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NPR News: 03-14-2026 4PM EDT

March 14, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Two weeks into the U.S.-Israeli air campaign against Iran, the conflict has widened across the Persian Gulf and into Lebanon, but the stated goal of the war is shifting. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his first press conference since the war began and effectively walked back talk of regime change, saying the aim is now a weakened regime rather than toppling the government in Tehran. President Trump posted on social media that "many countries" will send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, which has been virtually shut down by Iran, though he provided no details and it is unclear if any agreement exists. Meanwhile, the Iran-backed Palestinian group Hamas has publicly called on Iran to stop attacking neighboring countries, a significant development that highlights Hamas's tricky position as it relies on Iran for financial and military support but also counts Turkey and Qatar as major backers—both of which have come under Iranian attack.

War in the Middle East: Two Weeks In

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:04) **War in the Middle East Widens** - Two weeks into the U.S. and Israeli air campaign against Iran, the conflict has expanded across the Persian Gulf and into Lebanon.
  • 2 (01:03) **Hamas Calls on Iran to Stop Targeting Neighbors** - The Iran-backed Palestinian group urges Tehran to halt attacks on neighboring countries, highlighting its tricky position as a proxy with multiple backers.
  • 3 (01:46) **Synagogue Attacks and Community Support** - Members of a Mississippi synagogue damaged by an arson attack in January offer support to a Detroit-area Jewish Temple attacked Thursday.
  • 4 (02:49) **U.S. Flag Raised Over Embassy in Caracas** - The flag raising comes exactly seven years after it was taken down in 2019.
  • 5 (03:00) **Justice Department Moves to Dismiss Flag Burning Charges** - Charges against an army veteran who set fire to an American flag near the White House last year are being dropped.
  • 6 (03:28) **Severe Storms Leave Hundreds of Thousands Without Power** - Storms hit from Wisconsin and Michigan to Virginia and New York; Ohio is the hardest hit with over 200,000 customers still without power.
  • 7 (03:43) **Hawaii Under State of Emergency from Kona Storm** - The storm began dumping rain on the islands this week.

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NPR News: 03-14-2026 4PM EDT

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