NPR News: 05-30-2026 8AM EDT

Windsor Johnston· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the White House is still pursuing a diplomatic agreement with Iran. Speaking in Singapore today, Hegseth said President Trump wants a deal that prevents Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. But he warned that military options remain available if the latest round of talks fail.

Pete Hegseth· Soundbite0:25

We were in a cabinet meeting just, uh, a couple of days ago, and the president said, "Hey, it will be a great deal, and if Iran doesn't wanna make a great deal, uh, that ensures they don't get a nuclear weapon, uh, they can deal with the guy on my left." And he was pointing at the War Department. And we're serious about that. We, our ability to recommence if necessary is, uh, we are more than capable. Our stockpiles are, are more than suited for that.

Windsor Johnston· Host0:47

The White House says negotiators are making progress, though officials on both sides acknowledge key differences remain. A federal judge has reopened President Trump's lawsuit against the IRS over the 2019 leak of his tax returns. Trump had agreed to dismiss the case as part of a settlement that created a compensation fund for people who say they were wrongly targeted by the federal government. NPR's Elena Moore reports.

Elena Moore1:17

Trump sued the IRS for $10 billion back in February. Then, earlier this month, after the federal judge overseeing the case questioned its merits, he dropped it. Instead, the administration announced a settlement