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Today’s top stories
The U.S. has taken action to safeguard diplomats in the Middle East and shut down several embassies as the conflict with Iran enters its fourth day. The U.S. government is urging citizens to leave more than a dozen countries. Although some flights out of the region have resumed, many travelers are still stranded at airports. Israeli military strikes have targeted Tehran in Iran and Beirut in Lebanon. In response, Iranian drones attacked the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia. Tragically, six U.S. service members have lost their lives in the conflict. President Trump has stated that the administration anticipates the conflict lasting “four to five weeks, with the ability to continue for an extended period.” The Iranian Red Crescent Society reports that over 550 Iranians have been killed since the joint U.S.-Israeli military operation began on Saturday.
People sift through debris of shops and residences destroyed by an airstrike on March 2 in Tehran, Iran. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was confirmed killed after the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran on Feb. 28. Iran retaliated by firing waves of missiles and drones at Israel, and targeting U.S. allies in the region.
Majid Saeedi/Getty Images
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Majid Saeedi/Getty Images
- 🎧 Today, the Israeli military announced its readiness for an extended conflict. An official in the region, speaking anonymously, informed NPR’s Daniel Estrin that Israel believes its objectives can be achieved within two weeks. However, conflicting reports exist regarding these goals. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that regime change is the primary aim, U.S. officials have backtracked on the notion that the conflict is about regime change.
- 🎧 Trump administration officials briefed congressional leaders yesterday on the ongoing conflict. Congress is scheduled to vote this week on measures to limit the president’s authority to engage further in Iran without congressional consent. Despite widespread public disapproval of the war, lawmakers are expected to vote along party lines. Some Republicans are planning to restrict the president’s actions, while certain Democrats are concerned that the resolution may limit the flexibility needed to respond to immediate threats.
- ➡️ The current conflict between the U.S. and Iran is just one chapter in a long history of political and military clashes between the two nations since 1953.
- ➡️ The rationale behind the war as presented by the Trump administration is challenging the core beliefs of the president’s “Make America Great Again” supporters regarding the true meaning of “America First.”
Today marks the final day for voters to participate in the North Carolina and Texas primary elections. The results will influence the balance of power in Congress and offer insights into the electorate’s preferences for the latter part of President Trump’s second term. Both states are hosting competitive Senate primaries that provide a glimpse into each party’s future direction. Here’s what you need to know.
- 🎧 Due to recent redistricting in both states, there are fewer contested House races than usual. The Senate contests are where the real action is, according to NPR’s Ashley Lopez.
- ➡️ Stay updated on the live primary election results for North Carolina, Texas, and Arkansas.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is scheduled to testify before the Senate today. The Department of Homeland Security has been non-operational for nearly a month following a funding impasse and disagreements over immigration enforcement procedures. Noem is expected to address the adverse impact of the funding halt on Americans, particularly the challenges faced by Transportation Security Administration personnel working without pay, resulting in disruptions to air travel.
House Republicans have released footage from the depositions of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton related to the Epstein files. Following threats of contempt charges by the committee, both Clintons provided lengthy closed-door testimonies last week. Despite their requests for public hearings, the interrogations revealed that neither individual had prior knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities before his 2008 guilty plea in Florida for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
