奥巴马支持伊朗核协议

 　　President Barack Obama staunchly defended the historic deal that aims to restrain Tehran's nuclear development program Wednesday, saying it represents the world's best "means of ensuring Iran does not get a nuclear weapon."

　　Seeking to sell the Iran nuclear deal to skeptical¹ U.S. lawmakers and the American public, Obama insisted the landmark² agreement is also the best way to avoid a nuclear arms race and more war in the Middle East.

　　At the nationally televised White House news conference, the president repeated his conviction that the pact³ "cuts off every single path" for Iran to build a nuclear bomb, making the United States, its allies and the world "safer and more secure."

　　Obama Calls Out Critics of Iran Nuclear Accord

　　Review process

　　He said if the U.S., through the congressional review process, misses the chance to approve the deal, "history will judge us harshly," and that another opportunity to complete a deal with Iran "may not come in our lifetime."

　　Obama also called U.S.-led negotiations⁴ with Iran "a powerful display of American leadership," emphasizing the increased transparency the agreement entails⁵ on part of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors⁶, who would carry out the "largest inspection⁷ regime in history."

　　"Without a deal, the international sanctions regime will unravel⁸, with little ability to re-impose it," he said. "With this deal, we have the possibility to peacefully resolve a major threat to regional and international security."

　　Without a deal, Obama said there would have been a risk of more fighting in the Middle East, and that other countries in the region would feel compelled to pursue their own nuclear programs "in the most volatile⁹ region in the world."

　　While the U.S. cannot control regional conflicts in the Middle East, he said the United States can work with its Mideast allies to provide support for educational programs that help improve the plight¹⁰ of impoverished¹¹, poorly educated youths, so that they will be less open to Islamic State appeals to them to join insurgents¹² in their fight against the West.

　　Rebutting¹³ complaints

　　Obama answered some questions about U.S. domestic issues, but at one point pleaded for more Iran questions from reporters, in hopes of rebutting other complaints about the deal, to "make sure no stone is left unturned."

　　"If you listen to some of the critics of this deal, you'd think Iran was going to take over the world," he said, insisting that is not the case.

　　Obama said that even if Iran eventually decides to build a nuclear weapon after 10 or 15 years of international monitoring, the U.S. "would still be in position" to mobilize other countries against Tehran's efforts.

　　"It is incumbent¹⁴" on critics, he said, to say how a future U.S. president would be in a worse position with regard to Iranian nuclear intentions if the deal is not implemented¹⁵.

　　Staunch opposition¹⁶

　　After Iran and six world powers sealed an accord in Vienna on Tuesday, White House officials reiterated¹⁷ their long-held belief that robust¹⁸ debate over the deal would – and should – follow in Congress, where it faces wide opposition from Republican lawmakers and Republican presidential contenders seeking to replace Obama when his second term concludes in 2017.

　　He called the contention¹⁹ by some opponents that Iran should have no nuclear capability²⁰, not even for peaceful purposes, unrealistic.

　　The president also said he does not anticipate that Republicans in Congress will rally around the nuclear pact, but said that if lawmakers vote based on the facts the majority of them should approve the deal.

　　"The world does not agree that Iran can't have a peaceful nuclear program," he said, adding that the United States and other countries have joined in forcing constraints²¹ on any development of an Iranian nuclear weapon.

　　There "will be real consequences" for Iran if it violates terms of the deal, he said, including reintroduction of economic sanctions that will end if Tehran adheres to the deal it agreed to after months of negotiations with Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia and the U.S.

　　Eradicating²² the prospect²³ of nuclear weapons in Iran is something Obama has repeatedly described as an objective shared by international and domestic entities²⁴ alike, including Democratic and Republican members of Congress.

　　The agreement, which represents the biggest step toward rapprochement between Iran and the West since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, is also perceived as a political triumph for Obama, who has made outreach to America's enemies a hallmark of his presidency²⁵.

　　It is also seen as his biggest foreign policy gamble since taking office in 2009.

　　Americans held in Iran

　　Obama said the United States is continuing to pressure Iran to release three Americans being held by Tehran, including Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, former Marine²⁶ Amir Hekmati, Christian²⁷ pastor²⁸ Saeed Abedini and ex-FBI Agent Robert Levinson, whose whereabouts in Iran remains²⁹ unknown.

　　Some critics of the Iran deal said the president should not have agreed to it without the return of the four to the United States.

　　Obama said the U.S. did not include the status of the jailed Americans in the nuclear talks because it would have made it more difficult to walk away from a deal the U.S. did not like. He also said he didn't want to encourage Iran to use the prisoners as leverage³⁰ in the talks.

　　Securing support

　　Kicking off what is expected to be a lengthy³¹ campaign to lock in political support for the historic deal, Vice³² President Joseph Biden arrived at Congress shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday for a closed-door meeting to brief minority Democrats³³ in the House of Representatives.

　　One lawmaker quoted Biden as saying that "nothing in this agreement takes the military option off the table" for an attack against Iran if it violates the deal and starts building a nuclear weapon.

