Middle East in turmoil after attacks on Iran
The Middle East is in turmoil after coordinated attacks by Israel and the USA on Iran on Saturday. Several Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, were bombarded with precision-guided missiles as Washington and Jerusalem attempted once and for all to obliterate Iran's nuclear capabilities. US President Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: "We're going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground." Trump called for the Iranian people to rise up and for government forces to surrender. He wrote: "This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country." The strikes on Tehran killed Iran's leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and key figures in Iran's military.
Iran immediately retaliated by launching missiles and drones on its neighbours, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it had struck Israeli and US military targets in the Middle East. It warned: "This operation will continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated." There are fears this escalation will create turmoil across the globe. A quarter of the world's oil and a third of its liquefied natural gas travel through the strategic Strait of Hormuz waterway, which Iran could close. This would cause sky-high oil prices and inflation worldwide. Experts warn there could be a major refugee crisis if the conflict spirals out of control.
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Talk about these words from the article.
The Middle East / turmoil / missiles / nuclear capabilities / industry / rise up / military / retaliate / neighbours / military targets / enemy / oil prices / inflation / refugee crisis
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Discussion
What do you know about Iran?
What do you think of the recent attacks on Iran?
How might the world change because of the attacks on Iran?
What needs to happen to resolve this crisis?
What do you think the Iranian people will do now?
What would happen if the US put boots on the ground?
How could this escalate over the next week or two?
What advice do you have for the Iranian people?
