VOA常速英语2016--伊朗舰队高调挑衅美国

伊朗舰队高调挑衅美国

The United States helps to ensure the free flow of commerce through, among other areas, the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf¹ to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Approximately 20 percent the world’s oil –- vital to the global economy -- passes through the Strait.

美国助力确保具有重要战略意义的霍尔木兹海峡可进行自由的商贸流动。霍尔木兹海峡与波斯湾相连，最终通向阿曼湾与阿拉伯海。全球近20%的原油——对全球经济有至关重要的作用——要通过霍尔木兹海峡运输。

Recently, there were several incidents of harassment² of U.S. Navy vessels³ in the Gulf by Iran, and these irresponsible actions by Iranian naval⁴ forces are causing concern.

近来有几起伊朗进犯位于波斯湾美国海军舰队的事件，伊朗海军舰队的不负责行为引起了多方关注。

At a press briefing, Army General Joseph Votel, head of U.S. Central Command, warned that such episodes have the potential for dangerous escalation⁵. He himself, he said, personally witnessed an instance in July, when the USS New Orleans was transiting⁶ the Strait of Hormuz:

在新闻发布会上，美国中央司令部大将约瑟夫警告说，这样的系列行为可能会导致今后升级的危险行为。他表示，7月份新奥尔良号穿越霍尔木兹海峡时，他本人就亲眼目睹了一个类似事件的发生。

An IRGC, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps⁷ missile ship and three fast-attack crafts demonstrated aggressive behavior in the vicinity of our ship. In recent days, we have witnessed even more provocative⁸ activity by the IRGC and navy vessels. That type of behavior is very concerning and we hope to see Iran’s naval forces act in a more professional manner.

伊朗革命卫队（IRGC）以及三艘快速攻击艇在我方舰队附近叫嚣进犯。近日，我方还目睹了其他挑衅性行为。这种挑衅行为令人极为担忧，我们希望伊朗海军舰队行事风格更为专业。

General Votel said no other country does what Iran does in the Gulf:

约瑟夫表示，波斯湾还未有其他国家有过伊朗一样的作为。

They don’t go out and they don’t drive fast boats towards military vessels out there in the same way that they do. Nobody else does that.

其他国家并未像伊朗一样越过自己的地盘，并驾驶快艇开向其他国家的海军舰队。从未有其他国家有如此的行为。

General Votel praised U.S. naval forces for their measured response to Iran’s harassment, but he warned that such behavior is dangerous, and called on Iran to be “professional” and act in a responsible manner.

约瑟夫赞扬美国海军舰队面对伊朗进犯所表现的沉着冷静，但他警示说，伊朗这样的行为很危险，并呼吁伊朗“专业化”一点，以负责任的方式行事。

 

The problem has been created by the attempt on the part of Iran’s leaders “to exert their influence and authority,” General Votel said. This “is not about the Iranian people,” he added. “It’s about the Iranian regime and their desire to continue to do these types of things that stoke instability -- or attempt to stoke instability -- in the region.”

约瑟夫表示，“问题皆因部分伊朗领导人意图‘向当局施加压力’所起”。他补充说，这“无关伊朗人民，而与伊朗政权及其继续破坏地区稳定的想法有关”。

1 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。

2 harassment   

n.骚扰，扰乱，烦恼，烦乱

参考例句：

• She often got telephone harassment at night these days.这些天她经常在夜晚受到电话骚扰。
• The company prohibits any form of harassment.公司禁止任何形式的骚扰行为。

3 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

4 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

5 escalation   

n.扩大，增加

参考例句：

• The threat of nuclear escalation remains. 核升级的威胁仍旧存在。 来自辞典例句
• Escalation is thus an aspect of deterrence and of crisis management. 因此逐步升级是威慑和危机处理的一个方面。 来自辞典例句

6 transiting   

通过（transit的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• The effect of the transiting mechanic required reserve system vehicle is low. 准备金制度的传导机制的作用是很低的。
• I was busy transiting to the telescope. 我正忙着旋转望远镜。

7 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• 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。

8 provocative   

adj.挑衅的，煽动的，刺激的，挑逗的

参考例句：

• She wore a very provocative dress.她穿了一件非常性感的裙子。
• His provocative words only fueled the argument further.他的挑衅性讲话只能使争论进一步激化。