NPR News: 07-18-2026 5PM EDT

Jeanine Herbst· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Hurst. US Central Command says two US troops were killed during an Iranian attack on a base in Jordan yesterday. Another one is missing. NPR's Carrie Khan has more.

Carrie Kahn0:13

According to Central Command, the two service members were defending alongside partner forces during Iranian air assaults when they were killed. US troops operate in multiple Jordanian military installations that have come under fire from Iran in recent days. Four other US service members were injured. They were sent to Jordanian hospitals and later discharged. For the seventh straight night, the US has struck dozens of what it says are military logistic and infrastructure sites in Iran. Iran says the US has targeted civilian sites, including bridges and civilian utility structures. Citing the ongoing US strikes, Iran says the preliminary peace plan signed nearly one month ago is now no longer being implemented. Carrie Khan, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Jeanine Herbst· Host1:00

Poor air quality continues in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and Midwest as smoke from hundreds of wildfires burning in Canada and northern Minnesota spreads. The National Weather Service says heavy rain and storms could help clear the air in some places, as NPR's Kristin Wright reports.

Kristin Wright1:16

The wildfires in northern Minnesota and Canada are still going strong, and firefighters are having a hard time. With the heat and other weather conditions, this means the smoke and poor air quality will stick around in some places. National Weather Service forecaster