As war widens in Middle East, the U.S. struggles to explain rationale for attacks

NPR | By Aya Batrawy,

Franco Ordoñez

Published March 3, 2026 at 5:05 PM EST

President Trump took questions publicly for the first time since striking Iran as violence continues to unfold in the region.

Aya Batrawy

Aya Batraway is an NPR International Correspondent based in Dubai. She joined in 2022 from the Associated Press, where she was an editor and reporter for over 11 years.

Franco Ordoñez

Franco Ordoñez is a White House Correspondent for NPR's Washington Desk. Before he came to NPR in 2019, Ordoñez covered the White House for McClatchy. He has also written about diplomatic affairs, foreign policy and immigration, and has been a correspondent in Cuba, Colombia, Mexico and Haiti.

See stories by Franco Ordoñez

Sustain What Matters. Build What’s Next.

With federal funding eliminated, WKAR relies more than ever on community support to sustain essential services that remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan. Your support helps shape what comes next for public media in our region. The best way to support WKAR is by becoming a sustaining member today or by upgrading your current gift. Support WKAR TV Here | Support WKAR Radio Here.