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Iran's Islamic Republic Faces Protests

时间:2018-01-04 17:55:44

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Supporters of Iran’s government held demonstrations1 in cities across the country Wednesday following days of anti-government protests.

Iranian state television showed video of crowds waving Iranian flags and expressing support for Iran’s top leader.

Later in the day, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the anti-government protests were at an end. At least 21 people have died in the unrest over the past week.

Many of the anti-government protesters are angry about high unemployment and inflation. These conditions have continued even after the end of international sanctions in 2015. Those measures were designed to punish Iran for its nuclear activities.

In exchange for limits on its nuclear program, international powers cancelled trade restrictions2 and released billions of dollars of Iranian money.

But critics say the current president, Hassan Rouhani, has failed to use the money to improve the country’s economy.

Iran’s Supreme3 Leader, Ali Khamenei, blamed other governments for problems in the country.

“In recent days, enemies of Iran used different tools, including cash, weapons, politics and intelligence apparatus4 to create troubles for the Islamic Republic,” he said.

The Islamic Republic in Iran

Iran’s form of government is called an Islamic Republic. The republic is led by a president, who is directly elected by voters.

But in Iran, the position of Supreme Leader is above the president. The position is given to an Islamic scholar.

The Supreme Leader has power to appoint top government officials. They include commanders of the armed forces, the head of state radio and television, and members of national security councils.

The Supreme Leader also can make appointments to the Assembly of Experts. They form a group of experts who are knowledgeable5 in Islamic law, known as Sharia.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the second man to hold the position since Iran declared itself an Islamic Republic in 1979.

The first, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, took power during the Iranian revolution, which ousted6 the Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Khomeini ruled until his death in 1989.

The Supreme Leader can use his powers to design and supervise the general policies of the Islamic Republic. He can order special elections on important issues. He has powers over the armed forces. He can take command of the military or solve disputes between branches of the military.

In addition, the Supreme Leader has powers to approve election results, pardon or reduce sentences of people jailed for crimes and to approve the removal of a president.

In short, Iran’s Supreme Leader makes final decisions on the economy, environment, foreign policy, education, population growth and elections.

However, he is not directly elected.

The president of Iran is directly elected to a four-year term and is limited to two terms. However, he must answer to the Supreme Leader.

Rouhani is considered a moderate who supports improved ties with the West. He was elected to his second term in 2017. He follows Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who was considered a conservative.

Iran’s president leads the executive branch of government and can choose a cabinet with approval from parliament. He is deputy commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He also can declare emergencies or military rule.

The president also leads the National Security Council and the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution.

The Islamic Consultative Assembly is Iran’s lawmaking body. The assembly has 290 members. They can create propose and approve legislation so long as it is not in conflict with Islamic teachings. The Assembly can investigate issues affecting the nation and approve international treaties. It also can put questions to the president and hold a vote of confidence on the president’s election.

Reports note that the anti-government protests appear to be directed at Iran’s top leaders. Many of the protesters consider Rouhani corrupt7. They also blame the Supreme Leader for the country’s condition.

The protesters say Iran should spend less money in places like Syria and Lebanon. Instead, they want more done to create jobs, to improve the economy and to limit corruption8.

Some experts say women are taking part in the protests to call for equal rights.

I’m Ashley Thompson.

And I'm Mario Ritter.

Words in This Story

sanctions – n. measures taken against a country to cause it to obey international rules usually by limiting trade

apparatus – n. an organization or system that operates something or carries out a broad task

scholar – n. a person who has studied a subject for a long time and knows a lot about it

cash – n. ready money

branch – n. a part of a larger organization; an extension of a tree

executive – adj. of or relating to the direction of people of things

confidence – n. a feeling that you can do something well


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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 demonstrations 0922be6a2a3be4bdbebd28c620ab8f2d     
证明( demonstration的名词复数 ); 表明; 表达; 游行示威
参考例句:
  • Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
  • The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。
2 restrictions 81e12dac658cfd4c590486dd6f7523cf     
约束( restriction的名词复数 ); 管制; 制约因素; 带限制性的条件(或规则)
参考例句:
  • I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
  • a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制
3 supreme PHqzc     
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。
4 apparatus ivTzx     
n.装置,器械;器具,设备
参考例句:
  • The school's audio apparatus includes films and records.学校的视听设备包括放映机和录音机。
  • They had a very refined apparatus.他们有一套非常精良的设备。
5 knowledgeable m2Yxg     
adj.知识渊博的;有见识的
参考例句:
  • He's quite knowledgeable about the theatre.他对戏剧很有心得。
  • He made some knowledgeable remarks at the meeting.他在会上的发言颇有见地。
6 ousted 1c8f4f95f3bcc86657d7ec7543491ed6     
驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 ); 革职; 罢黜; 剥夺
参考例句:
  • He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
  • He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。
7 corrupt 4zTxn     
v.贿赂,收买;adj.腐败的,贪污的
参考例句:
  • The newspaper alleged the mayor's corrupt practices.那家报纸断言市长有舞弊行为。
  • This judge is corrupt.这个法官贪污。
8 corruption TzCxn     
n.腐败,堕落,贪污
参考例句:
  • The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
  • The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

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