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Episode Date: March 2, 2026

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On the latest episode of Sources and Methods, NPR's National Security podcast, the U.S. and Israel have attacked Iran. President Trump is calling for regime change telling Iranians, quote, when we are finished, take over your government. We break down the most important questions about what happens next. I'm Mary Louise Kelly. Listen now to sources and methods on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR news, I'm Dale Wilman. The Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah says it launched an attack on Israel just after midnight, local time. Israel responded by striking targets across Lebanon, including Beirut,

in ordering the evacuation of 53 Lebanese villages. MPR's Jawad Ruskala reports. Hezbollah said it fired rockets and drones at an Israeli missile defense site south of Haifa, calling it retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khomeini Saturday. Also adding that Israel cannot continue its 15 months of aggression on Lebanon without a response. Israel's military said it struck senior Hasbullah figures in Beirut and southern Lebanon. The army chief warned that, quote, any enemy that threatens our security will pay a heavy price. Residents of Beirut's southern suburbs and the country

south are fleeing by car and on foot amid fears of escalation. Lebanon's prime minister said the launching of rockets from southern Lebanon is irresponsible and said they provide Israel with a pretext to continue attacks. Jawad Ruskallah, NPR News, Beirut. In Iran, meanwhile, the U.S. military says at least three American service members have been killed as a result of the fighting there, and five others have been seriously wounded. They're the first casualties of the fighting still underway there. The initial announcement of those deaths came from U.S. Central Command. A U.S. official not authorized to speak publicly did tell NPR that they were ground-based troops with an Army support group in Kuwait.

We've seen missile and drone hits at U.S. bases in many countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. Ports in Amman and Dubai have also been hit. Iran's military retaliation has also affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. That's NPR's Kerry Khan, who is in Istanbul, Turkey. The U.S. strikes are continuing in Iran. Officials say they've been targeting Iran's warships, as well as some ballistic missile sites. The FBI is investigating a mass shooting in Austin that left three dead, including the suspect, and 14, injured, as a potential act of terrorism. Katie McAfee from member station, KUT, has more. The Austin Police Department confirmed the suspect as the 53-year-old Indiaga Diakna, who was fatally shot by police. Several state lawmakers say he was a naturalized U.S. citizen from Senegal who was wearing a sweatshirt that said, property of a law.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis says the suspect opened fire after circling around a popular entertainment district in downtown Austin several times in an SUV. At one point, he put its flashers on, rolled down his window, and began using a pistol shooting out of his car windows. The shooting is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism by a joint task force, which includes members of the FBI, state law enforcement, and APD. For NPR News, I'm Katie McAfee and Austin. And you're listening to NPR News. The conflict in the Middle East comes as athletes from around the world, including Iran, Israel, and the U.S., are gathering in Italy for the winter Paralympic Games. And Paris-Brien Mann reports that travel disruptions are affecting some of those athletes. The decision by Israel and the U.S. to launch military strikes against Iran breached the symbolic Olympic truce approved by the United Nations, which runs through mid-March.

Hundreds of athletes from around the world are gathering in Italy for the paralytic. Games, including skiers from Iran and Israel. The family of Australian Paralympic skier Michael Milton has reportedly been trapped in Doha, Qatar, after airline flights were cancelled because of Iranian counterstrikes. The Paralympic Games were already overshadowed by military conflict after Olympic officials allowed Russian athletes to compete under their national flag, despite the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. A growing number of countries are boycotting the opening ceremony. Brian Mann and PR News, Milan. The president of Iran's soccer federation says he's not sure if that country's national team will play World Cup matches in the U.S.

His comments came after the U.S. and Israel launched a series of strikes on Iran this weekend. Iran is in Group G at the World Cup and is scheduled to play two games in Los Angeles and another in Seattle. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado says she plans to return to Venezuela soon. In comments on social media Sunday, she said she will push for new elections and her goal is a job. gigantic electoral victory. She did not say, though, exactly when she plans to return there. Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 for her fight for Democratic transition in Venezuela. I'm Dale Wilman and PR News. This message comes from Wise, the app for international people using money around the globe. You can send, spend, and receive in up to 40 currencies with only a few simple taps. Be smart,

get Wise. Download the Wise app today or visit Wise.com. T's and Cs apply.