Shadowing Practice: How Iran’s Leader Was Killed - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
161 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
It's roughly 6 a .m in Israel.
2
A series of fighter jets takes off, armed with long -range high -precision missiles.
3
According to CIA and Israeli intelligence, a significant portion of Iran's leadership has gathered here, in a compound in Tehran.
4
Among them, Ayatollah Ali Harmony, the country's supreme leader.
5
Two hours and five minutes after the jets took off, Israeli missiles strike the compound.
6
This is how the Israeli and U .S attacks on Iran unfolded, how the country's leader was killed, and what has happened since.
7
By the time this video is published, new details might have emerged.
8
The US, Israel and Iran have a long history of tensions.
9
Until 1979, Iran was an authoritarian monarchy ruled by Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi.
10
He was supported by the US.
11
When his regime was overthrown in the Iranian revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini took control of the country and founded the Islamic Republic.
12
He was determined to transform Iran into a country ruled by Islamic law.
13
Khomeini abandoned the former Shah's pro -Western stance.
14
The U .S and its close ally Israel were declared sworn enemies.
15
Especially the opposition of Israel became a strategic and ideological goal.
16
Ruhollah Khomeini died in 1989 and was succeeded by Ali Khamenei, a cleric who quickly rose through the ranks and had become a key figure in the religious leadership of the country.
17
Over time, Iran, Israel and the U .S repeatedly engaged in conflicts.
18
Sanctions were imposed onto Iran.
19
Iran became a key financier of anti -Israeli militias in the region.
20
In 2002, it was uncovered that Iran was enriching uranium at two secret locations.
21
The enriched uranium could be used for nuclear reactors or nuclear weapons, a fear the US and its allies had had for a while already.
22
Iran has repeatedly denied its alleged pursuit of nukes.
23
The US and Israel ran many attempts to stop the nuclear program.
24
Through cyber attacks, the assassination of key scientists, and especially in the US's case, through diplomacy.
25
In 2015, the Obama administration and the Iranian regime agreed to a nuclear deal.
26
This is a good day, because once again we're seeing what's possible with strong American diplomacy.
27
Under the nuclear deal that we, our allies and partners, reached with Iran last year, Iran will not get its hands on a nuclear bomb.
28
However, in 2018, President Trump pulled out of the deal.
29
The fact is, this was a horrible one -sided deal that should have never, ever been made.
30
Ever since, relations have tensed up.
31
In 2025, in the midst of new negotiations, Israel and the US launched a series of airstrikes on Iran using bunker buster bombs.
32
Three Iranian nuclear sites were heavily damaged.
33
In the same year, Iran plummeted further into an economic crisis.
34
The currency crashed, food prices soared, people grew frustrated it.
35
By the end of 2025, mass demonstrations erupted across the country.
36
Peaceful protesters and rioters called for the end of the Islamic Republic.
37
Trump called for an uprising of the Iranian people against their government, saying help is on its way.
38
But the regime brutally cracked down on the protests.
39
It shut down the internet across the country.
40
For days, little to no news made it out.
41
In the end, thousands of people were killed.
42
50 ,000 reportedly got arrested.
43
The U .S began to build up troops in the region, with Trump repeatedly threatening Iran.
44
On Thursday, February 26, there was a last -ditch diplomatic effort between the two countries in Geneva. To no avail.
45
Saturday, February 28, around 9 .40 a .m in Tehran, Iran's capital.
46
This government compound is not far from Huer Square.
47
It reportedly houses offices of the Iranian presidency, Iran's National Security Council, and the supreme leader. Since 2025,
48
the US has apparently gained specific insights how Ayatollah Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps communicate and move while under pressure.
49
Reportedly, the CIA has tracked Khamenei for months.
50
They've mapped his whereabouts and studied his patterns.
51
They're confident he's here today.
52
And they learned of a meeting of top Iranian officials on site.
53
The U .S and Israel originally intended to strike at night under the cover of darkness.
54
But they reportedly moved their time of attack.
55
This opportunity was too good to miss.
56
Suddenly, Israeli missiles hit the buildings.
57
During impact, several national security officials are in one of them.
58
Supreme Leader Khamenei reportedly in another.
