Escalating Attacks Between US & Iran, Inflation Hits Three-Year High, World Cup Opens
6/11/202614 min
The U.S. unleashed a second straight night of strikes on Iran with President Trump saying Iran is taking too long to negotiate, as Iran fires back at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan and Trump reveals U.S. efforts to help oil tankers slip past the Iranian blockade.
Inflation jumped to its highest level in more than three years last month, largely driven by soaring gas prices since the war with Iran began, leaving many families like Emily Inlow in Kentucky struggling as wages fail to keep pace with rising costs.
And the 2026 World Cup kicks off today in Mexico City, the world’s biggest sporting event already shadowed by protests, geopolitical tensions, and disputes over which teams and fans can even enter the United States.
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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Pallavi Gogoi, Tara Neill, Mohamad El-Bardicy and John Stolnis.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.
Our director is Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.
(0:00) Introduction
(02:23) Escalating Attacks Between US & Iran
(06:12) Inflation Hits Three-Year High
(10:04) World Cup Opens
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSteve Inskeep· Host0:00
Have you watched any of the NBA finals? I know you're a big sports fan.
Leila Fadel· Host0:02
Huge. Huge. Um, no, I haven't. [laughs] I've watched little clips of, um, who's in the audience.
Steve Inskeep· Host0:11
Watch... Oh, yeah, who's in the au- [laughs] [laughs] I was about to tell you about the game, but never mind.
Leila Fadel· Host0:17
[laughs] Yeah. [laughs] I've watched the, uh- Jerry Seinfeld was there ... who's sitting there.
Steve Inskeep· Host0:21
[laughs] [gentle music] The United States attacked Iran again, this time to try to force Iranians to agree to American terms.
Leila Fadel· Host0:32
The Secretary of Defense talked of negotiating with bombs, and President Trump promised another strike tonight.
Steve Inskeep· Host0:37
I'm Steve Inskeep with Leila Fadel, and this is Up First from NPR News. Families are facing the highest inflation levels in more than three years.
Emily Enloe· Soundbite0:49
Even though I'm making the most I've ever made at any job, we're going over what we're bringing in.
Steve Inskeep· Host0:55
President Trump says he loves that inflation wasn't even higher and promises prices will fall when the war he started in Iran is over.
Leila Fadel· Host1:02
And the World Cup kicks off today. The biggest sporting event in the world is taking place at a tense moment for the three host countries. We'll get a view from Mexico City, where the first game will be played amid protests and celebrations. Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day.
Speaker 31:17
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