A Chinese podcast · Same story, 4 levels
8:55
关于美以联合袭击伊朗及后续报复行动的最新情况
Latest on the US-Israel Strike on Iran and Tehran's Retaliation Under Khamenei and Trump
HSK 3 Chinese listening practice. Latest on the US-Israel strike on Iran — Khamenei's response, Trump's role, and what Tehran's retaliation means.
This is an HSK 3-4 Chinese listening episode that runs about 9 minutes. The full Mandarin script is shown with tap-for-pinyin and a line-by-line English translation, so you can listen and read at once — comprehensible input in the sense of Stephen Krashen's i+1 theory. It teaches 15 key vocabulary words such as 严重、复杂、获得 and walks through 6 grammar patterns, each explained in English with examples. The same news story is retold at 4 difficulty levels — use the level selector above to find the version that is challenging but still understandable for you.
Read the complete story in Chinese. Reveal pinyin and English only when you need them.
Speaking of the major event that just happened in the Middle East, the situation is indeed very serious and complex.
Just a few hours ago, there was news that shocked the whole world.
Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei passed away during a large-scale military operation by the United States and Israel.
This operation not only targeted Iran's military but also directly targeted their national leaders.
According to the information we currently have, US President Trump has confirmed this matter.
He said the main purpose of this operation was to ensure that Iran can never obtain nuclear weapons.
Trump also posted an eight-minute video on social media.
In the video, he said that the United States wants to completely destroy Iran's missile industry.
He also used very harsh words to warn the Iranian military, telling them they must lay down their weapons.
He said that if the Iranian military gives up resistance, they can obtain safety; otherwise, they will face death.
Not only that, but he also encouraged the Iranian people to stand up and overthrow the current government.
He feels this is the only opportunity for the Iranian people to change their country's destiny.
This military operation has a name, called "Epic Rage."
Before this, Trump had already been warning for several weeks.
He said if Iran did not agree to a new deal regarding the nuclear program, the United States would take action.
Although Iran has always explained that their nuclear activities are entirely for peaceful purposes, the United States and Israel do not believe it.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu also delivered a speech.
He said this operation was to eliminate the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime of Iran.
The Israeli military stated that they dispatched approximately two hundred fighter jets.
These planes simultaneously attacked many targets in western and central Iran.
They dropped hundreds of bombs, mainly striking missile systems and defense facilities.
Netanyahu later said on television that they had destroyed Khamenei's residence in central Tehran.
Subsequently, Iran's National Security Council also confirmed the news of Khamenei's passing.
For Iran, this is absolutely a huge blow.
Besides the Supreme Leader, many high-ranking Iranian officials also lost their lives in the attack.
According to intelligence sources, about forty Iranian officials were killed.
Among them were Iran's Minister of Defense and some commanders of the Revolutionary Guards.
However, Iranian President Pezeshkian is currently safe.
Although his office was also attacked, he later issued a statement indicating he was fine.
The situation inside Iran is now very chaotic.
Starting Saturday morning, explosions occurred in most parts of Iran.
According to local media reports, twenty-four out of Iran's thirty-one provinces were attacked.
In videos circulating on social media, we can see black smoke rising from many places, including the capital, Tehran.
Because of this attack, Iran's internet has been almost completely cut off.
This means it is very difficult for us to get accurate news from inside Iran.
This is like isolating Iran from the outside world.
Regarding the casualties, the current numbers make people feel very sad.
The Red Crescent Society stated that more than two hundred people have died and more than seven hundred have been injured nationwide.
What is most heartbreaking is that an explosion occurred at a school in southern Iran.
The local prosecutor said at least one hundred and eight people perished in that school.
Facing such a severe attack, the Iranian side also responded quickly.
Iran's Foreign Minister said this is a completely unjustified and illegal war.
He said Iran's military is ready to teach the attackers a lesson.
Consequently, Iran began launching ballistic missiles and drones at surrounding countries.
The targets of these attacks are mainly the United States' allies and assets in the region.
Countries under attack include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan.
Why attack these countries?
Because these countries all host US military bases.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards said they struck five major US military bases in the region.
For example, the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and the Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.
They also said that the US radar systems there had been completely destroyed.
Additionally, Iran launched about one hundred and fifty missiles at Israel.
Although Israel's air defense system intercepted some, some missiles still hit open ground.
The Israeli military said this retaliatory action caused the deaths of two Israelis and injuries to more than four hundred people.
