US Hits Iran Amid Talks, Russia-Ukraine War Intensifies, Texas Primary Runoff
Up First from NPR
NPR
4.6 • 59K Ratings
🗓️ 26 May 2026
⏱️ 13 minutes
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Summary
Russia carried out one of its largest attacks on Ukraine, hitting every district in Kyiv over the weekend while Ukraine continues long-range drone strikes on Russian oil facilities and warns it desperately needs more air defense systems.
Texas Republicans are voting today in the most expensive primary in U.S. history, with President Trump’s endorsed candidate Ken Paxton challenging longtime Senator John Cornyn in a high-stakes race that could have major implications for the midterms.
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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Miguel Macias, Tina Kraya, Anna Yukhananov, Mohamad ElBardicy and John Stolnis.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.
Our director is Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.
(0:00) Introduction
(01:59) US Hits Iran Amid Talks
(05:49) Russia-Ukraine War Intensifies
(09:44) Texas Primary Runoff
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The United States launched new strikes on Iran. |
| 0:05.0 | This says the U.S. is also trying to negotiate and enter the war. |
| 0:09.0 | We hear from Israel where the Prime Minister insists that his military campaign in Lebanon will continue. |
| 0:14.0 | I'm Steve Inskeep with Leila Fadl, and this is up first from NPR News. |
| 0:20.0 | Ukraine keeps hitting Russia's oil infrastructure. Russia research. First from NPR News. |
| 0:24.2 | Ukraine keeps hitting Russia's oil infrastructure. |
| 0:27.3 | Russia responded over the weekend with heavy attacks on Keef. |
| 0:32.3 | Ukraine says it needs more air defense systems, which are in short supply because of the war with Iran. |
| 0:33.7 | And voters in Texas choose their Republican candidate for Senate today. |
| 0:38.1 | Incumbent Senator John Cornyn says if President Trump's candidate, Ken Paxton wins, |
| 0:42.6 | it could benefit Democrats in the midterms. |
| 0:45.2 | This would be the first chance they've had in 30 or 40 years to pick up a statewide office. |
| 0:51.2 | Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day. |
| 1:04.7 | The United States launched new attacks on Iran in the midst of a ceasefire. The U.S. Central Command says it targeted missile launch sites and boats trying to lay mines. The U.S. describes this |
| 1:10.3 | strike as self-defense while the U.S. |
| 1:12.3 | tries to negotiate an end of the war with Iran. President Trump raised expectations for peace with a |
| 1:17.5 | claim over the weekend that an agreement was largely negotiated. Trump and other officials have |
| 1:22.8 | since said they need more negotiation. Israeli officials have insisted they will continue attacking in one of the |
| 1:28.9 | fronts of the war in Lebanon, where there is also supposed to be a ceasefire. NPR's Daniel Estrian |
| 1:34.6 | is following all of this from Tel Aviv and joins me now. Good morning, Daniel. Good morning, Leila. |
| 1:39.5 | So what were these U.S. attacks on Iran trying to achieve? U.S. Central Command says it attacked targets, including Iranian boats, trying to place mines. |
| 1:49.4 | And Iran named at least four Navy officers killed. |
... |
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