Up First from NPR US-Iran Responses, Trump's Trip To China Amid Iran War, Congress To Do List
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May 11, 2026 
Eric McDaniel, NPR congressional reporter covering Congress’s push for multi-year immigration enforcement funding. Tamara Keith, NPR senior political correspondent tracking the president’s China trip amid the Iran war. Ayah Bertali, NPR international correspondent on-the-ground in Dubai on regional diplomacy. They discuss Iran’s responses, how the conflict will shape the Trump–Xi summit, and Congress’s plan to lock long-term immigration funding.
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Iran Insists On Reciprocal Terms
- Iran rejected U.S. demands as unreasonable and insisted on reciprocal steps, including lifting sanctions and unfrozen funds.
- Ayah Bertali notes Iran framed red lines like ending the Lebanese war and refuses to halt enrichment without reciprocity.
Iran Claims Leverage Through Hormuz Control
- Iranian leaders portray themselves as having leverage via control of the Strait of Hormuz and call Iran a global superpower.
- Ayah Bertali highlights Iran's defiant rhetoric after a U.S. naval blockade choked off oil exports.
Regional Mediation Is Intensifying
- Regional diplomacy is active with Pakistan and Qatar mediating while Gulf states suffer economically from the war.
- Ayah Bertali cites Qatar halting gas production and Qatar's leaders meeting U.S. and Iranian officials to bridge gaps.