# Discussion Questions: U.S.–Iran Agreement and the Strait of Hormuz

**Article summary:** The United States and Iran have reached an agreement to end their armed conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though deep disagreements over Iran's nuclear program and regional tensions involving Israel leave the deal's future uncertain.

## Discussion Questions

1. Do you follow international news regularly, or do you prefer to focus on local news? Why?
2. Have you ever felt worried about rising prices — for example, for fuel or food? What did you do?
3. How do you feel when countries that have been fighting finally agree to stop — are you hopeful, or skeptical?
4. Do you think it is fair for a country to close an important international waterway during a conflict? Why or why not?
5. If you were a leader trying to end a conflict between two countries, what would be the first thing you would focus on?
6. In your country, how do people generally react when the government takes military action abroad — do they support it, or question it?
7. Do you think economic pressure — like high oil prices or sanctions — is an effective way to change another country's behavior? Why or why not?
8. How important do you think it is for countries to follow international law, even when they believe their own actions are justified?
9. Some people argue that a country has the right to take military action to stop another country from developing nuclear weapons, even without international approval. Do you agree?
10. If you had to choose between a peace agreement that leaves dangerous issues unresolved and continued conflict with no clear end, which would you prioritize — and why?

## Vocabulary Spotlight

- **hostilities**: acts of war or violent conflict between countries or groups
- **blockade**: a military action that stops ships, goods, or people from entering or leaving a place
- **sanctions**: official economic punishments that one country places on another to change its behavior
- **restraint**: the choice to hold back from taking forceful or extreme action
- **enriched**: (of uranium) processed to increase the concentration of material that can be used in nuclear reactions