“互换”囚犯后美国对伊朗实施了新的制裁

AS IT IS 2016-01-18 After Prisoner Exchange with Iran, US Imposes Limited Sanctions “互换”囚犯后美国对伊朗实施了新的制裁

A day after lifting economic sanctions against Iran for meeting the terms of the nuclear agreement, the U.S. announced new, limited sanctions against several Iranian citizens and companies for helping¹ Iran’s ballistic missile program.

The new sanctions were announced shortly after a plane carrying Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and two other American citizens, freed in a prisoner exchange, arrived in Switzerland.

On Saturday, the U.S. released or dropped charges against seven Iranians either convicted or accused of helping Iran avoid the longstanding sanctions in exchange for Iran’s release of five Americans.

The exchange came after the United Nations nuclear agency confirmed that Iran had met the conditions of an agreement it signed last July after two years of negotiations² to limit its nuclear activities.

Under the agreement, Iran moved almost all of its nuclear fuel out of the country, destroyed and removed its nuclear equipment and gave international inspectors³ greater access to its nuclear facilities. 

Shortly after the announcement that Iran had met the terms of the agreement, the United States and other world powers lifted oil and economic sanctions. They had severely⁴ damaged the Iranian economy.

On Sunday, President Barack Obama said that “strong American diplomacy” led to the end of sanctions and the release of American prisoners held by Iran.

Also on Sunday, the U.S. Treasury⁵ Department announced the new sanctions on five individuals and several companies.

The president said last year’s nuclear agreement “was never intended to resolve all of our differences with Iran. We will continue to enforce these (new) sanctions vigorously. We are going to remain vigilant⁶ about it.”

Earlier on Sunday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech to the Iranian people that the country had entered a “new chapter” in its history.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed the nuclear agreement since it was announced. Saturday, after the UN said Iran had met the terms of the agreement, he warned that Iran has not ended “its ambition to obtain nuclear weapons, and continues to act to destabilize the Middle East and spread terror throughout the world.” 

Many of President Obama’s political opponents also criticized the end of the sanctions.

Words in This Story

sanction – n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc. (usually plural)

condition – n. something that you must do or accept in order for something to happen

access – n. permission or the right to enter, get near, or make use of something or to have contact with someone (usually + to)

vigorous – adj. done with great force and energy

vigilant – adj. carefully noticing problems or signs of danger

1 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

2 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。

3 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》

4 severely   

adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地

参考例句：

• He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
• He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。

5 treasury   

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。

6 vigilant   

adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的

参考例句：

• He has to learn how to remain vigilant through these long nights.他得学会如何在这漫长的黑夜里保持警觉。
• The dog kept a vigilant guard over the house.这只狗警醒地守护着这所房屋。