Middle East

Jamileh Alamolhoda is the wife of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

World News

Why Iran won't budge on mandatory hijab laws — according to the president's wife

8:53am September 25, 2023

by Steve Inskeep

Jamileh Alamolhoda, the wife of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, talks about why Iran's government is unwilling to compromise on compulsory headscarf rules.

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Iran faces pressure for its treatment of women. The president's wife defends it

5:08am September 25, 2023

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Jamileh Alamolhoda, wife of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, about why Iran's ruling establishment won't compromise on compulsory headscarves.

Palestinians inspect a damaged building following an Israeli army raid in Nour Shams refugee camp in the northern West Bank, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Palestinians said at least two people were killed in the raid, which the army said was carried out to destroy a militant command center and bomb-storage facility in the building.

World News

Israel strikes Gaza for the third straight day as West Bank violence escalates

2:17pm September 24, 2023

by The Associated Press

A series of violent escalations on the border between Israel and Gaza over the past week during a sensitive Jewish holiday period raised the specter of an escalation for the first time since May.

Pentagon files NPR obtained in its investigation of casualties in the Baghdadi raid

8:01am September 24, 2023

by Daniel Estrin

An NPR investigation found flaws in the Pentagon's claim that deadly airstrikes did not hit civilians. These are the documents NPR obtained from the Pentagon.

U.S. Envoy for Yemen says we are at a moment for hope in near decade-long conflict

4:30pm September 22, 2023

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks to U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, about his recent efforts to rally international support for the war-ravage country

World News

After hostage deal with Iran, U.S. looks to deter arbitrary arrests abroad

6:05pm September 21, 2023

by Michele Kelemen

After making a deal to free Americans held in Iran, the U.S. is looking with other countries to find ways to stop countries from making arbitrary arrests.

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Siamak Namazi's brother welcomes him home after 8 years of captivity in Iran

5:08pm September 20, 2023

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Babak Namazi, whose brother was held captive by Iran.

Souad Ait Hmad el Haych (left), 25, grieves as the body of her cousin is buried in Imi N'Tala, Morocco, on Sept. 13.

World News

Morocco's earthquake crumbled much of this adobe village nestled in the mountain

9:56pm September 19, 2023

by Eleanor Beardsley

Morocco's earthquake last week hit thousands of people who live in traditional villages in the Atlas Mountains. NPR followed rescuers and saw just how hard it was getting to people in need.

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The U.S.-Iran prisoner swap 'was the right deal to make,' deputy special envoy says

4:38pm September 19, 2023

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Abram Paley, deputy special envoy for Iran, on the prisoner swap that allowed five Americans who'd been detained in Iran for years, to return to the U.S.

Family members embrace freed Americans Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz and Emad Shargi, as well as two returnees whose names have not been released by the U.S. government, who were released in a prisoner swap deal between U.S and Iran, as they arrive at Davison Army Airfield on Tuesday at Fort Belvoir, Va.

5 Americans freed from prison in Iran land on U.S. soil

10:24am September 19, 2023

by Bill Chappell

The former prisoners were tearfully reunited with family and friends at the airport, hugging and crying after years of enforced separation.