NPR News: 05-15-2026 4AM EDT

This NPR News Now episode from May 15, 2026, reports on escalating Middle East tensions linked to the ongoing Iran war, US domestic pushes to end that conflict, a temporary Supreme Court order on abortion medication access, closing arguments in Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, proposed changes to school nutrition standards, and a sharp drop in South Korean markets.

Strait of Hormuz Tensions and US-China Talks

President Trump, speaking to Fox News after meetings in Beijing, stated that Chinese leader Xi Jinping committed to withholding military equipment from Iran, calling it a "big statement." Trump noted China's interest in continuing oil purchases from Iran and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes. He joked about the dynamic: "If they stopped it, then you stopped them." China has repeatedly denied providing weapons to Iran, though the New York Times reported that Chinese companies have considered routing them through other countries. A ship anchored off the United Arab Emirates was seized Thursday and taken toward Iran, while another was attacked and sank near Oman's coast. The White House said Trump and Xi agreed on the need to reopen the strait, as Trump departed for Washington on Air Force One amid rising tensions.