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5 min readNPR News Now: March 12, 2026 — 10AM EDT
Iran's newly named Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, released his first public statement today, declaring that Iran should continue to control the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway through which a substantial share of the world's oil passes. The statement, delivered across Iranian official media and read in Farsi by a newsreader, was accompanied by a still photo of Khamenei. He assumed the role after his father, the former Supreme Leader, was killed on the first day of the war. In his remarks, Khamenei also said Iran would continue striking bases in the Persian Gulf region.
The war continues on multiple fronts. Iran's proxy militia Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel, and Israel is attacking parts of Lebanon. Israel has been telling people to flee, and some 800,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon. The Strait of Hormuz remains largely stalled as Iran retaliates for attacks by the U.S. and Israel.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:00) **Iran's New Supreme Leader Issues First Statement** - Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei says Iran should continue to control the Strait of Hormuz, which has effectively shut down oil shipping.
- 2 (01:21) **Stocks Open Lower as Oil Tops $90 a Barrel** - The Dow fell more than 500 points in early trading.
- 3 (01:49) **U.S. Trade Deficit Narrows, Jobless Claims Steady** - The Commerce Department reported the trade deficit narrowed to $54.5 billion in January, with exports up.
- 4 (02:14) **Trump Administration Launches New Trade Investigations** - The White House announced probes into unfair trading practices by 16 major trading partners, aiming to reinstate tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down original levies.
- 5 (03:02) **Chilean Architect Wins Pritzker Prize** - NPR's Neda Ulaby reports on Alejandro Aravena, who designed theaters, restaurants, and an award-winning winery, as well as stores for Alexander McQueen.
- 6 (03:57) **Social Security Administration Probes DOGE Staffer Data Misuse** - New allegations that a former staffer with President Trump's cost-cutting effort may have misused sensitive Social Security data.
- 7 (04:33) **Wall Street Update** - The Dow is now down 460 points.
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