US and Iran Exchange Strikes as Ceasefire Breaks Down
World
July 9, 2026

US and Iran Exchange Strikes as Ceasefire Breaks Down

140 words · ~1 min read
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B1 Pre-Intermediate
0:000:54

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The United States and Iran attacked each other's military sites for a second night after US President Donald Trump said their ceasefire agreement had ended. The fighting happened near the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway important for shipping oil to many countries. The US military said it hit about 90 targets in Iran, including air defence and supply areas along the southern coast.

The main reason for the US strikes was to stop Iran from attacking ships and their crews moving through the Strait of Hormuz. Recently, three oil tankers were attacked in the area, and the US blamed Iran, though Iran denied it was responsible.

Because of the fighting, fewer ships are travelling through the Strait of Hormuz. Usually, about 130 ships pass through daily, but now only around 20 ships are using a route controlled by Iran.

Vocabulary

6 words
Accent
attackedV/əˈtækt/

tried to hurt or damage someone physically

ceasefireN/ˈsiːsˌfaɪər/

an agreement to stop fighting temporarily

militaryADJ/ˈmɪl.ɪ.təri/

related to soldiers or the armed forces

agreementN/əˈɡriː.mənt/

a formal decision between two or more groups

responsibleADJ/rɪˈspɒn.sə.bəl/

having caused or being to blame for something

routeN/ruːt/

the way or path to travel somewhere

Ready to learn these 6 words?

About 8 minutes · 5 activities

Reading Quizzes

9 questions
Question 1 of 9
1 / 9

What was the reason for the US military strikes in Iran?

Choose an answer to continue

Great for IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, IB, A-Level and everyday English speaking practice.

Speaking Tasks

5 questions

US and Iran Exchange Strikes as Ceasefire Breaks Down

July 9, 2026~1 min read
Not sure? Take the level test →
B1 Pre-Intermediate
0:000:54

Follow spoken words in real time.

The United States and Iran attacked each other's military sites for a second night after US President Donald Trump said their ceasefire agreement had ended. The fighting happened near the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway important for shipping oil to many countries. The US military said it hit about 90 targets in Iran, including air defence and supply areas along the southern coast.

The main reason for the US strikes was to stop Iran from attacking ships and their crews moving through the Strait of Hormuz. Recently, three oil tankers were attacked in the area, and the US blamed Iran, though Iran denied it was responsible.

Because of the fighting, fewer ships are travelling through the Strait of Hormuz. Usually, about 130 ships pass through daily, but now only around 20 ships are using a route controlled by Iran.

Vocabulary

6 words
Accent
attackedV/əˈtækt/

tried to hurt or damage someone physically

ceasefireN/ˈsiːsˌfaɪər/

an agreement to stop fighting temporarily

militaryADJ/ˈmɪl.ɪ.təri/

related to soldiers or the armed forces

agreementN/əˈɡriː.mənt/

a formal decision between two or more groups

responsibleADJ/rɪˈspɒn.sə.bəl/

having caused or being to blame for something

routeN/ruːt/

the way or path to travel somewhere

Ready to learn these 6 words?

About 8 minutes · 5 activities

Reading Quizzes

9 questions
Question 1 of 9
1 / 9

What was the reason for the US military strikes in Iran?

Choose an answer to continue

Great for IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, IB, A-Level and everyday English speaking practice.

Speaking Tasks

5 questions