NPR News: 07-21-2026 6AM EDT

Jeanine Herbst· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will ask the Senate Appropriations Committee today for three hundred fifty billion dollars to fund the Iran war. NPR's Quil Lawrence reports Hegseth will be on Capitol Hill as attacks between Iran and the US are escalating.

Quil Lawrence0:20

US forces have bombed Iranian military and infrastructure targets for ten days running and have reinstated a naval blockade on Iran's ports and coastline. Iranian media reports scores of casualties. Iran has attacked US bases around the region with missiles and drones, killing at least three US service members since Friday. This week, the Department of Defense divulged that at least one hundred US troops have been injured in the last two weeks, most of whom returned to service. The Pentagon hasn't briefed the press since May, and the hearing today will be the first chance for senators from both parties to ask Hegseth publicly about the depletion of US military munitions, safety of troops in the region, and how the US plans to resolve the war. Quil Lawrence, NPR News.

Jeanine Herbst· Host1:03

President Trump meets with Lebanon's president today in Washington as the State Department tries to push forward a peace process between Israel and Lebanon. As NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports, the US is trying to give Lebanon's president a boost.

Michelle Kellerman1:18

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he thinks it will be a good meeting at the White House, and President Joseph Aoun will be able to return to Lebanon and say he's getting real results for his people,