Middle East

The war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza directly impacts many Minnesotans. And while MPR News does not have journalists stationed in the region, we do have a responsibility to our audiences to report on how this ongoing conflict affects people here. Our goal is to provide MPR News audiences with a variety of perspectives, context and factual information. We are committed to using language that is as precise as possible.

As you will see here, the majority of the coverage on our air and our website is provided by our national and international news partners, NPR and the BBC. The language and terminology used to describe the conflict are changing. If you have questions or concerns about our coverage please reach out to us.

President Trump repeated threats to Iran during his Monday press conference, which he opened by describing the successful rescue mission for the downed airman over the weekend.
Iran pushes back against Trump’s deadline
Iran’s top officials pushed back against President Trump’s deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz, striking a defiant tone as the warring sides traded missile attacks.
Trump says U.S. military has rescued airman shot down over Iran
A U.S. Air Force officer whose plane was shot down in Iran was rescued by U.S. forces early Sunday after evading capture for more than a day in enemy territory, President Trump announced on social media.
Trump makes his case for war with Iran, saying the conflict is ‘nearing completion’
Trump used a prime-time address to outline his objectives for the war and discuss the military’s progress to date. He also repeated an earlier claim that fighting could end in two to three weeks.
MPR News host Catharine Richert and her guest talk about President Donald Trump’s address to the nation, what we’ve learned after the first month of the war with Iran and what could come next.
U.S. and Iraqi officials say kidnapped journalist had been warned of threats
U.S. and Iraqi officials say U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was born and raised in Wisconsin, was warned of threats before she was kidnapped in Baghdad. They say she was told she might be abducted in the days before her abduction.
President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with allies who have been unwilling to help the U.S. war effort, telling them to “go get your own oil” as the conflict with Iran and its closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent average U.S. gas prices past $4 a gallon.