NPR News: 05-05-2026 6AM EDT

This NPR News Now broadcast from May 5, 2026, rounds up global tensions in the Middle East, a temporary Supreme Court order on abortion medication access, elections in multiple states, U.S. military actions, a proposed Colorado River water deal, a mass shooting in Oklahoma, and a nod to Cinco de Mayo.

Gulf Shipping Crisis Amid Iranian Attacks

The United Arab Emirates reported Iranian drone and missile strikes yesterday, raising fears of renewed war. U.S. Admiral Brad Cooper, the commanding officer in the region, described the first day of defensive operations as challenging, with Iran launching cruise missiles, drones, small boats, and ships. Cooper stated that U.S. forces defeated every threat, protecting both merchant and U.S. naval vessels, though most Iranian fire targeted commercial ships. The U.S. plans to expand operations, but uncertainty remains about how many merchant vessels will risk passage despite protection—hundreds remain stranded in the Gulf due to Iran's blockade. This underscores vulnerabilities in global shipping routes and the U.S. commitment to securing them amid escalating regional hostilities.