Iran War Expanding, Khamenei Successor, China Mediates Middle East War
Up First from NPR
NPR
4.6 • 59K Ratings
🗓️ 5 March 2026
⏱️ 14 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
President Trump is offering shifting explanations for why the U.S. struck Iran, as the White House tries to line up its message and Americans remain wary about what the war is meant to achieve.
And China says it will send a special envoy to the Middle East as Beijing’s annual “Two Sessions” get underway, with leaders warning the world is getting more volatile even as growth slows at home.
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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Hannah Bloch, Miguel Macias, James Hider, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Ben Abrams.
Our director is Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
And our Deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.
(0:00) Introduction
(02:10) Iran War Expanding
(06:13) Khamenei Successor
(09:49) China Mediates Middle East War
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Support for NPR comes from NPR member stations and Eric and Wendy Schmidt through the Schmidt Family Foundation, working toward a healthy, resilient, secure world for all. On the web at theshmit.org. |
| 0:14.5 | Good morning. Is Up First part of your routine? In a recent review, user Darbonza said up first is the perfect length for morning coffee. |
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| 0:26.8 | It helps the algorithms show up first to more people looking to stay informed. |
| 0:31.0 | And thank you. |
| 0:34.1 | Some Iranians are fleeing the war on their country. |
| 0:37.0 | Our correspondent is meeting them as they reach Turkey. |
| 0:39.7 | We'll hear what people are seeing and where they're going to escape the war that's spreading across the region. |
| 0:44.3 | I'm Steve Inskeep with Michelle Martin, and this is up first from NPR News. |
| 0:52.9 | Iran postponed the morning ceremony for its supreme leader as attacks continue on the capital Tehran. |
| 0:58.8 | Clerics are choosing who will lead Iran in the middle of a war, and many eyes are on the former leader's son. |
| 1:04.7 | And China says it's sending a special envoy to the Middle East as Beijing opens its two sessions meeting where leaders set priorities for the |
| 1:11.3 | year. Is China trying to position itself as a mediator or protecting its oil interests? Staying with us. |
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| 1:35.3 | Be smart, get Wise. Download the Wise app today or visit Wise.com. T's and Cs apply. |
| 1:42.3 | Israel and the U.S. are continuing to hit Iran on the sixth day of the war. |
| 1:46.5 | Iran says the United States will, quote, bitterly regret torpedoing one of its warships |
| 1:51.0 | yesterday in the Indian Ocean in an attack that killed at least 87 people. |
| 1:55.2 | Here's a few updates overnight. Israel has tracked multiple incoming missile attacks. |
| 2:00.1 | Air sirens blared overnight and into this morning in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. |
... |
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