ENS

Level-graded English lessons with reading, listening, activities, and discussion.

Lesson Info

Type
Article
Level
4 / B2
Published
Title
US and Israel Strike Iran
Webpage
https://eslnewsstories.com/articles/2026-03-02-us-and-israel-strike-iran/

Lesson Content

Warm-up, Vocab List, Reading and Audio

Understanding: True or False, Put Events in Order, Multiple Choice

Language: Words That Go Together

Use It: Discussion Builder, Sentence Unscramble, Discussion Questions

Answers

Think Ahead: Which development is most likely to appear in this story?

a) A quick peace deal that immediately calms the region

b) A regional response that raises market and security concerns

c) A complete halt to military activity within one day

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

Ask: (1) What do you know about Iran? (2) How can people solve conflicts without violence?

Vocab List

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

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.

US and Israel Strike Iran

Level 4 Article Source: bbc.com
Warm-up → or → 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.

Speaker: British Male  Duration: 2:01  YouTube

Listen Closely

Listen and Fill Gaps

Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com 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.

Listen and Fill Gaps

Loading listening activity...

Discussion Builder

  1. Q: What part of this story seems most serious to you?

    A:
Use It

Discussion Builder

Choose the best phrase for each gap:

  1. Q: What part of this story seems most serious to you?

    A: To me, is that the conflict could spread to more countries.

    the most serious part / the biggest surprise / the main result / the clearest example

    To me, the most serious part is that the conflict could spread to more countries.

  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,

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

  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,

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

Sentence Unscramble

Sentence Unscramble

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

    One reason is that reliable information matters more when reports are unclear.

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

    Compared with more attacks, a new agreement might reduce the risk of wider fighting.

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

    I'm not completely sure, but this conflict could spread further if both sides keep striking.

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?

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 US and Israel Strike Iran / Level 4

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, a, c, c

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) Opinion. 2) Result. 3) Result.

  1. the most serious part
  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.

eslnewsstories.com