NPR News: 05-09-2026 6PM EDT

The NPR News Now broadcast from May 9, 2026, delivers a snapshot of pressing U.S. and global issues, from sanctions targeting Iran's weapons supply chain to domestic challenges in elections, public health, wildfire risks, and postal finances. No single theme dominates, but foreign policy tensions with China and Iran feature prominently amid upcoming diplomacy.

Sanctions Target Iran Drone and Missile Aid

The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and companies accused of supporting Iran's drone and ballistic missile programs. This includes one Chinese national and seven firms from China and Hong Kong, charged with procuring weapons components and supplies for Tehran. Separately, the Treasury targeted small private refineries in China that buy Iranian oil, aiming to cut off Iran's economic lifelines amid the ongoing Iran War. Beijing has instructed its companies to ignore these U.S. measures, heightening friction. The actions come days before President Trump's planned meeting with China's Xi Jinping in Beijing, where the Iran conflict could overshadow trade and other talks. NPR's Jennifer Pack, reporting from Shanghai, notes the U.S. strategy to economically isolate Iran, though China's defiance complicates enforcement.