Negotiations With Iran, Trump On Deal With Iran, ICE Impact On Airport Lines - Up First from NPR Recap

Podcast: Up First from NPR

Published: 2026-03-24

Duration: 806

Guests: Aya Batrawy, Franco Ordoñas, Sophie Granis

What Happened

President Trump has decided to delay his threat to attack Iran's power plants, citing ongoing productive conversations with Iran. Trump mentioned that negotiations are taking place through back channels via regional allies like Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan, although Iran has publicly denied engaging in direct talks with the U.S.

The focus of these talks is to negotiate a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, critical for oil transit, which Iran had closed. Rising global oil and gas prices are pressuring countries to seek a resolution, but trust remains a significant barrier to successful negotiations.

Iran has set its own demands, including compensation for the ongoing conflict, while the U.S. insists on conditions such as ending nuclear enrichment and cutting support to militias. Trump's approach reflects his typical negotiation style of maximalist pressure followed by a desire to find a settlement.

Amidst these international concerns, the impact of the partial government shutdown is felt domestically, with ICE agents deployed to airports to help with crowd control. However, their presence has not significantly reduced long wait times, notably in Atlanta, where lines extended up to five hours.

Travelers expressed confusion over the ICE agents' roles, as they seemed to focus more on patrolling rather than directly assisting with security procedures. The TSA union opposes their involvement, citing lack of proper training for airport security operations.

The shutdown has led to a significant number of TSA officers quitting or calling in sick, exacerbating the situation. President Trump has mentioned the possibility of deploying the National Guard to airports if the situation does not improve.

Key Insights

• President Trump has postponed military action against Iran, suggesting a possible deal is on the horizon, though Iran denies direct talks. The discussions are facilitated by regional partners like Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan.
• The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has caused global oil and gas prices to rise, adding pressure for a diplomatic resolution. However, mutual distrust and conflicting demands pose significant challenges.
• In response to the U.S. partial government shutdown, ICE agents have been deployed to airports to assist with crowd control, but their presence has not significantly shortened wait times, particularly in Atlanta.
• The TSA union criticizes the deployment of ICE agents at airports, arguing that they lack the necessary training to manage security, while TSA officers face financial strain and job dissatisfaction.