Israel’s exclusion clouds planned U.S.-Iran talks
NPR reports Israel is outside a U.S.-Iran agreement expected Friday, while G7 leaders focus on Iran, Ukraine and World Cup hosts see new visitors.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Israel’s absence from planned U.S.-Iran negotiations could make efforts to end hostilities harder, according to NPR. The United States and Iran are expected to sign an agreement Friday that would open talks, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be part of them, NPR reported.
NPR’s Carrie Kahn told Up First that the expected agreement amounts to a pledge to negotiate rather than a final settlement. Kahn said it remains unclear how Iran’s nuclear program will be handled in the talks, even though Israel has described that issue as a central reason for the war.
Israel also opposes Iran’s demand that it leave all Lebanese territory, NPR reported. With Israeli elections due in the fall, Kahn said Netanyahu is facing criticism from political allies and opponents over a process that leaves Israel outside the talks while Hezbollah remains active in Lebanon.
G7 leaders turn to Iran and Ukraine
President Trump is scheduled to meet with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates during his first full day at the G7 summit, NPR reported. NPR described both countries as key players in the agreement involving Iran.
Iran has drawn attention at the summit, but NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben reported that European leaders are also pressing for Russia to negotiate an end to its war in Ukraine. Trump and other G7 leaders are set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to NPR.
Kurtzleben said Russia fired dozens of missiles at Ukraine this week, killing 11 people and causing a fire at one of Ukraine’s religious landmarks. She also reported that French President Emmanuel Macron, who is hosting the summit, has been among the strongest European advocates for reducing reliance on the United States, as Trump’s disputes with European allies over NATO and Greenland have pushed them to coordinate more closely.
Primaries and a court hearing
Oklahoma and the District of Columbia are holding primary elections, while Georgia and Alabama have runoff contests, NPR reported. NPR’s Stephen Fowler said Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia is the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent on the ballot on paper, and the winner of the Republican runoff will move into a costly, closely watched race.
In Oklahoma, NPR reported that Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s appointment as Homeland Security secretary has opened a chain of seats after his replacement declined to seek a full term. In Washington, D.C., voters are casting ballots in a mayoral primary that NPR described as highly consequential.
NPR also reported that Luigi Mangione’s legal team is due in a New York City court this week for a major pretrial hearing. Mangione is accused of stalking and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and NPR said donors have contributed $1.5 million toward his defense.
World Cup visitors fan out across the U.S.
As the World Cup enters its second week, NPR reported that international visitors are spending time beyond stadiums in host cities and training locations. The tournament is being played in 11 U.S. cities, nearly half of them in the South, NPR said.
Japanese sports journalist Tatsuya Takeuchi told NPR he had not previously visited Nashville, where Japan’s team is training. After he posted a photo of a meat-and-three plate, Takeuchi said people sent food recommendations, and he later tried hot chicken.
Scottish tourist Shaun Alexander told NPR that his experience in the United States had been warmer than the international news might suggest. NPR also reported that Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 in its opener near Boston, where kilt-wearing fans arrived by chartered school buses.
This story draws on original reporting from NPR.