Should the West stay out of Middle Eastern wars? The US joined Israel’s bombing of Iran at the weekend and then, this morning, it declared a ceasefire.
Trump vows to ‘Make Iran Great Again’
Anger: Iranians are protesting against Israeli and American bombing, which has killed more than 400 people in less than two weeks. Glossary
Middle East - The lands around the east of the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia.
GMT - Short for Greenwich Mean Time
Donald Trump - An American politician, media personality, and businessman serving as the 47th president of the United States since January 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.
Iran - A country in Western Asia, officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has a population of 84 million.
Ally - A person or group that cooperates with or supports another for a common purpose.
Israel - A country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land.
Sovereign - When a nation is independent and self-governing.
Iraq War - A long conflict that ran in Iraq from 2003 to 2011. It began with a US invasion to topple ruler Saddam Hussein.
George W Bush - The president of the USA between 2001 and 2009. His victory in 2000 was controversial: he lost the popular vote and many believe he only won the election because the Supreme Court halted a recount of ballots in Florida.
Iraq - A country in the Middle East with a population of 43.5m.
Hillary Clinton - An American Democrat politician, diplomat and former First Lady. She ran to be US president in 2016, but was beaten by Donald Trump.
Tony Blair - Tony Blair was the leader of the Labour party. He was British prime minister from 1997 to 2007.
Civilian - A person who is not in the armed services or the police force.
Benjamin Netanyahu - The prime minister of Israel.
Civil war - A war between people from the same country.
Nuclear - A nuclear weapon has a devastating potential to cause damage. A few countries around the world have them.
Quagmire - A complex and hazardous situation — literally, an area of boggy land that gives way when you step on it.