US and Israel Strike Iran

Level 4 Lesson by: Aron Thode Source: bbc.com

Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It

A map of the Middle East representing different countries with different colors.
The Middle East

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has been killed after what the US and Israel described as a large, continuing attack on Iran's leaders and armed forces. His death marks a major turn in a conflict that is expanding across the Middle East.

The operation, called Operation Epic Fury by the US, followed weeks of threats from President Donald Trump. He had warned that he would order military action if Iran did not accept a new agreement on its nuclear program. Trump said the goal was to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, although Iran has repeatedly said its nuclear work is peaceful.

Trump also urged Iranian forces to lay down their arms and called on the public to rise against the government. Iran answered with missiles and drones aimed at US targets and allied countries in the region. The reported attacks reached Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.

The fighting has also affected global oil markets. Prices rose after at least three ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. In early trading in Asia on Monday, oil prices jumped by more than 10 percent before part of that rise faded later in the morning.

Reliable information from inside Iran remains limited because the country is facing an almost total internet shutdown. The Red Crescent said more than 200 people were killed and more than 700 were injured across Iran on Saturday. Officials also said at least 153 people died in an explosion at a school in southern Iran. Separate reports said around 40 Iranian officials were killed in the strikes, while Trump said nine Iranian navy ships were sunk and naval headquarters were destroyed.

Vocab List

  • conflict (n.) — A serious fight or disagreement, often between countries or groups.
  • threat (n.) — A statement or sign that harm may happen.
  • missile (n.) — A weapon sent through the air to hit a target.
  • drone (n.) — A small aircraft that flies without a pilot inside it.
  • allied (adj.) — Connected by support or partnership in a conflict.
  • fade (v.) — To become weaker or less strong over time.
  • shutdown (n.) — A situation in which something is stopped or turned off.
  • strike (n.) — A military attack against a target.
  • turn (n.) — A change in direction or situation.
  • armed forces (n.) — A country's military organizations, such as the army, navy, and air force.

Speaker: British Male  Duration: 2:01

YouTube link

Listen and fill the gaps below:

Listen and Fill Gaps

Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has been (1) __________ after what the US and Israel described as a large, continuing attack on Iran's leaders and armed forces. His death marks a major turn in a conflict that is expanding across the Middle East. The operation, called Operation Epic Fury by the US, followed weeks of (2) __________ from President Donald Trump. He had warned that he would order military action if Iran did not accept a new agreement on its nuclear program. Trump said the goal was to stop Iran from getting a nuclear (3) __________, although Iran has repeatedly said its nuclear work is peaceful. Trump also urged Iranian forces to lay down their arms and called on the public to rise against the government. Iran answered with missiles and (4) __________ aimed at US targets and allied countries in the region. The reported attacks reached Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. The fighting has also affected global oil markets. (5) __________ rose after at least three ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. In early trading in Asia on Monday, oil prices jumped by more than 10 percent before part of that rise faded later in the morning. Reliable information from inside Iran remains limited because the country is facing an almost total internet (6) __________. The Red Crescent said more than 200 people were killed and more than 700 were injured across Iran on Saturday. Officials also said at least 153 people died in an explosion at a school in southern Iran. Separate reports said around 40 Iranian (7) __________ were killed in the strikes, while Trump said nine Iranian navy ships were sunk and naval headquarters were destroyed.
True or False

Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.

  • Khamenei's death came during what the US and Israel described as a large, continuing attack.
    The article says he was killed after what the US and Israel described as a large, continuing attack.
  • Iran accepted a new agreement on its nuclear program before the operation began.
    The story says Trump had threatened military action if Iran did not accept a new agreement.
  • The article suggests that information from inside Iran is easy to confirm because internet access is normal.
    It says Iran is facing an almost total internet shutdown, so reliable information is limited.

True or False

1. Khamenei's death came during what the US and Israel described as a large, continuing attack. T / F

2. Iran accepted a new agreement on its nuclear program before the operation began. T / F

3. The article suggests that information from inside Iran is easy to confirm because internet access is normal. T / F

Put Events in Order

Put the events from the story in the correct order from first (1) to last (5):

  • ___ Iran answered with missiles and drones aimed at US targets and allied countries.
  • ___ Trump warned that he would order military action if Iran did not accept a new agreement.
  • ___ Oil prices jumped after ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz.
  • ___ The US and Israel carried out a large attack in which Khamenei was killed.
  • ___ Trump urged Iranian forces to lay down their arms and called on the public to rise up.

