VOA标准英语2012--Tensions Rise as Iran is Hurt by Western Sanctions
时间:2019-01-13 作者:英语课 分类:VOA标准英语2012年(一月)
Tensions Rise as Iran is Hurt by Western Sanctions
Iranian war games in the Persian Gulf 1 amid threats to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The United States and Europe tighten 2 sanctions to choke off Iranian oil revenues. Iran begins enriching uranium at an underground plant, as one of its nuclear scientists is killed in a bomb attack.
All signs, analysts 4 say, that a military confrontation 5 could be looming 6.
International Institute of Strategic Studies expert Mark Fitzpatrick. “I think Iran is feeling under increasing pressure. It is feeling, probably for the first time, sanctions that do have a real bite," he said.
Iranian analysts say a possible oil embargo 7 is essentially 8 a declaration of war, and for the government to survive it will fight back.
Sadegh Zibakalam of Tehran University said, “The only natural weapon that Iran has is to block the Strait of Hormuz.”
U.S. military and diplomatic officials have warned that Iran will not be allowed to block the strait. Patrick Clawson of The Washington Institute said, “And if they were to do that, I do not know if they quite realize that they would be crossing an American red line and that there would be military conflict.”
The United States has been pressing allies in Asia to reduce the amount of oil imported from Iran, and President Barack Obama recently approved tough sanctions targeting Iran’s central bank to pressure Tehran to abandon its nuclear program.
U.S. Treasury 9 Secretary Timothy Geithner said, “And we are exploring ways to cut off the central bank from the international financial system and to reduce the earnings 10 Iran derives 11 from its oil exports.”
As a result, prices are up in Iranian markets as inflation has skyrocketed. Iran's currency is rapidly losing value.
The pressure is mounting, says analyst 3 Patrick Clawson. “Iran is finding itself in a much more difficult situation than when just the Americans were applying the pressure," he said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency says there is evidence Iran is researching the development and delivery of nuclear weapons. But Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Iran has signaled it is willing to reopen negotiations 12 with Western powers, but analysts say all the heated rhetoric 13 could poison diplomatic efforts.
Jamal Abdi of the National Iranian American Council said, “I see the sabre rattling 14 as reducing the space necessary on both sides to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.”
Iran’s nuclear program is expected to be the topic of a new round of talks between Tehran and Western nations in the coming months. Meanwhile, tensions intensify 15 as sanctions continue to squeeze Iran’s economy.
- The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
- There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。
- Turn the screw to the right to tighten it.向右转动螺钉把它拧紧。
- Some countries tighten monetary policy to avoid inflation.一些国家实行紧缩银根的货币政策,以避免通货膨胀。
- What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务?
- The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。
- City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
- I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。
- We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
- After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后,他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。
- The foothills were looming ahead through the haze. 丘陵地带透过薄雾朦胧地出现在眼前。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- Then they looked up. Looming above them was Mount Proteome. 接着他们往上看,在其上隐约看到的是蛋白质组山。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 回顾与展望
- This country put an oil embargo on an enemy country.该国对敌国实行石油禁运。
- During the war,they laid an embargo on commerce with enemy countries.在战争期间,他们禁止与敌国通商。
- Really great men are essentially modest.真正的伟人大都很谦虚。
- She is an essentially selfish person.她本质上是个自私自利的人。
- The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
- This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。
- That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
- Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。
- English derives in the main from the common Germanic stock. 英语主要源于日耳曼语系。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- He derives his income from freelance work. 他以自由职业获取收入。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
- Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。
- Do you know something about rhetoric?你懂点修辞学吗?
- Behind all the rhetoric,his relations with the army are dangerously poised.在冠冕堂皇的言辞背后,他和军队的关系岌岌可危。