VOA标准英语2012--US: Iran Keeping Open Option to Develop Nuclear Weapons

US: Iran Keeping Open Option to Develop Nuclear Weapons

Concern continues to mount over Iran’s nuclear program, as tensions between Western nations and Tehran are escalating¹.
Tehran says its nuclear plants are used for peaceful energy production. But the International Atomic Energy Agency cites evidence Iran is researching the development and delivery of nuclear weapons.
“They are certainly moving on that path, but we do not believe they have actually made the decision to go ahead with a nuclear weapon," said U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.
In recent months, Iran has begun enriching uranium at an underground plant. Maseh Zarif of the American Enterprise Institute conducted an analysis of the country’s enrichment program that shows it would not take long to build a bomb.
“By about early summer 2012 they would have a large enough stockpile of 20 percent enriched uranium with which they could produce fuel for one nuclear weapon in about 2.5 months," said Zarif.
An estimate by the Israeli military says Iran could make four atomic bombs by further enriching uranium it has already stockpiled.
Iran has the largest inventory² of ballistic missiles in the Middle East and U.S. intelligence officials say it would likely use a missile to deliver a nuclear weapon.
"I have come to believe that Iran's leaders are not going to give up their push for a nuclear weapons capability³, unless they believe it is going to cost them their hold on power," said Ron Wyden, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Intelligence officials say there is now an increasing threat that Iran could conduct attacks on U.S. interests overseas or even on American soil.
Top Iranian officials were allegedly involved in last year’s failed plot to assassinate⁴ the Saudi ambassador to the United States by bombing a Washington restaurant.
“It shows me they are becoming increasingly aggressive, that they are willing to absorb more risk and that they are willing to bring the fight here," said analyst⁵ Maseh Zarif.
Iran’s central bank has been slapped with tough new U.S. sanctions and the European Union has agreed to embargo⁶ Iranian oil by July 1.
The country’s currency is rapidly losing value, forcing up prices in Iranian markets. The pressure is on, says CIA Director David Petraeus.
“The overall situation is one in which the sanctions have been biting much, much more literally⁷ in recent weeks than they have until this time," he said.
Iranian officials have reacted by threatening to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a move the U.S. says would not be allowed to stand.
Another sign, analysts⁸ say, a military confrontation⁹ could be looming¹⁰.

1 escalating   

v.（使）逐步升级( escalate的现在分词 )；（使）逐步扩大；（使）更高；（使）更大

参考例句：

• The cost of living is escalating. 生活费用在迅速上涨。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The cost of living is escalating in the country. 这个国家的生活费用在上涨。 来自辞典例句

2 inventory   

n.详细目录，存货清单

参考例句：

• Some stores inventory their stock once a week.有些商店每周清点存货一次。
• We will need to call on our supplier to get more inventory.我们必须请供应商送来更多存货。

3 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。

4 assassinate   

vt.暗杀，行刺，中伤

参考例句：

• The police exposed a criminal plot to assassinate the president.警方侦破了一个行刺总统的阴谋。
• A plot to assassinate the banker has been uncovered by the police.暗杀银行家的密谋被警方侦破了。

5 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

6 embargo   

n.禁运（令）；vt.对...实行禁运，禁止（通商）

参考例句：

• This country put an oil embargo on an enemy country.该国对敌国实行石油禁运。
• During the war,they laid an embargo on commerce with enemy countries.在战争期间，他们禁止与敌国通商。

7 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。

8 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

9 confrontation   

n.对抗，对峙，冲突

参考例句：

• We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
• After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后，他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。

10 looming   

n.上现蜃景（光通过低层大气发生异常折射形成的一种海市蜃楼）v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的现在分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近

参考例句：

• The foothills were looming ahead through the haze. 丘陵地带透过薄雾朦胧地出现在眼前。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Then they looked up. Looming above them was Mount Proteome. 接着他们往上看，在其上隐约看到的是蛋白质组山。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 回顾与展望