NPR News: 07-03-2026 2AM EDT

Giles Snyder· Host0:00

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Iran is enjoying an unexpected windfall after the Trump administration lifted sanctions on the country's oil sales. The move is expected to unlock billions of dollars for the regime. NPR's Jackie Northam reports.

Jackie Northam0:16

Lifting longstanding sanctions on its oil exports was a key demand by Iran during recent peace negotiations with the US and could pull in between eight and ten billion dollars for the regime while the agreement is in effect until August 21st. President Trump defended lifting oil sanctions, saying, in exchange, Iran agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz. Bob McNelly, president of Rapidan Energy Group, says the president had little choice.

Speaker 30:43

This is a ransom payment for oil. Iran took Hormuz hostage, and we had to pay Iran to release the hostage.

Jackie Northam0:52

There's been pushback by Iran hawks who say the regime will use money from oil sales to build up its military and proxies in the region. Jackie Northam, NPR News.

Giles Snyder· Host1:03

Iran is warning oil tankers to use approved routes in the Strait of Hormuz or face what it said would be a forceful response. Iran's joint military command issued that statement on state television Thursday. It's not clear what sparked it. Washington, DC District Attorney, Janine Pirro, says the man who is now facing a felony charge for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool acted intentionally.

Janine Pirro· Soundbite1:28

Our evidence