NPR News: 03-24-2026 1AM EDT

This NPR News Now episode delivers a rapid roundup of global and domestic headlines, spanning US-Iran tensions, immigration enforcement plans, a voting rights case at the Supreme Court, aviation accidents, and a public health study on kidney stones.

US-Iran Signals on Talks and Strait Ultimatum

President Trump and Iran issued conflicting messages on potential negotiations amid ongoing conflict. Iran denied any talks are underway, while Trump stated Iran is eager for a deal to end the war. He claimed the US has eliminated Iran's leadership in "phase one, phase two, and largely phase three," and is now engaging "the man who I believe is the most respected and the leader," without naming him. Over the weekend, Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, threatening US strikes on Iranian power plants, but later extended it by five days, citing ongoing talks. Oil markets reacted sharply: prices retreated after his initial remarks but rebounded, with Brent crude exceeding $100 a barrel in Asian trading. These developments underscore the high stakes of the strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and the volatility they introduce to energy markets.