Besides military confrontation, this conflict has also affected the global economy and transportation.
The Iranian side issued a warning saying they will not allow any ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
This is a very serious problem.
Everyone should know that about twenty percent of the world's oil and natural gas shipments must pass through this strait.
If this place is blockaded, global energy prices will definitely be hugely impacted.
In addition, this conflict has thrown the aviation industry into chaos.
This is the most severe disruption to global travel since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thousands upon thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed.
According to data from aviation analytics companies, of the more than four thousand flights scheduled to land on Saturday, nearly one thousand were canceled.
Many major airlines, like British Airways, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines, have suspended flights to this region.
Kuwait even announced a halt to all flights to Iran.
If you plan to travel to the Middle East recently, you will definitely encounter big trouble.
Many countries, including Iraq and Jordan, have closed their airspace.
This means planes cannot fly over these countries and must take detours or simply cannot fly.
Now the political question everyone is most concerned about is, who will take over Khamenei's position?
Although a temporary supreme leader has been appointed, the formal selection process is very complex.
According to Iranian law, the new supreme leader must be selected by a body called the "Assembly of Experts."
This body consists of eighty-eight senior religious figures.
But in the current situation where fighting is everywhere and it is very unsafe, it is almost impossible to organize these people to meet.
So, how Iran's future political situation will develop is still full of uncertainty.
Overall, this is not just a war between two countries.
It has already dragged the entire Middle East region into it.
US Central Command stated that their forces successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks.
They said there are currently no reports of American deaths, and damage to the bases is minimal.
However, the situation is still constantly changing.
New news could come out every minute.
We will continue to pay close attention to the development of this matter and will tell everyone as soon as there is new news.
This tense situation has made many people start worrying about whether a larger-scale war will break out.
Especially for ordinary people living in that region, life has become very dangerous.
Seeing news of schools being bombed and civilians being injured really makes people feel very heavy-hearted.
The international community is also discussing this matter now, but currently, there is no hope of a ceasefire in sight.
With the Strait of Hormuz potentially being blockaded, this is not just a Middle East problem; it will also affect everyone's life, such as oil prices and the cost of goods.
Therefore, no matter where you are in the world, this matter is worth your attention.
The next few hours are critical, and we need to see what actions both sides will take.
Especially since Iran has lost its supreme leader, their retaliation may become even more intense.
And since the United States and Israel have already started such a major operation, they are unlikely to stop immediately.
That is all the information we know at present.
Try it without the transcript and notice what sounds clearer.
Used to describe problems, illnesses, or situations that are critical or severe.
Describes situations or things that have many parts or are difficult to understand.
Formal way to say 'to get' or 'to acquire' something (like news, safety, or weapons).
To urge or spur someone on to do something.
Used to affirm that a statement is true.
Formal way of letting someone do something.
Used to emphasize an extreme case or example.
HSK 1-3. country.
Often implies a military attack or a sudden strike.
To completely ruin something, often buildings or military targets.
Action taken in return for an injury or offense.
To stop or catch something (like a missile or signal) before it reaches its destination.
To stop movement in or out of an area.
The air above a country that it controls.
A respectful or formal way to say someone died in a disaster or attack.
* beyond level超纲词
Not only... but also... (Used to connect two related clauses, indicating a progression or addition).
这次行动不仅针对伊朗的军队，还直接针对了他们的国家领导人。
不仅如此，他还鼓励伊朗的人民站出来，去推翻现在的政府。
In order to... / For the purpose of... (Indicates the goal of an action).
他说这次行动的主要目的，是为了保证伊朗永远不能获得核武器。
他说这次行动是为了消除伊朗这个恐怖政权带来的生存威胁。
If... then... (Standard conditional structure).
他说如果伊朗军队放弃抵抗，就可以获得安全。
如果这里被封锁了，全球的能源价格肯定会受到巨大的影响。
Besides... / In addition to... (Indicates inclusion).
除了最高领导人之外，还有很多伊朗的高级官员也在袭击中丧生了。
除了军事上的对抗，这次冲突还影响到了全球的经济和交通。
Passive voice marker. The object receives the action.
成千上万的航班被取消或者延误。
本来计划在星期六降落的四千多个航班里，有将近一千个被取消了。
Since... / Given that... (Used to state a premise and then draw a conclusion).
特别是伊朗既然失去了最高领导人，他们的报复可能会变得更加激烈。
而美国和以色列既然已经开始了这么大的行动，也不太可能马上停下来。
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