US-Iran Negotiations, Middle East Reacts To Possible Deal, DRC Ebola Outbreak Spreads

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🗓️ 25 May 2026

⏱️ 14 minutes

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Summary

President Trump says a deal with Iran is “largely negotiated” after weekend talks with Gulf leaders and Israel. The preliminary agreement is expected to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz while leaving the nuclear program for a later round of talks. Some Republican senators are already calling it a disaster.
Gulf countries are pressing hard for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict with Iran as a preliminary 60-day ceasefire extension is discussed, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other regional players react to the latest developments.
In eastern Congo, a rare strain of Ebola has killed more than 200 people amid an outbreak complicated by ongoing conflict, misinformation, and severely strained aid efforts.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Krishnadev Calamur, Tina Kraja, Tara Neil, Mohamad ElBardicy and Taylor Haney.

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.

(0:00) Introduction
(02:26) US-Iran Negotiations
(06:18) Middle East Reacts To Possible Deal
(10:08) DRC Ebola Outbreak Spreads

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Transcript

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0:00.0	You know, I always forget when our, like, holidays are, and I feel like I'm always hosting on those days.
0:04.6	Because I don't know today.
0:05.6	Because you are hosting on those days.
0:07.2	But, you know, I feel good about showing up on a day like this.
0:10.2	Because I figure, you know, like, anybody who...
0:12.2	Anybody who listens to me on a holiday needs me.
0:18.5	Well, I hope a lot of people are sleeping in.
0:21.9	Yes, yes.
0:25.1	And listening to us later than 5 a.m.
0:26.0	Like 6 a.m.
0:28.0	6 a.m. 7 a.m. 9 a.
0:30.1	But still listen. You still need to be informed on a holiday. You got to be informed. You got to keep up on events.
0:35.2	President Trump said an agreement with Iran is, quote, largely negotiated and would move everyone closer to peace.
0:42.3	He says the deal would open the Strait of Hormuz, so why do some Republicans call it a disaster?
0:47.3	I'm Lela Faudil. That's Steven Skeep, and this is up first from NPR News.
0:53.7	This is a preliminary deal with Iran.
0:56.5	It wouldn't include the unconditional surrender.
0:59.1	President Trump was demanding, nor does it address a key U.S. concern, Iran's nuclear enrichment.
1:04.2	Has Iran capitulated at all?
1:06.6	Also, an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 200 people.
1:12.4	Groups are struggling to respond amid violence, misinformation, and less U.S. support.
1:17.4	Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.
	...

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