AS IT IS 2016-01-20 Iran Glad for Sanction Relief, But Wary of US（在线收听）

AS IT IS 2016-01-20 Iran Glad for Sanction Relief, But Wary of US

Iran says it welcomes the easing of economic sanctions, but will remain wary of the United States.

Monday, Iran's Defense Minister called the U.S. sanctions “hostile” toward Iran.

The U.S. imposed the new sanctions Sunday against five Iranian nationals and a network of companies with links to banned missile activity. The U.S. Treasury Department said five Iranians worked to get missile parts for Iran. Companies in the United Arab Emirates and China also were involved.

Iran drew anger from the United States and other Western powers last year when Iran tested two ballistic missiles. Iran defended the tests as a matter of national security.

President Barack Obama said the U.S. government will “vigorously” enforce sanctions against Iran’s ballistic missile program.

The new sanctions come after economic sanctions were lifted which were tied to Iran’s nuclear program.

Following the lifting of the sanctions, Iran announced an increase in oil production by 500,000 barrels a day. Iran currently produced 3 million barrels per day. About 1 million of the barrels are exported.

Words in This Story

network - n. a group of people or organizations that work with each other; a system of computers and other devices that are connected to each other

matter - n. something that is being done or talked about

wary - adj. not having or showing complete trust in someone or something

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

ballistic missile – n. a weapon that is shot through the sky over a great distance and then falls to the ground and explodes

vigorously – adv. done with great force and energy