VOA常速英语2013--美以关系因伊朗核问题而紧张（在线收听）

Tensions Escalate Between US, Israel Over Iran Nuclear Talks 美以关系因伊朗核问题而紧张

The U.S. alliance with Israel is being strained by deep disagreements over a possible deal with Iran regarding that country’s controversial nuclear program. 

It was just eight months ago that President Barack Obama visited Israel.  It was the first foreign trip of his second term - designed to improve relations with Israeli  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which have been stressed over the Palestinian conflict.

就在8个月前，巴拉克·奥巴马总统刚访问过以色列。这是他第二任期的首次对外出访，这是为了改善与以色列总理本杰明·内塔尼亚胡的关系而来，两人关系因巴勒斯坦冲突而紧张。

But now the two men are at serious odds again - this time over nuclear negotiations with Iran.

现在两人的关系再度紧张，这次是因为伊朗的核谈判。

Benjamin Netanyahu:

本杰明·内塔尼亚胡：

"It's clear that this agreement is good only for Iran, and that it's really bad for the rest of the world.  Iran's dream deal is the world's nightmare," he said.

“很明显协议只对伊朗有好处，而对全世界其他国家都是坏处。伊朗梦寐以求的交易就是全世界的噩梦。”

Israel is concerned Iran is too close to building a bomb - and wants its nuclear capabilities rolled back. Iran says its program is peaceful, and the U.S. is pressing  international diplomacy to resolve the dispute.

以色列担心伊朗很快就能制造核弹，因此希望削弱其核武器的能力。伊朗称其项目是和平的，美国正利用国际外交施压来解决这一争议。

Dennis Ross, a former senior advisor on Iran to President Obama, sees merits in Israel's position.

丹尼斯·罗斯是总统奥巴马的前伊朗问题高级顾问，他看到以色列立场的价值。

“Even if you are slowing the clock or freezing it, you are freezing it at a level that basically is unacceptable.  Because that level would allow the Iranians to have  a break out capability and you are not reversing the program," said Ross.

“即使是放慢或冻结这个项目，其冻结的程度也基本上是不可接受的。因为这个程度会使得伊朗获得突破能力，而你却无法扭转这个项目。”

The U.S. stance has also angered another key ally in the region: Saudi Arabia.  In what analysts see as an unprecedented development, Israel and many Sunni Arab  nations are aligned in their concerns about Iran.

美国的立场也令该地区的另一位关键盟友沙特愤怒，以色列和沙特阿拉伯国家集体对伊朗表示担忧，分析家认为这是前所未有的进展。

Adam Ereli, a Middle East expert and former U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain, says this puts the U.S. in a delicate position.

艾瑞里是中东问题专家，也是前美国驻巴林大使，他说这使得美国处于微妙的位置。

“Let’s not forget our close and steadfast and important allies in the region who not only rely on us, but who we rely on for our national security," said Ereli.

“不要忘了我们在该地区亲密、坚定的重要盟友，它们不仅依赖我们，我们在国家安全方面也依赖它们。”

Israel has threatened to bomb Iran if it gets too close to making a nuclear weapon, despite U.S. efforts to tone down the harsh rhetoric.  Analysts don’t believe  Israel will attack during negotiations between world powers and Iran.

如果伊朗很快就能制造核武器，以色列威胁要轰炸伊朗，而不顾美国试图缓和严厉言辞的努力。分析家认为伊朗会在世界大国和伊朗协商期间发动袭击。

But analyst Robert Satloff says Israel's impatience is growing.

但分析家罗伯特·沙特罗夫说以色列越来越不耐烦。

“I think the likelihood of Israeli military action against Iran has gone way up," said Satloff.

“我认为以色列对伊朗采取军事行动的可能性在上升。”

Satloff says the current Israeli government feels it has been left out in the cold.

沙特罗夫说目前以色列政府认为自己遭受冷落。

That could have a negative impact on the Middle East peace process, which the U.S. is spearheading.

这会对美国领导下的中东和平进程造成负面影响。

“And that is because the crisis of confidence between the United States and Israel will have an impact on this diplomacy," said Satloff.

“这是因为美国和以色列之间的信任危机会影响外交。”

Looking away from the U.S., Netanyahu has met with the Presidents of France and Russia to appeal for tough terms on a nuclear accord with Iran.

内塔尼亚胡将美国抛到一边，会见了法国和俄罗斯总统，呼吁在伊朗核协议中采取强硬措施。

Despite the deep disagreements with Netanyahu., Secretary of State John Kerry says the Obama administration will not let down its key ally.

尽管非常不认同内塔尼亚胡的做法，国务卿约翰·克里说奥巴马政府不会令盟友失望。

“We believe deeply in our commitment to Israel, deeply, " said Kerry.

“我们十分相信对以色列的承诺。”

Kerry says the United States will not accept any deal that allows Iran to buy time to increase its nuclear capability and further threaten Israel.

克里说美国不会接受任何允许伊朗有时间加强核能力和未来会威胁以色列的协议。