VOA慢速英语2015 关于伊朗核问题达成一项历史性协议

Historic Iran Nuclear Agreement Reached 关于伊朗核问题达成一项历史性协议

The United States and other world powers have reached a deal with Iran. Diplomats¹ say the deal will limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for an easing of economic restrictions² on the country.

In Washington, President Barack Obama praised the agreement. He said that, “this deal demonstrated that American diplomacy³ can bring about real and meaningful change.”

“Today because America negotiated from a position of strength and principle we have stopped the spread of nuclear weapons in this region. Because of this deal, the international community will be able to verify that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not develop a nuclear weapon.”

He spoke⁴ after the deal was announced Tuesday in Vienna. Negotiators spent weeks finalizing⁵ details of the agreement.

Reaction in Vienna

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini spoke to reporters in Vienna. She described the agreement as complex, detailed⁶ and technical. But she said it also was a “sign of hope” for the world.

“We know that this agreement will be subject to intense scrutiny⁷. But what we are announcing today is not only as deal, it is a good deal. And a good deal for all sides and the wider international community. This agreement opens new possibilities and a way forward to end a crisis that has lasted for more than 10 years.”

After her comments, Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif spoke to the same reporters in Persian. He said he was repeating what the EU official had just said in English.

Mr. Zarif called the deal a "win-win" for both Iran and the group known as P5+1. They are Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany.

The deal

The deal will limit Iran's possible development of nuclear weapons while enabling the country to keep its civil nuclear program. U.S. officials say this will be done, in part, by reducing the number of Iran’s modern centrifuges. These machines use centrifugal force to separate substances or parts of substances.

A main issue throughout the talks was international inspections⁸ of Iran’s nuclear areas. This was solved with the creation of a process that lets United Nations inspectors⁹ push for entry, but gives Iran the right to not immediately agree. Instead, Iran will have the right to dispute the UN request through negotiations¹⁰.

The deal continues an international ban on conventional arm sales to Iran for five more years, and a missile ban for eight years. But the bans could end earlier if the UN’s nuclear agency finds Iran has undone¹¹ any current work toward nuclear weapons. The Iranian government has repeatedly denied such work.

In exchange, the P5+1 countries agreed to lift economic sanctions on Iran as soon as it honors the requirements of the nuclear deal.

Possible barriers in the future

The agreement represents a historic compromise after a 12-year dispute between Iran and other countries. At times, the disagreement threatened to incite¹² a new conflict in the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the nuclear deal a "stunning¹³, historic mistake." He declared his country is “not bound by the international nuclear pact¹⁴ with Iran” and that Israel has the right to defend itself.

Israel is looking to pressure the U.S. Congress, where Republican lawmakers are opposing the deal.

Bob Corker is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He does not believe the deal will prevent Iran from “obtaining a nuclear weapon." 

Senator Corker said Congress will need to study the deal and decide whether supporting it is worth lifting sanctions that took years to establish.

To answer his critics at home and overseas, President Obama said,

“I am confident that this deal will meet the national security interest of the United States and our allies. So I will veto any legislation that prevents the successful implementation¹⁵ of this deal.”

Words in This Story

principle – n. a central truth or theory

verify – v. to confirm

scrutiny – n. detailed observation or examination

centrifugal – adj. moving away from a center

conventional – adj. common; used and accepted by most people

sanction(s) – n. economic actions against someone or something

1 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

3 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 finalizing   

vt.完成（finalize的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• You may edit registered information any time during the finalizing period. 您可以在规定期限内随时编辑修改注册资料。 来自互联网
• Natsun Trimming & Ironing, Finalizing the Perfection. 40南山整烫，完美在此定格。 来自互联网

6 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

7 scrutiny   

n.详细检查，仔细观察

参考例句：

• His work looks all right,but it will not bear scrutiny.他的工作似乎很好，但是经不起仔细检查。
• Few wives in their forties can weather such a scrutiny.很少年过四十的妻子经得起这么仔细的观察。

8 inspections   

n.检查( inspection的名词复数 )；检验；视察；检阅

参考例句：

• Regular inspections are carried out at the prison. 经常有人来视察这座监狱。
• Government inspections ensure a high degree of uniformity in the standard of service. 政府检查确保了在服务标准方面的高度一致。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 inspectors   

n.检查员( inspector的名词复数 )；（英国公共汽车或火车上的）查票员；（警察）巡官；检阅官

参考例句：

• They got into the school in the guise of inspectors. 他们假装成视察员进了学校。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Inspectors checked that there was adequate ventilation. 检查员已检查过，通风良好。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 negotiations   

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。

11 undone   

a.未做完的，未完成的

参考例句：

• He left nothing undone that needed attention.所有需要注意的事他都注意到了。

12 incite   

v.引起，激动，煽动

参考例句：

• I wanted to point out he was a very good speaker, and could incite a crowd.我想说明他曾是一个非常出色的演讲家，非常会调动群众的情绪。
• Just a few words will incite him into action.他只需几句话一将，就会干。

13 stunning   

adj.极好的；使人晕倒的

参考例句：

• His plays are distinguished only by their stunning mediocrity.他的戏剧与众不同之处就是平凡得出奇。
• The finished effect was absolutely stunning.完工后的效果非常美。

14 pact   

n.合同，条约，公约，协定

参考例句：

• The two opposition parties made an electoral pact.那两个反对党订了一个有关选举的协定。
• The trade pact between those two countries came to an end.那两国的通商协定宣告结束。

15 implementation   

n.实施，贯彻

参考例句：

• Implementation of the program is now well underway.这一项目的实施现在行情看好。