NPR News: 07-08-2026 6AM EDT

Windsor Johnston· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump says he believes the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is over after US forces carried out a new wave of strikes on Iranian military targets overnight. Speaking at the NATO Summit in Turkey, Trump called Iranians, quote, "scum," and blamed Tehran for shattering the temporary truce.

Donald Trump· Soundbite0:24

They're liars, they're cheats, they're sick people. They've hurt their people. They killed fifty-four thousand people as of now that were protesting. You know, when people say, "How come they haven't taken over?" They can't take over because they're dead.

Windsor Johnston· Host0:39

Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it launched strikes on US military targets in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to US airstrikes. The White House says its military operation was in retaliation for Iranian assaults on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. NPR's Hadiel Al-Shalchi reports the latest military escalation is threatening to derail efforts to reach an agreement between both sides.

Hadil Al-Shalchi1:03

US Central Command said it launched the attacks on Iran to, quote, "impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping in an international waterway," referring to the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has not claimed responsibility for any attacks, but said it would deliver a, quote, "crushing response." Soon after, the Kuwaiti army said it was confronting missile and drone attacks, and sirens went off in Bahrain. The strikes come amid a shaky ceasefire between