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VOA标准英语2012--Tensions Rise as Iran is Hurt by Western Sanctions

时间：2012-01-21 02:24:31

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（单词翻译）

Tensions Rise as Iran is Hurt by Western Sanctions

Iranian war games in the Persian Gulf1 amid threats to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The United States and Europe tighten2 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, analysts4 say, that a military confrontation5 could be looming6.
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 embargo7 is essentially8 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. Treasury9 Secretary Timothy Geithner said, “And we are exploring ways to cut off the central bank from the international financial system and to reduce the earnings10 Iran derives11 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 analyst3 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 negotiations12 with Western powers, but analysts say all the heated rhetoric13 could poison diplomatic efforts.
Jamal Abdi of the National Iranian American Council said, “I see the sabre rattling14 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 intensify15 as sanctions continue to squeeze Iran’s economy.


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1 gulf 1e0xp     
n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂
参考例句：
  • 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。
2 tighten 9oYwI     
v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧
参考例句：
  • 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。
3 analyst gw7zn     
n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家
参考例句：
  • 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。
4 analysts 167ff30c5034ca70abe2d60a6e760448     
分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • 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。
5 confrontation xYHy7     
n.对抗，对峙，冲突
参考例句：
  • 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。
6 looming 1060bc05c0969cf209c57545a22ee156     
n.上现蜃景（光通过低层大气发生异常折射形成的一种海市蜃楼）v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的现在分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近
参考例句：
  • 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
7 embargo OqixW     
n.禁运（令）；vt.对...实行禁运，禁止（通商）
参考例句：
  • 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。
8 essentially nntxw     
adv.本质上，实质上，基本上
参考例句：
  • 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。
9 treasury 7GeyP     
n.宝库；国库，金库；文库
参考例句：
  • 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。
10 earnings rrWxJ     
n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得
参考例句：
  • 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%。
11 derives c6c3177a6f731a3d743ccd3c53f3f460     
v.得到( derive的第三人称单数 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取
参考例句：
  • 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》
12 negotiations af4b5f3e98e178dd3c4bac64b625ecd0     
协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过
参考例句：
  • 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。
13 rhetoric FCnzz     
n.修辞学，浮夸之言语
参考例句：
  • 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。
14 rattling 7b0e25ab43c3cc912945aafbb80e7dfd     
adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词
参考例句：
  • This book is a rattling good read. 这是一本非常好的读物。
  • At that same instant,a deafening explosion set the windows rattling. 正在这时，一声震耳欲聋的爆炸突然袭来，把窗玻璃震得当当地响。
15 intensify S5Pxe     
vt.加强；变强；加剧
参考例句：
  • We must intensify our educational work among our own troops.我们必须加强自己部队的教育工作。
  • They were ordered to intensify their patrols to protect our air space.他们奉命加强巡逻，保卫我国的领空。

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