message of the civil rights movement from the streets to the national political stage. Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day.

[D]

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[B]

And Iran are due to negotiate in Geneva today.

[A]

It's the second time in as many weeks the two sides will be discussing limits on Iran's nuclear program. The US Is said to want concessions from Iran well beyond nuclear issues. And its ally Israel wants a lot more. Americans have paired the talks with a threat positioning military force in the region.

[B]

NPR's international affairs correspondent Jackie Northam is following these developments and she joins me now. Good morning.

[C]

Morning, Layla.

[B]

So Jackie, this is another round of talks today between the US And Iran. Can we expect any sort of breakthrough?

[C]

Well, it's a good sign that both sides are still open to negotiations. As with the last round of indirect talks in Oman, it will be US Special envoy Steve Witkoff and the President's son in law, Jared Kushner, meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Arachi. Although President Trump said Monday that he would be involved in the talks indirectly, both the US And Iran are still firm in their demands. President Trump doesn't want Iran to possess nuclear weapons and so wants zero enrichment. But Iran insists it has the right to enrich uranium for research and civilian uses. There are other important issues to address, such as Iran's ballistic missile arsenal, its use of proxies in the region, and a stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

[B]

Okay, so it sounds as though both sides are dug in on key issues. Is there any sense of compromise?

[C]

Well, Iran has indicated it could be open to curbing, not eliminating, its nuclear program, and it brought a large technical team with it to Geneva as a gesture that it's serious. I spoke with Sanam Vakil, and she's an Iran specialist at Chatham House, which is a London based think tank. And she says Iran is in a weaker bargaining position than the US because it's in dire economic straits. Here she is.

[B]

The Islamic Republic needs sanctions relief. The country just saw massive protests spread across Iran, really precipitated by collapsing currency and high inflation.

[C]

But you know, Leila, thousands of Iranians were killed by security forces during those protests, according to human rights groups. So any concessions by the US could be seen as rewarding the authoritarian regime. And in fact, Trump recently said regime change in Iran would be, quote, the best that could happen. And this, of course, as a second aircraft carrier heads towards the region.

[B]

Yeah. So Trump continuing to signal that military intervention is possible. And Iran is not the only thing Wyckoff and Kushner are dealing with. Right. They're also holding discussions on the war in Ukraine, just as we are about to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's full scale invasion. What's going on with those negotiations?

[C]

Well, you're right. Wyckoff and Kushner are addressing these two major crises on the very same day. And there are even lower expectations of a breakthrough with the Ukraine talks and the Iran ones. This is only recently Ukraine and Russia have done face to face meetings. And that could indicate some pressure by Trump. You recall during his presidential campaign, he said he'd stop the war in one day. Now he says he wants a deal by June. But there is no real end to the war in the site and it's set to enter its fifth year next week.

[B]

That's NPR's Jackie Northam. Thank you, Jackie.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

Nine people are set to go on trial today in a federal court in Fort Worth, Texas. They're standing trial in connection to a non fatal shooting outside an ICE detention facility last July 4th.

[A]

On that date, about a dozen people protested outside the Prairieland Detention center, which is in Alvarado, Texas. They objected to President Trump's immigration crackdown and deportation efforts. Police and prosecutors say shots were fired and a local police officer was injured.

[B]

Penelope Rivera with member station K E R A in Dallas joins me to talk more about how the federal government is prosecuting this case. Good morning.

[E]

Good morning.

[B]

So tell us more about the shooting, what happened?

[E]

So the people that gathered there that night said that it was meant to be a noise demonstration with fireworks to show solidarity with those inside the facility. According to the affidavit, 11 people showed up around 10:30pm and some people started setting off fireworks while others graffitied cars in the parking lot. Then 20 minutes later, when a local police officer arrived, someone from a nearby woods began shooting. Those 11 protesters were arrested for being there that night, but there's now 19 people total charged for having an alleged connection to the incident. But different defendants face different charges.

[B]

Okay, so people at protest get arrested often, but this is different. What's unusual about the charges the federal government is bringing in this case?

[E]

So what's unique about it in this case is the type of charges that the federal government has filed. Eight people are facing providing material to support terrorist charges. One of the nine is accused of attempted murder, a federal officer. The U.S. attorney's office called the indictment against the nine defendants in the first in the country against a group of violent antifa cell members. Jason Blazakis, executive director of the center on Terrorism, Extremism and Counterterrorism, said there's no doubt that something bad happened the night of July 4th. But he says it's a stretch to connect this case to prosecute protesters as members of antifa.

[C]

I think we see the blueprint with the charges from July 4 that the administration is going to go to great lengths really act as a contortionist to try to paint a picture of any far left perceive violence as being antifa oriented.

