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As the U.S. and Iran trade demands for ending the war, NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Richard Nephew, a former deputy special envoy for Iran in the Biden administration.

Iran's military command is rejecting a 15-point peace proposal from the U.S., saying it will not "come to terms" with Washington and laid out its own conditions.

The war in the Middle East ramped up on Thursday as Israel launched a wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure, and Iran fired rounds of missiles at central Israel.

The Pentagon is considering the seizure of Iran's Kharg Island. It's a risky operation, and Iran could retaliate by targeting the biggest energy facilities in the Gulf, sending prices soaring.

NPR's Steve Inskeep asks retired Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland about the rapid deployment capabilities of the 82nd Airborne and the strategic advantages those troops provide.

The U.S. and Israel say they've depleted most of Iran's missile arsenal, but its weapons -- including controversial cluster munitions -- are challenging even the most advanced air-defense systems.

Thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division are expected to deploy to the Middle East. Iran publicly rejected a ceasefire proposal, though the White House says talks continue.

The Arab countries of the Gulf opposed the U.S. war in Iran. Yet they face some of the heaviest attacks from Iran and feel the war could leave them less secure than when the fighting began.

Iranians escaping hardship and war are shaking it off to Persian, Arabic and Turkish tunes in this disco in eastern Turkey.

What are Israel's larger goals as it expands its offensive into Lebanon? NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Daniel Levy, a former peace negotiator for Israel.