Up First from NPR Middle East War Intensifies, Trump's Rational For War, First Midterm Primaries
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Mar 4, 2026 
Deepa Shivaram, NPR White House correspondent who explains shifting White House messaging. Carrie Kahn, NPR foreign correspondent reporting from Tel Aviv with on-the-ground updates. They discuss U.S. and Israeli strikes across Iran and Lebanon. They cover Iran’s mourning and succession, Gulf spillover attacks and threats to shipping. They also touch on shifting political messaging in Washington and early primary results.
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Widespread Strikes Hit Iranian Symbols And Forces
- Israel and the U.S. have carried out strikes across Iran targeting regime symbols and the state paramilitary force, with Iran reporting heavy civilian casualties including an elementary school hit.
- Carrie Kahn details strikes in Tehran and western Kurdish areas, the Pentagon saying Iran's navy was obliterated and Iranian death tolls near 800 in some regions.
Succession Process Begins After Supreme Leader Killing
- Iran declared three days of mourning and began assembling bodies and institutions to pick a new supreme leader after the killing of Ali Khamenei.
- Israel struck a site linked to the succession assembly and Israel's defense minister said any new leader who threatens Israel would be targeted.
War Expands Into Gulf Disrupting Shipping And Diplomacy
- The conflict is spreading across the Gulf with Iranian drones and missiles striking U.S. interests and the Strait of Hormuz mostly closed to shipping.
- Carrie Kahn notes U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia and a Dubai consulate were hit and Gulf states so far have not directly retaliated.