What We Know About the U.S.’ Unprecedented Direct Attack on Iran
Ask students: What was the name of this U.S. military operation against Iran? Where did the U.S. bombers launch from?
Update: A fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel remains in place.
The Middle East stands at a pivot point after the Trump administration launched airstrikes on three of Iran’s largest nuclear sites on June 21. In response, Iran said the time for diplomacy is over and hinted at military retaliation against the United States.
View the transcript of the story.
Discussion Questions
- What was the name of this U.S. military operation against Iran?
- Where did the U.S. bombers launch from?
- Why did some planes fly east while others flew west?
- Which three locations in Iran did the U.S. military strike?
- How has Iran responded to U.S. military strikes in the past?
Focus Questions
- How does this news about the U.S. strike on Iran make you feel, and what questions does it raise for you?
- What else would you like to know about the history and relationship between Iran, Israel, and the United States? Where could you look to find this information?
- Media literacy: Why do you think PBS News Hour chose to show clips of important figures, such as the U.S. Secretary of Defense and Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, speaking directly rather than just having a reporter summarize their views? Why might hearing from these figures firsthand be important for viewer
Extension Activity
Watch the video below to learn more about how Iran might respond to this move from the United States. After watching, research the history of diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran. Additionally, analyze how diplomacy has been used to resolve other conflicts worldwide, and reflect on the potential for achieving peace through dialogue.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Want to see more stories like this one? Subscribe to the SML e-newsletter!
Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
Advertisement
