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Attack on Iran Consulate in Syria Escalates Conflict in Middle East

April 3, 2024

Attack on Iran Consulate in Syria Escalates Conflict in Middle East

Ask students: Where did the attack described in this story take place? What role did the Iranian generals killed in the attack allegedly serve in Syria and Lebanon?

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Summary

There is an escalation of tension in the Middle East. On Monday, warplanes attacked a building inside Iran's consulate complex in Damascus, Syria. Some of the most senior members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard were killed. Iran blames Israel for the strikes. Now there are reports of new attacks on international ships in the Red Sea and a base in southern Israel. Nick Schifrin reports.

View the transcript of the story.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

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Warm-Up Questions

  1. Where did the attack described in this story take place?
  2. Who is known to have been killed in the attack?
  3. What role did the Iranian generals killed in the attack allegedly serve in Syria and Lebanon?
  4. How has Iran responded to the attack?
  5. Why does the U.S. not want Israel to launch a ground operation into Rafah, according to this story? (Note: Air strikes have killed many civilians in Rafah already.)

Focus Questions

What do you think would be the consequences for the U.S. if a larger war begins between Israel and its neighbors? What about citizens of the countries in the region?

Media literacy: Who would you want to hear from to better understand the consequences of Israel's attack in Syria?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to find out more about?

For More

What students can do: On April 1, Israeli drones targeted a convoy of aid workers delivering food to Gaza as part of the World Central Kitchen, a non-profit started by chef José Andrés. Read this article and discuss — what do you think will be the consequences of this bombing for Israel, the people living in Gaza and international relationships?

A drone view of Palestinians gathering on a beach in the hope of getting aid air-dropped over Gaza is seen, amid the ongoing the conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip February 26, 2024. REUTERS/Amjad Abu Sharia
A drone view of Palestinians gathering on a beach in the hope of getting aid air-dropped over Gaza is seen, amid the ongoing the conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip February 26, 2024. REUTERS/Amjad Abu Sharia

Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.

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