VOA慢速英语--特朗普警告伊朗:永远不要威胁美国

Trump¹ Warns Iranian President ‘Never Threaten the United States’

U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran risks serious consequences if it makes more threats against the United States.

Trump’s words were written in large letters as part of a Twitter message. It appeared on Twitter Sunday night.

It came hours after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told the American leader that hostile policies toward his country could lead to “the mother of all wars.”

While tensions between the countries have increased, both sides have reasons to want to avoid starting a conflict that could easily intensify².

Trump’s comments followed a series of speeches and communications meant to incite³ unrest in Iran. U.S. officials say the Trump administration wants to pressure Iran to end its nuclear program and its support of militant⁴ groups.

Iran has faced increased U.S. pressure and possible sanctions since May. That is when Trump announced his decision to withdraw the United States from a 2015 international agreement over Iran’s nuclear program.

In his message directed at Rouhani, Trump wrote: “Never, ever threaten the United States again or you will suffer consequences the likes of which few throughout history have ever suffered before. We are no longer a country that will stand for your demented words of violence & death.”

Earlier on Sunday, Rouhani had told Iranian diplomats⁵: “Mr. Trump, don’t play with the lion’s tail, this would only lead to regret.”

“America should know that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, and war with Iran is the mother of all wars,” Rouhani said. The Iranian state news agency IRNA reported his comments.

Rouhani left open the possibility of peace between the countries. But Iran’s most powerful leader, Supreme⁶ Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Saturday that negotiations⁷ with the United States would be a “mistake.”

Rouhani also made fun of Trump’s threat to stop Iranian oil exports. He said Iran has a leading position in the Gulf⁸ and the Strait of Hormuz, a major waterway for oil shipping⁹.

A commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reacted to Trump’s threats by saying his country would continue to resist its enemies. Iran’s Students news Agency ISNA reported his comments.

War of Words

Trump’s warning to Iran came hours after a speech by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Speaking in California, Pompeo described Iran’s religious leadership as a “mafia.” He also promised support for Iranians unhappy with their government.

Pompeo said that the government has become a nightmare for the Iranian people. He urged all U.S. allies to join in financially suppressing the government.

Iran reacted to Pompeo’s speech as interference in its affairs, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry¹⁰ spokesman said, "Such policies will unite Iranians who will overcome plots against their country.”

There is little interest among United States lawmakers for a conflict with Iran. U.S. officials note the difficulty the military faced in Iraq after its invasion in 2003. They also are concerned about the effect on the world economy of higher oil prices.

Many Iranians are worried that the war of words might lead to a conflict. But observers in Tehran told the Reuters news agency that the U.S. administration would not bring the country into another quagmire¹¹ in the Middle East.

I’m Ashley Thompson.

Words in This Story

consequence–n.something that happens as a result of an action or set of conditions

escalate¹² – v.to become worse

sanctions – n.an action to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country

demented – adj. not able to think clearly or to understand what is real and what is not real

quagmire – n.a situation that is full of problems

currency– n.the money used by a particular county

lion– n.a large cat

tail – n.the rear end of an animal

mafia– n.a secret criminal group

nightmare – n.a frightening dream

1 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

2 intensify   

vt.加强；变强；加剧

参考例句：

• We must intensify our educational work among our own troops.我们必须加强自己部队的教育工作。
• They were ordered to intensify their patrols to protect our air space.他们奉命加强巡逻，保卫我国的领空。

3 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。

4 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

5 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》

6 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

7 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。

8 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。

9 shipping   

n.船运（发货，运输，乘船）

参考例句：

• We struck a bargain with an American shipping firm.我们和一家美国船运公司谈成了一笔生意。
• There's a shipping charge of ￡5 added to the price.价格之外另加五英镑运输费。

10 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

11 quagmire   

n.沼地

参考例句：

• On their way was a quagmire which was difficult to get over.路上他俩遇到了—个泥坑,很难过得去。
• Rain had turned the grass into a quagmire.大雨使草地变得一片泥泞。

12 escalate   

v.(使)逐步增长(或发展)，(使)逐步升级

参考例句：

• It would tempt Israel's neighbors to escalate their demands.它将诱使以色列的邻国不断把他们的要求升级。
• Defeat could cause one side or other to escalate the conflict.失败可能会导致其中一方将冲突升级。