NPR News: 04-23-2026 5PM EDT

President Trump stated he wants to avoid rushing into a deal with Iran but warned that the US is ready to escalate militarily if talks fail. He claimed US strikes have hit 78% of targeted sites, including Iran's manufacturing, missile production, and drone facilities, with plans to address the remaining 25% if needed. Trump emphasized he would not use nuclear weapons against Iran, saying such arms should never be deployed against anyone.

Pope Leo, returning from Africa, urged both the US and Iran to return to negotiations, criticizing violence as the default response to tensions and calling for solutions rooted in a "culture of peace." He referenced a photo of a Muslim child from Lebanon who welcomed him last year but was killed in the current conflict, noting the war's complexity while highlighting its chaos for the global economy and Iran's population. The US is pressing both sides to extend a 10-day ceasefire arranged last week, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the talks.