59
Afterwards, satellite imagery shows heavy damage to the buildings.
60
Black smoke is rising.
61
Geo -confirmed footage recorded here also shows massive amounts of smoke in the area of the compound.
62
A picture taken here, too.
63
Ali Hosseini Khamenei died in the attack.
64
Also killed Suyit Abdora -i Muzavi, chief of staff of Iran's armed forces.
65
Ali Shamkani, head of the National Defense Council.
66
Muhammad Pakpur, commander -in -chief of the IRGC.
67
Aziz Nazer Zadeh, defense minister.
68
According to Israeli news, a total of 30 senior Iranian officials were killed in just half a minute in the opening strike.
69
The operation was dubbed Roaring Lion in Israel and Epic Fury in the U .S.
70
It has been planned for months.
71
Massoud Pesachian, president of Iran, however, survived.
72
Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, vowed Iran would fight back and assured continuity of governance.
73
The strike on the government compound was just one part of the operation.
74
Afterwards, Israel reportedly take out Iran's air defenses, especially around Tehran.
75
In a third wave, Israel deploys roughly 200 fighter jets, bringing much of its air force into Iran.
76
The goal is reportedly to destroy as many Iranian missiles as possible, as fast as possible.
77
The US reportedly joins in about 30 minutes after the attack on Iran's leadership.
78
According to the New York Times, their attacks focus primarily on targets in eastern Iran, far away from Israel.
79
They also attack the Iranian fleet.
80
Reportedly, U .S warships fire Tomahawk cruise missiles at Iranian targets.
81
American ground forces use artillery rocket systems.
82
Several military and command centers in Tehran are hit by Israeli airstrikes.
83
Further explosions are reported in Iranian cities across the country.
84
Trump releases a video officially announcing the military operation and urges the Iranian people to take over their government.
85
When we are finished, take over your government.
86
It will be yours to take.
87
Netanyahu later does the same.
88
Shortly after their announcement, an airstrike hits the Sarajeh Tayyibi Elementary Girls School in Minab, Khormorsgan province.
89
Iranian state media and officials claim that at least 175 people got killed, most of them likely children.
90
These numbers have not yet been confirmed independently.
91
According to the New York Times, the school is adjacent to an Iranian naval base.
92
U .S.
93
Central Command announced an investigation into the strike.
94
Iran launches Operation True Promise 4 and the retaliatory strikes begin.
95
Countless missiles are fired at dozens of sites across the Middle East.
96
More than 200 missiles are launched at Israel alone.
97
In solidarity with Iran, the Houthis in Yemen announced that they will resume attacking shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
98
This effectively ends a three -and -a -half -month pause following the 2025 Gaza ceasefire.
99
The US -led coalition reportedly intercepts several drones and missiles heading towards Erbil in the Kurdistan region of Iraq with no casualties.
100
Multiple news outlets later report explosions near Erbil International Airport where US soldiers are stationed.
101
That afternoon, Dubai International Airport is hit with an Iranian drone, striking Terminal 3 and effectively closing UAE airspace.
102
Several luxury hotels like the Burj Al Arab and Fairmont de Palme are set on fire.
103
It's unclear whether this was the result of a direct attack or if the fires were caused by debris from intercepted missiles.
104
But the UAE isn't the only country targeted by Iran.
105
In Bahrain, missile and drone attacks hit the US Navy 5th Fleet headquarters.
106
Footage shows what appears to be an Iranian Shah had drone striking a tower block roughly 20 minutes from the facility.
107
In Qatar, the Ministry of Interior reports 66 ballistic missiles were fired at the country.
108
The debris reportedly injured at least eight people.
109
In Saudi Arabia, the Prince Sultan Air Base is targeted by ballistic missiles, which are reportedly successfully intercepted.
110
In Jordan, the military reports that it has intercepted and downed 49 drones and ballistic missiles, likely headed for the major U .S military bases across the country.
111
In Kuwait, Iranian drones strike two passenger terminals of the Kuwait International Airport.
112
In Syria, debris from an Iranian missile kills at least four civilians while injuring several others.
113
Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia announced that they reserve the right to respond.
114
The Arab League condemns Iran's attacks.
