Listening. Current affairs

Middle East in turmoil after attacks on Iran 

2nd March 2026 

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.

 Sources:   theconversation.com  /  aljazeera.com  /  independent.co.uk 

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2603/260302-middle-east-turmoil-a.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cvgjnv2y90wo

1.     What were the targets of the missiles fired from Iran according to the sources?

2.    How is the conflict impacting global energy and shipping routes?

3.    What are the current social and political tensions inside Iran?

 

4.    How are neighboring Middle Eastern countries responding to the regional instability?

 

5.    How are shipping disruptions affecting global energy prices?

1.     What were the targets of the missiles fired from Iran according to the sources?

The missiles were aimed at US military bases located on the territory of several Middle Eastern countries: Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.

 

2.    How is the conflict impacting global energy and shipping routes?

The conflict is impacting global energy and shipping routes primarily by jeopardising traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical artery for the movement of global energy supplies.

The specific impacts identified in the sources include:

• Disruption of Marine Traffic: There have been significant changes to marine traffic within the strait since the US-Israel war with Iran broke out.
• Economic Fallout: Experts are examining the potential economic consequences resulting from these shipping disruptions.
• Regional Instability and Military Activity: The security of these routes is further threatened by military actions, as countries including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan have reported intercepting missiles fired from Iran. These missiles were reportedly aimed at US military bases located on the territory of these regional nations.

3.    What are the current social and political tensions inside Iran?

Current social and political tensions inside Iran are characterized by widespread anti-government protests, a severe crackdown by the regime, and deepening economic frustration.

·                Massive Nationwide Protests: Iran has experienced its largest protests in years, which initially erupted over economic issues and have since grown into a broader movement against the government. These demonstrations have seen protesters setting buildings on fire and chanting anti-government slogans in the capital, Tehran, and across the country.

·                Government Crackdown and Violence: The Iranian government has responded to these protests with "unprecedented force". Reports indicate a "deadly crackdown" has taken place, with BBC Verify examining mortuary footage showing scores of bodies. Additionally, the state has utilized internet shutdowns to suppress information during these periods of unrest.

·                Political Opposition to the Authoritarian Regime: There are active calls for the continuation of protests against what is described as an authoritarian regime. Figures such as Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah, have become prominent voices in this movement.

·                Human Rights and Legal Tensions: The regime has faced international condemnation for its judicial actions, including vowing to execute protesters. Furthermore, the detention of foreign nationals, such as a British woman and her husband sentenced to 10 years for espionage, highlights ongoing political friction between Iran and the West.

·                Regional Military Escalation: Beyond internal unrest, Iran is involved in significant regional conflict, having fired missiles at US military bases located in neighboring countries like Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. This military activity coincides with the broader US-Israel war with Iran, which poses a threat to global energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

 

4.    How are neighboring Middle Eastern countries responding to the regional instability?

Several neighboring Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, have responded to the regional instability by intercepting missiles fired from Iran. These missiles were reportedly targeted at US military bases located within the territories of these specific nations.

 

5.    How are shipping disruptions affecting global energy prices?

The sources indicate that shipping disruptions are creating significant concerns for the global economy because the Strait of Hormuz serves as a key artery for the movement of global energy supplies.

• Potential Economic Fallout: Experts, including BBC Verify, are currently examining the potential economic fallout resulting from the changes in marine traffic since the conflict began.
• Threat to Vital Supply Lines: The security of these energy routes is being jeopardized by the US-Israel war with Iran, which has led to a direct threat to the movement of goods through the strait.
• Regional Military Escalation: The risk to energy prices is heightened by military activity in the region, such as missiles fired from Iran at US military bases in neighboring countries like Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan

Listening practice: https://engexam.info/ielts-listening-practice-tests/ielts-listening-practice-test-12/3/