U.S. strikes Iran after deaths of three military personnel

The U.S. military launched another round of strikes in Iran over the weekend after three U.S. service members were reported killed since Friday, according to NPR. The developments add pressure on Congress as House leaders try to secure defense funding before lawmakers leave Washington for August recess.

U.S. Central Command said two service members died in an Iranian missile and drone attack in Jordan, NPR reported. CENTCOM also said the remains of an unidentified person were found at the same location.

NPR reported that the latest strikes extended the U.S. bombing campaign in Iran to nine straight nights. Iran said it targeted U.S. transport and command aircraft, according to NPR.

Jordan drawn closer to the conflict

Jordan has tried to avoid becoming part of the fighting, NPR's Jane Arraf reported on Up First. Arraf described Jordan as a small but strategically important U.S. security partner with a large, low-profile American military presence.

Jordan also has a peace treaty with Israel, a factor that heightens the country's sensitivity to the widening conflict, according to NPR. On Sunday, the U.S. Embassy warned of threats to the Aqaba tourist area, NPR reported.

Jordan denied that Aqaba faced a threat, according to NPR. Iranian missiles hit its airport shortly afterward, NPR reported.

House faces a crowded week

The House has one week left before its planned August break, and Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to move several priorities, according to NPR. Those include more defense money, the president's election-integrity bill, a ban on stock trading by lawmakers and a plan to keep federal funding in place beyond the November election.

NPR's Eric McDaniel reported that Johnson's narrow majority complicates any push for more war funding. McDaniel said roughly a dozen Republicans may resist adding money for an expanding military effort through a reconciliation bill unless lawmakers identify ways to pay for it.

President Trump is focused on passing the SAVE America Act election bill, according to NPR. House Republicans are trying to attach the measure to unrelated legislation to pressure the Senate, but NPR reported that the effort faces long odds because the Senate would require 60 votes, Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats oppose the bill.

Burnham takes office in the U.K.

Andy Burnham becomes the United Kingdom's prime minister today, NPR reported. He replaces Keir Starmer and becomes the country's seventh leader in 10 years.

NPR's Lauren Frayer reported that Burnham is expected to continue much of Starmer's approach because both politicians come from the same party and share broadly similar politics. NPR reported that Burnham inherits problems including weak economic growth, elevated energy costs and pressure to increase defense spending.

Relations with Trump are also a challenge, according to NPR. Frayer reported that Trump soured on Starmer after Starmer took a strong position on the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and criticized Trump-linked policies including immigration.

Hunter Biden discusses scrutiny

Hunter Biden told NPR that public scrutiny left him with nowhere to hide. NPR reported that he reactivated his X account in May with the statement, “You've never actually heard from me.”

His return to public conversation follows years of Justice Department and congressional investigations, according to NPR. In an interview with NPR's Scott Simon for Newsmakers, Biden discussed addiction, public attention and the pardon he received from his father, former President Joe Biden.

This story draws on original reporting from NPR.