1. Define the following as used in the article:

• humanitarian aid (from para. 1)
• allay (para. 2)
• novice (para. 4)
• coreligionists (para. 6)
• allegation (para. 7)
• divert (pra. 9)
• reiterated (para. 13)

PLEASE NOTE: Daily posting and “Answers” emails will end for the school year on Friday, May 29th.

2. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

3. a) Why did the U.S. ask Iran to bring its ship to the UN hub in Djibouti? Be specific.
b) Why did Iran refuse to do so?

4. What threat/warning did Iran make after the U.S. request? Be specific.

5. a) What has the Saudi government accused Iran of doing?
b) How did Iran respond to this accusation?

6. A reader commented on the article:
“Just another example of how Iran has no desire to be truly a part of the civilized international community. Here is a perfect opportunity to deliver humanitarian aid to the UN depot, like others are doing. The Iranians, for some reason, don't want to participate like the rest of the world. The obvious conclusion is that Iran doesn't want anyone to see the cargo, because, perhaps it isn't really humanitarian aid, as they claim. Iran has a bad habit of lying and defying international standards.”
Iran is a member of the UN.
The purpose of the U.N. (from its website) is “to bring all nations of the world together to work for peace and development, based on the principles of justice, human dignity and the well-being of all people.”
a) Do you think the UN should request (or demand) that Iran, as a member state, work with the UN aid hub? Explain your answer.
b) Do you think the UN is effective (doing the best it can) in carrying out its stated purpose, or is it irrelevant and/or inept? Explain your answer.