　　Another said the vice president contended that "the entire sanctions regime" that has been imposed against Iran to pressure it to complete a deal "would crumble³⁴" if the pact negotiated by the United States and five other world powers is not implemented.

　　Once Congress is handed the formal agreement, it has 60 days to consider whether to reject it, and even it does, Obama has promised to veto such legislation. If that were to happen, both houses of Congress would then have to produce a two-thirds majority to override³⁵ the president's veto.

　　One vocal Republican opponent of the deal, Senator John McCain, who lost the 2008 presidential election to Obama, acknowledged to VOA that it "is likely" that the deal will eventually be approved

1 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

2 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

3 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。

4 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。

5 entails   

使…成为必要( entail的第三人称单数 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需

参考例句：

• The job entails a lot of hard work. 这工作需要十分艰苦的努力。
• This job entails a lot of hard work. 这项工作需要十分努力。

6 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》

7 inspection   

n.检查，审查，检阅

参考例句：

• On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。
• The soldiers lined up for their daily inspection by their officers.士兵们列队接受军官的日常检阅。

8 unravel   

v.弄清楚（秘密）；拆开，解开，松开

参考例句：

• He was good with his hands and could unravel a knot or untangle yarn that others wouldn't even attempt.他的手很灵巧，其他人甚至都不敢尝试的一些难解的绳结或缠在一起的纱线，他都能解开。
• This is the attitude that led him to unravel a mystery that long puzzled Chinese historians.正是这种态度使他解决了长期以来使中国历史学家们大惑不解的谜。

9 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

10 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。

11 impoverished   

adj.穷困的，无力的，用尽了的v.使（某人）贫穷( impoverish的过去式和过去分词 )；使（某物）贫瘠或恶化

参考例句：

• the impoverished areas of the city 这个城市的贫民区
• They were impoverished by a prolonged spell of unemployment. 他们因长期失业而一贫如洗。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

13 rebutting   

v.反驳，驳回( rebut的现在分词 )；击退

参考例句：

• The union countered with letters rebutting the company's claims. 工会写信驳回了公司的要求。 来自辞典例句

14 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。

15 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

16 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

17 reiterated   

反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• "Well, I want to know about it,'she reiterated. “嗯，我一定要知道你的休假日期，"她重复说。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• Some twenty-two years later President Polk reiterated and elaborated upon these principles. 大约二十二年之后，波尔克总统重申这些原则并且刻意阐释一番。

18 robust   

adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的

参考例句：

• She is too tall and robust.她个子太高，身体太壮。
• China wants to keep growth robust to reduce poverty and avoid job losses,AP commented.美联社评论道，中国希望保持经济强势增长，以减少贫困和失业状况。

19 contention   

n.争论，争辩，论战；论点，主张

参考例句：

• The pay increase is the key point of contention. 加薪是争论的焦点。
• The real bone of contention,as you know,is money.你知道，争论的真正焦点是钱的问题。

20 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

21 constraints   

强制( constraint的名词复数 )； 限制； 约束

参考例句：

• Data and constraints can easily be changed to test theories. 信息库中的数据和限制条件可以轻易地改变以检验假设。 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史
• What are the constraints that each of these imply for any design? 这每种产品的要求和约束对于设计意味着什么？ 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

22 eradicating   

摧毁，完全根除( eradicate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Objective: To study the acute and chronic toxicity of Ten-flavor-acne eradicating-capsule. 目的：探讨复方中药合剂十味平痤胶囊的急性及慢性毒性。
• We are on the verge of eradicating polio in the world. 我们已在世界消除小儿？痹症的边缘了。

23 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

24 entities   

实体对像； 实体，独立存在体，实际存在物( entity的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Our newspaper and our printing business form separate corporate entities. 我们的报纸和印刷业形成相对独立的企业实体。
• The North American continent is made up of three great structural entities. 北美大陆是由三个构造单元组成的。

25 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

26 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

27 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

28 pastor   

n.牧师，牧人

参考例句：

• He was the son of a poor pastor.他是一个穷牧师的儿子。
• We have no pastor at present:the church is run by five deacons.我们目前没有牧师：教会的事是由五位执事管理的。

29 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

30 leverage   

n.力量，影响；杠杆作用，杠杆的力量

参考例句：

• We'll have to use leverage to move this huge rock.我们不得不借助杠杆之力来移动这块巨石。
• He failed in the project because he could gain no leverage. 因为他没有影响力，他的计划失败了。

31 lengthy   

adj.漫长的，冗长的

参考例句：

• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
• The professor wrote a lengthy book on Napoleon.教授写了一部有关拿破仑的巨著。

32 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

33 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

34 crumble   

vi.碎裂，崩溃；vt.弄碎，摧毁

参考例句：

• Opposition more or less crumbled away.反对势力差不多都瓦解了。
• Even if the seas go dry and rocks crumble,my will will remain firm.纵然海枯石烂，意志永不动摇。

35 override   

vt.不顾，不理睬，否决；压倒，优先于

参考例句：

• The welfare of a child should always override the wishes of its parents.孩子的幸福安康应该永远比父母的愿望来得更重要。
• I'm applying in advance for the authority to override him.我提前申请当局对他进行否决。