What did President Trump know about Iran before going to war

NPR | By Steve Inskeep

Published March 19, 2026 at 6:48 AM EDT

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Nate Swanson, former director for Iran at the National Security Council, about what President Trump understood about Iran before going to war.

More Stories

Morning news brief

Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep

Iran attacks world's largest liquified natural gas complex, Sen. Markwayne Mullin faces lawmakers at DHS confirmation hearing, organizers reckon with abuse allegations against activist Caesar Chavez.
Cillian Murphy on reprising his role as Tommy Shelby for 'Peaky Blinders' film

Steve Inskeep

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with actor Cillian Murphy about his return to the role of gangster Tommy Shelby for the film "Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man."
Japan's PM to visit Trump as president continues pleas for help with Strait of Hormuz

Anthony Kuhn, Steve Inskeep

As Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi prepares for her first White House visit, President Donald Trump calls for Japan and other allies to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz.
Voice memos hint at what life is like inside Iran during the war

Arezou Rezvani

Iran has imposed a near-total internet blackout as the war with the U.S. and Israel rages on. Some Iranians are sending voice memos to share a glimpse of what life is like inside the country.
Federal Reserve holds benchmark interest rate steady amid wartime uncertainty

Scott Horsley

The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady this week. The central bank says it's too soon to know how the wartime spike in energy prices will affect overall inflation.