• Tuesday, August 25, 2026
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Description

President Trump and his Cabinet say Iran's nuclear program was "devastated," "obliterated," and "destroyed" by U.S. strikes this weekend. But the reality is it's much more complicated. As Iran and Israel enter a fragile ceasefire, we discuss just how effective this military action was. Plus, how is Congress responding.

This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, Congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales, and senior science editor and correspondent Geoff Brumfiel.

This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Lexie Schapitl. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at
plus.npr.org/politics.

This episode incorrectly states that Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., were pushing for a new Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in Congress following the U.S. strikes against Iran. In fact, they were pursuing a new war powers resolution, and not a new AUMF.


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