Multiple Choice

1. What reason did Trump give for the operation?

   A) To stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon

   B) To lower oil prices in Asia

   C) To reopen internet access in Iran

   D) To move ships away from the Strait of Hormuz

2. How did Iran respond, according to the article?

   A) It accepted a new agreement at once

   B) It fired missiles and drones at US targets and allied countries

   C) It stopped all military activity in the region

   D) It pulled ships away from the Gulf

3. What happened to oil prices in early trading in Asia on Monday?

   A) They stayed almost the same

   B) They slowly fell all morning

   C) They jumped by more than 10 percent before easing

   D) They closed after three ships were attacked

4. Why does the article say reliable information from inside Iran is limited?

   A) Because officials stopped giving interviews

   B) Because several allied countries blocked reports

   C) Because reporters left the region

   D) Because the country is facing an almost total internet shutdown

Words That Go Together

Loading vocabulary activity...

Words That Go Together

Match each word with the words it goes with:

1. Order

2. Accept

3. Get

4. Lay down

5. Face

6. Affect

7. Rise

8. Sink

a) navy ships

b) against the government

c) global oil markets

d) an internet shutdown

e) their arms

f) a nuclear weapon

g) a new agreement

h) military action

Discussion Builder

Discussion Builder

Choose the best phrase for each gap:

  1. Iran answered with missiles and drones aimed at US targets and allied countries in the region. ________ the conflict is no longer limited to one country.

    For example, / That's why, / But, / Also,

  2. Reliable information from inside Iran remains limited because the country is facing an almost total internet shutdown. ________ it is harder to check fast-changing reports.

    Still, / So, / For example, / Plus,

  3. Oil prices rose after at least three ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. ________ markets reacted to the wider risk in the region.

    However, / In addition, / For example, / Consequently,

Sentence Unscramble

  1. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

    A. are unclear. B. when reports C. that reliable information D. matters more E. is F. One reason

  2. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

    A. of B. wider fighting. C. more attacks, D. Compared with E. might reduce F. a new agreement G. the risk

  3. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

    A. if both sides B. this conflict C. keep striking. D. further E. but F. could spread G. I'm not completely sure,

Discussion Questions

  1. What part of this story seems most serious to you?
  2. Who is responsible for the current conflict in the Middle East?
  3. Why do you think the US and Israel targeted Iranian leaders?
  4. Do you expect the Iranian people to follow President Trump's suggestion to rise against the government?
  5. Trump says this action was necessary because Iran is dangerous. Do you agree?
  6. Iran said their nuclear work is peaceful. How accurate is that claim, in your opinion?
  7. Why do many people care about the price of oil?
  8. What do you think will happen to Iran in the near future?
  9. Long term, do you think Iran will be in a better or worse state?
  10. Why is it dangerous to rise against the government? Is it sometimes necessary?

Answers

Think Ahead: b

Listening: (1) killed, (2) threats, (3) weapon, (4) drones, (5) Prices, (6) shutdown, (7) officials

True or False:

  1. True. The article says he was killed after what the US and Israel described as a large, continuing attack.
  2. False. The story says Trump had threatened military action if Iran did not accept a new agreement.
  3. False. It says Iran is facing an almost total internet shutdown, so reliable information is limited.

Multiple Choice: A, B, C, D

Put Events in Order:

  1. Trump warned that he would order military action if Iran did not accept a new agreement.
  2. The US and Israel carried out a large attack in which Khamenei was killed.
  3. Trump urged Iranian forces to lay down their arms and called on the public to rise up.
  4. Iran answered with missiles and drones aimed at US targets and allied countries.
  5. Oil prices jumped after ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz.

Vocabulary:

  1. Order: military action
  2. Accept: a new agreement
  3. Get: a nuclear weapon
  4. Lay down: their arms
  1. Face: an internet shutdown
  2. Affect: global oil markets
  3. Rise: against the government
  4. Sink: navy ships

Discussion Builder:

Hints: 1) Result. 2) Result. 3) Result.

  1. That's why,
  2. So,
  3. Consequently,

Sentence Unscramble:

  1. One reason is that reliable information matters more when reports are unclear.
  2. Compared with more attacks, a new agreement might reduce the risk of wider fighting.
  3. I'm not completely sure, but this conflict could spread further if both sides keep striking.

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