115
Following the blanket strikes by Iran, NATO senior command set its missile defense systems in Europe and its early warning radar in Turkey are on alert.
116
Some experts warn that Iran may activate sleeper cells in Europe and North America.
117
There are many more events and details we can't cover in this video, as attacks continue back and forth, so let's zoom out a bit.
118
The US's involvement in the attacks is controversial.
119
On Truth Social, Trump said this.
120
Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.
121
Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas.
122
and our allies throughout the world.
123
It's an argument for a war of necessity.
124
An attack was looming across the sea, so the U .S had to strike preemptively.
125
But it's unclear how Iran's activities directly endangered the United States.
126
Iran was apparently years away from obtaining a nuclear weapon, according to the U .S.'s own intelligence.
127
The country's ballistic missile arsenal is estimated to reach no more than 3 ,000 kilometers, a threat to neighboring countries, but not to the US.
128
Iran might have been attacked because it was in a uniquely weak position, as a type of preventive measure.
129
This might make this a war of choice, not one of necessity.
130
These preventive wars are often condemned internationally, not only because they're optional.
131
Because if every nation went out to strike adversaries who they thought were temporarily weak, we would live in a world of constant war.
132
According to international law, a war of choice would be illegal.
133
There are also discussions whether the attack was in violation of the US Constitution.
134
Trump started the war without congressional approval.
135
Across the US and parts of the world, protests erupted.
136
Partly against the Iranian regime, partly against American involvement in the war.
137
Oil prices have risen sharply.
138
Experts warn of an impending global energy crisis because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
139
In Iran, people celebrate the death of Ayatollah Khamenei.
140
Others are grieving.
141
At this point, it remains unclear who will succeed them.
142
For now, the regime formed a provisional government.
143
It seems set on revenge and continues to strike Israeli and US bases.
144
The exact number of deaths is hard to determine at this point.
145
According to the US military, so far, three American soldiers have been killed, with five seriously injured.
146
According to Al Jazeera, ten people have been killed in Israel, 3 in the UAE, 1 in Bahrain,
147
1 in Kuwait, 13 in Lebanon and 2 in Iraq.
148
The Iranian Red Crescent has reported that since the attacks at least 555 people have been killed with hundreds injured.
149
According to the Times of Israel, these numbers do not differentiate between military and civilians.
150
The situation is likely to escalate further in the upcoming days.
151
Timely reporting like this is incredibly resource intensive.
152
It's only possible thanks to today's sponsor Hansen Shaving.
153
We're grateful they're supporting our work.
154
Many men experience razor burn, ingrown hairs or skin irritation when shaving.
155
Hansen approached the problem from an engineering perspective, researching what actually makes a shave more precise and skin friendly.
156
The result is a sleek, long -lasting aluminum razor designed for accuracy.
157
The blade sits at a 30 degree angle and extends just 0 .0013 inches past the shave plane, less than the thickness of a human hair.
158
That precise blade support reduces flex, which can mean less irritation and a smoother, more controlled shave.
159
We are genuinely big fans.
160
To support the channel and get started, visit hensonshaving .com slash fern tv
161
and use code fern tv at checkout to get a free pack of 100 blades with the purchase of a razor.
Download App
Everything you need to speak fluently
AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
Same Channel
B22
The Only Nazi Hitler Feared
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
The Hunt for the Charlie Kirk Shooter
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
Hitler's Insane Train
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
How Were the Pyramids Actually Built?
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
C12
The Mutated Animals of Chernobyl
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
C11
The Dirty Business Behind Caffeine
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B22
The Death of Educational Content on YouTube
Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B2The Hunt for America's Smartest Killer
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B2The Unsolved Murder in Room 1046
University StudentsWorking Adults
B2The World's Deadliest Child
IELTS PrepTOEFL PrepHigh School Students
FOR YOU
Recommend Video
B22
80 sentences
Iran preps for Khamenei’s funeral; Olympian charged in Reflecting Pool vandalism | Unbiased Updates
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B2517 sentences
The Israeli Flight Hijacking Doesn't Make Sense
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
21 sentences
US launches new retaliatory strikes on Iran after attack on US forces
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
167 sentences
How Every Infamous Dictator Died
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
17 sentences
Is North Korea’s Leader Dead?