[E]

Last September, the Trump administration declared ANTIFA a domestic terrorist organization and it's the first of its kind in history.

[B]

What are the defendants saying about the charges?

[E]

Well, Prosecutors called the shooting an ambush and a coordinated attack against law enforcement. And I've communicated with six of the individuals and arrested in connection to the protest. That includes Megan Morris. She told me that she attended to show support for those detained at the Prairieland Detention center and had no indication that anything violent was meant to occur that night.

[B]

This whole narrative that the government wants to spin about a preplanned ambush, that's ridiculous. That's a suicide mission, right? I have a family, I have friends.

[C]

I have all these things that I.

[A]

Would not give up just to roll.

[B]

Up and commit some senseless act of violence against a random police officer.

[E]

She pled not guilty and maintains her innocence.

[B]

So what could the repercussions of this case be?

[E]

So there's no federal criminal statute to charge people for domestic terrorism like there is for foreign terrorism. And it's still unclear whether the president has the authority to designate people or groups as domestic terrorists. According to former federal prosecutors I've talked to, if the government succeeds in getting these individuals convicted, it could have nationwide implications for how alleged left wing movements are prosecuted.

[B]

That was Penelope Rivera from K E R A in Texas. Thank you, Penelope.

[E]

Thank you.

[A]

We're following the news of the death of Jesse Jackson. The Reverend Jesse Lewis Jackson of Chicago. A family statement says he died at age 84, surrounded by family, some years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. NPR's Cheryl Corley covered him and is on the line. Cheryl, good morning.

[F]

Good morning, Steve.

[A]

Remarkable life stretches across a good part of the 20th century and a bit of the 21st. Can you work us through some of the details?

[F]

Yeah. First, I'm going to say that although he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he was. Later it was confirmed that he had this rare brain disorder called progressive supranuclear palsy.

[A]

Got it.

[F]

Which affects the ability to move and to speak. But even so, Jesse Jackson really just continued throughout his life to protest against racial injustice, even appearing at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. It was held a couple of years ago. And so just continued his activism. You know, he began that activism early on in his life when he was actually in college. Went to college at North Carolina A and T and became a leader in the lunch counter sit ins that were protesting whites only policies at restaurants at the time. And he'd go on to join Martin Luther King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference, or sclc.

[A]

And was present for the assassination of Martin Luther King.

[F]

Yeah, he was present for that. And he actually split with SCLC after King's death. And founded the organization that he's known for, Operation push, which later merged with his national Rainbow Coalition became Rainbow Push. And so he really crisscrossed the country pushing for a greater share of political and economic power for African Americans and the poor. And he also did a lot of work around the globe, spotlighting a kind of plethora of domestic and international problems.

[A]

What was it like when he ran for president in 1984 and 88?

[F]

You know, I wasn't there for 84, but that was such a map for what was to come. Later in 1988, when he ran for president, you know, there were all these people pushing, saying, run, Jesse, run, and all of that. You know, it began with voter registration drives, which were on the PUSH agenda. And in 1983, he had launched this national voter registration drive and with those crowds chanting Run, Jesse, run, urging him to run for president. And that November he actually told supporters that he would seek the Democratic nomination.

[B]

Our time has come.

[F]

All the way from the State House to the courthouse to the White House, our time has come.

[A]

Give us a couple of thoughts of what it was like to cover him in 1988.

[F]

Cheryl oh, man, it was amazing. I mean, he was so charismatic and he drew so many people to him. He won more than 7 million votes during that run and became the first African American candidate to win major primaries. And his convention speech just electrified Democrats who were waving their red white flags and their red, white Jesse signs as well.

[A]

Actually, let's listen to that clip as we go out more. Jesse Jackson here.

[F]

America will get better and better, demobilized.

[C]

Keep hope alive.

[B]

Keep hope alive.

[A]

Jesse Jackson, Cheryl Corley, thank you so much.

[F]

You're welcome.

[B]

And that's up first for Tuesday, February 17th. I'm Laila Falden.

[A]

And I'm Steve Inskeep. Whether you are into skis or snowboards or sleds or skates, which I'm not since that fall, Up First Winter Games has got you covered. It's a new video podcast from Nature NPR. You find it every [e-mail] NPR. It's hosted by A. Martinez.

[B]

Who's that?

[A]

I don't know.

[B]

Today's episode of up first was edited by James Heider, Alfredo Carbajal, Kara Platoni, Mohamed Albardisi and Alice Wolfley. It was produced by Ziad Buch and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Nisha Highness. And our technical director is Simon Lasslow Jansen. Our supervising senior producer is Vince Pearson. Join us again tomorrow.

[D]

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