NPR News: 05-05-2026 1AM EDT

This NPR News Now episode from May 5, 2026, recaps a range of developments, led by fresh US-Iran military clashes in the Strait of Hormuz, alongside Supreme Court intervention on abortion pill access, Alabama's push to redraw congressional maps, and scattered reports on violence, longevity planning, and cultural events.

US-Iran Skirmishes in Strait of Hormuz

The US and Iran exchanged attacks on Monday in the Strait of Hormuz. US officials reported destroying several small Iranian boats, while Iran targeted US ships guarding an oil tanker and an oil port in the United Arab Emirates. Admiral Brad Cooper described US efforts as a defensive mission to secure safe passage for stranded oil tankers through the strait, responding to Iran's blockade on behalf of the international community. He confirmed to reporters by phone that no US military ships had been lost. These incidents fuel debate over the War Powers Resolution: whether hostilities have exceeded the 60-day limit requiring congressional approval. Last week, President Trump wrote to Congress claiming a ceasefire had terminated the conflict before that threshold.