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B228 sentences
Iran Rising | Max Amini
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
24 sentences
Trump 'secretly switched planes via catering truck' amid Iran threat | Deconstructed
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
18 sentences
#Chewata-3 #IELTS #obama vs #Trump 25 October 2023
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
44 sentences
CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ HEIST | HOW A LETTER CAUSED $1 BILLION HEIST| #heist #robbery #documentary
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B26
15 sentences
Dozens of Nukes Are Missing. Why? HOW?
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
167 sentences
How Every US War Ended
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “How Iran’s Leader Was Killed”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: Iran, Iranian, missile, Israel, attack. This video has 161 sentences and 2036 words to shadow. The speech runs for 13:41. The speaker talks at a steady 149 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. Only 74% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| missile noun | /ˈmɪs.aɪl/ | Any object used as a weapon by being thrown or fired through the air, such as stone, arrow or bullet. |
| reportedly adverb | /ɹɪˈpɔːtɪdli/ | According to reports or rumors. |
| regime noun | /ɹəˈʒiːm/ | Mode of rule or management. |
| drone noun | /dɹoʊn/ | A male hymenopteran (ant, bee, hornet, or wasp), whose sole primary function is to mate with the queen. |
| compound noun | /ˈkɑmpaʊnd/ | Anything made by combining several things. |
| shave verb | /ˈʃeɪ̯v/ | To make (the head, skin etc.) bald or (the hair) shorter by using a tool such as a razor or electric clippers to cut the hair close to the skin. |
| roughly adverb | /ˈɹʌf.li/ | In a rough manner; without kindness, softness, or gentleness. |
| jet noun | /ˈd͡ʒɛt/ | A collimated stream, spurt or flow of liquid or gas from a pressurized container, an engine, etc. |
| repeatedly adverb | /ɹɪˈpiːtɪdli/ | Done several times or in repetition. |
| blade noun | /bleɪd/ | The (typically sharp-edged) part of a knife, sword, razor, or other tool with which it cuts. |
| ally noun | /ˈæl.aɪ/ | A person who co-operates with or helps another; an associate; a friend. |
| unclear adjective | /ʌnˈklɪɚ/ | Ambiguous; liable to more than one interpretation. |
| debris noun | /ˈdɛbɹi/ | Rubble, wreckage, scattered remains of something destroyed. |
| razor noun | /ˈɹeɪzɚ/ | A keen-edged knife of peculiar shape, used in shaving the hair from the face or other parts of the body. |
| intercept verb | /ɪntɚˈsɛpt/ | To stop, deflect or divert (something in progress or motion). |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| take off verb | To remove. | |
| take over verb | To assume control of something, such as a business or enterprise, and sometimes by force. | |
| build up verb | To erect; to construct. | |
| fight back verb | /faɪt bæk/ | To defend oneself by fighting. |
| shut down verb | To close, terminate, or end; to stop operating, either permanently or temporarily. | |
| take out verb | To remove. | |
| zoom out verb | /ˌzuːm ˈaʊt/ | To decrease the focal length of a zoom lens in order to obtain a reduced magnification of the image, or a wider-angle view. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | has gathered · has happened · have tensed |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | was killed · is published · was supported |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | missiles, which are · flex, which can |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 8 contractions and reduced forms, such as they're, we're, can't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: gather /ˈɡæðɚ/, threaten /ˈθɹɛt.n̩/, thickness /ˈθɪknəs/, authoritarian /əˌθɑ.ɹəˈtɛɹ.i.ən/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: regime /ɹəˈʒiːm/, shave /ˈʃeɪ̯v/, explosion /ɛkˈsploʊ.ʒən/, shortly /ˈʃɔɹtli/, luxury /ˈlʌk.ʃə.ɹi/
- Long words — get the stress right: reportedly /ɹɪˈpɔːtɪdli/, repeatedly /ɹɪˈpiːtɪdli/, necessity /nɪˈsɛsəti/, uranium /ˌjuː.ˈɹeɪ.ni.əm/, diplomacy /dɪˈpləʊməsi/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like missile, reportedly, regime.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.