Houthi Blockade Widens Conflict
Yemen's Houthi rebels announced a blockade of Saudi Arabia, threatening a key oil route, even as Iran signals potential openness to talks.
1NPR Up First
Iran-Houthi Blockade, Hegseth Funding, Arizona Primaries
The U.S.-Iran conflict widens with a new Houthi blockade, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seeks a $90 billion funding boost and Arizona holds its primary elections.
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Iran And Yemen's Houthis Blockade, Hegseth On Capitol Hill, Arizona Primary Day
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What to know before you press play.
Hegseth Seeks $90 Billion Boost
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is requesting nearly $90 billion in additional funding for the war with Iran, following reports of 100 troops wounded in two weeks.
2Arizona Primary Concludes
Primary voting in Arizona concludes, highlighting the state's role in election denialism and shaping races for governor, a House seat, and secretary of state.
3Ask GenPod next
Keep the question moving.
“How does the Houthi blockade impact global oil prices?”
“What is the current status of U.S.-Iran diplomatic talks?”
“Which candidates are leading in the Arizona governor's race?”
Background reading
The context behind the episode.
Military Context
Pentagon Updates
The Pentagon has not briefed reporters since May, despite admitting that 100 troops were wounded in the past two weeks.
2Questions
Questions to carry into the episode.
What is the significance of the Houthi blockade?
It chokes off another key oil route, widening the war between the U.S. and Iran.
1Why is Pete Hegseth appearing before Capitol Hill?
To ask lawmakers for a nearly $90 billion dollar funding boost for the war with Iran.
2What races are highlighted in the Arizona primary?
Governor, a toss-up House seat, and secretary of state.
3Sources and disclosure
Where this guide comes from.
This episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Andrew Sussman, Larry Kaplow, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Stacey Abbott. And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.
- Publisher show notes
The war between the U.S. and Iran keeps widening as Yemen's Houthi rebels announce a blockade of Saudi Arabia that would choke off another key oil route, even as Iran signals it may be open to talks.
- Publisher show notes
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth heads to Capitol Hill today to ask lawmakers for a nearly 90 billion dollar funding boost for the war with Iran, in a rare chance for senators to question him after the Pentagon admitted 100 troops were wounded in the past two weeks and hasn't briefed reporters since May.
- Publisher show notes
And it's the last day of primary voting in Arizona, a swing state that's become ground zero for election denialism, with big fall races taking shape for governor, a toss-up House seat, and secretary of state.
- Publisher show notes
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- Publisher show notes
Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Andrew Sussman, Larry Kaplow, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.
- Publisher show notes
It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas
- Publisher show notes
Our director is Christopher Thomas
- Publisher show notes
We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Stacey Abbott.
- Publisher show notes
And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.
- Publisher show notes
(0:00) Introduction (01:53) Iran And Yemen's Houthis Blockade (05:31) Hegseth On Capitol Hill (09:20) Arizona Primary Day
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