NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?

SUMMARY

Iran is bracing for global sanctions over its nuclear program to go back in place after the U.N. Security Council rejected a last-ditch effort to delay them. PBS Frontline correspondent Sebastian Walker conducted an exclusive interview with Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, ahead of the decision. John Yang speaks with Walker about his takeaways from the interview.

View the transcript of the story.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

Key terms

economic sanctions — restrictions on buying and selling to countries as a way to pressure those countries into changing behaviors

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. What have been some of the effects of past sanctions on Iran's economy?
2. Why is the U.N. Security Council imposing sanctions on Iran?
3. How will new sanctions impact Iran?
4. Who is Ali Larijani, and what does he say Iran will do in response to sanctions?
5. When did the United States bomb Iran's nuclear facilities, and what evidence is there that the bombing set back Iran's program?

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

• Do you think sanctions can be an effective way to pressure individual countries to change behavior? What evidence helps support your opinion one way or another?
• Other than through sanctions, how do you think international diplomatic bodies like the United Nations might work to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons?

Media literacy: Who else would you want to hear from to better understand how and why countries across the globe have joined together to try and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO

Teachers: Use this resource from the CFR Education to discuss the U.N. General Assembly with your students: "Why You Should Teach About the UN General Assembly." You can check out other resources from the Council on Foreign Relations here.

Students: Just how important is the United Nations, and how do officials from countries around the world use the forum to shape world events? As individual students, choose one of the stories below from the recent U.N. General Assembly in New York. As you watch, think how you could answer the following questions:

• How are leaders of individual countries using the United Nations to advance their interests?
• How are countries working together through the U.N. to try to change the behavior of other countries?

Finland's president says Putin should be worried after Trump's shift on Ukraine territory

Netanyahu vows to press ahead in Gaza as U.N. delegates walk out in protest

(Note: The headlined story ends at the 2:21 mark)

Al-Sharaa promises a new Syria free of its 'wretched past'

Fill out this form to receive our weekly newsletter or share your thoughts on Classroom’s resources.