NewsTracker Answers for week of June 16, 2025

Q: Israel launched a series of air strikes last Friday on Iranian nuclear sites and killed several of the nation's top military leaders and atomic scientists. Iran and Israel traded missile and drone attacks throughout the weekend amid fears of all-out war in the Middle East. Where is Iran?

Circle the area on this map


Q: The conflict halted negotiations for the United States to end economic sanctions in return for Iran ending any attempt to build nuclear weapons. The two sides have been meeting in Muscat, the capital of what Persian Gulf nation?

A. Cyprus

B. Lebanon

C. Oman

D. Yemen


C. While most of Oman’s coastline is on the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman, it also controls the southern tip of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which separates the Arabian Peninsula from Iran. The strait is a choke-point for oil and goods flowing in and out of the Persian Gulf, also called the Arabian Gulf. Cyprus and Lebanon are on the Mediterranean Sea, and Yemen is on the Arabian and Red seas.


Q: Several of Israel’s missiles hit targets in Iran’s capital, including an oil refinery and a gasoline depot. What is the capital of Iran?

A. Ankara

B. Baku

C. Oman

D. Tehran


D. With a population of 9.8 million people, Tehran is Iran’s largest city and capital. Archaeological remains suggest that settlement in Tehran dates back over 6,000 years. It first became Iran’s capital in 1786. Ankara is the capital of Turkey, west of Iran. Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan, north of Iran. Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, east of Iran. In all, Iran has land borders with seven countries.


Q: Israeli leaders said they struck Iran because it is close to building nuclear weapons that would threaten Israel’s existence. Israel is believed to have 90 to 400 nuclear warheads, but it does not acknowledge it. Including Israel, how many nations are armed with nuclear weapons?

A. Seven

B. Nine

C. Eleven

D. Thirteen


B. The United States built the first nuclear weapons, followed by Russia, Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan, and North Korea. Israel is thought to have built its first nuclear weapon in 1965 or 1966. It is believed Israel can deliver the weapons from aircraft, submarines, and ground-based missiles. It has said repeatedly, “Israel will not be the first country to introduce nuclear weapons to the Middle East."


Q: The missiles and drones fired at Israel and Iran are traveling over which two countries?

A. Jordan and Iraq

B. Lebanon and Syria

C. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait


A. The U.S State Department issued security alerts last Friday for Jordan and Iraq, as well as the combatant nations, Iran and Israel. The department warned of missiles and drones flying through Iraqi and Jordanian airspace. "In the event of such an incident, seek overhead cover and shelter in place. Do not expose yourself to falling debris," it warned.