Iran, World Powers Prepare for Nuclear Deal Talks

 

Foreign ministers from Iran and four other countries are set to hold talks Friday on the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

The ministers are to discuss how their countries can best support the deal following the withdrawal¹ of the United States.

Iranian state media reported on Tuesday that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will be in Vienna, Austria for the talks. It said he will meet with the foreign ministers of Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is also traveling to Switzerland and Austria this week as part of efforts to try to save the nuclear agreement. Rouhani has said he expects European countries to propose measures in the coming days to keep the deal alive.

Under the agreement, Iran promised to limit its uranium enrichment activities so that it could not create enough fuel for nuclear weapons. In exchange, billions of dollars of seized Iranian money was released, while many restrictions² on the country were ended.

U.S. President Donald Trump³ announced in May that the United States was withdrawing from the deal. He described the agreement as “very badly negotiated.” But all the other signatories to the nuclear deal say they still support it. They have expressed strong disappointment at the U.S. withdrawal.

On Monday, the Trump administration announced its plans to re-establish strong sanctions on Iran's energy and banking⁴ industries.

"Our goal is to increase pressure on the Iranian regime by reducing to zero its revenue on crude oil sales," said Director of Policy Planning Brian Hook. He added that U.S. officials are working to contain any problems that may affect the international energy market.

During a press conference at the State Department, Hook called on Iran to meet demands so it could be, what he termed, "normal country."

"Normal countries don't terrorize other nations…and impoverish⁵ their own people," Hook said. He added that the new U.S. policy is not about changing the Iranian government.

He noted⁶ the first part of U.S. sanctions will take effect in early August.

These measures will include targeting Iran's automobile⁷ industry, trade and some metals, including gold. He said the remaining U.S. sanctions will take effect in early November.

These sanctions will include targeting Iran's energy industry and petroleum⁸-related activities and activities involving the central bank of Iran.

The United States has warned other countries that they will also face sanctions if they continue to trade with sanctioned areas of the Iranian economy.

Hook said U.S. officials are traveling around the world meeting with American allies to try to persuade them to cooperate with the sanctions.

I'm Susan Shand.

Words in This Story

disappointment - n. the state or feeling of being disappointed

sanction - n. an action that is taken to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country

regime – n. administration or government

revenue - n. money that is made by or paid to a business or an organization

impoverish – v. to make someone poor

petroleum – n. an oily liquid that is found in many places near Earth’s surface

1 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

2 restrictions   

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 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。

4 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。

5 impoverish   

vt.使穷困，使贫困

参考例句：

• We need to reduce the burden of taxes that impoverish the economy.我们需要减轻导致经济困顿的税收负荷。
• America still has enough credibility to a more profitable path that would impoverish its creditors slowly.美国尚有足够的信用来让其得以选择一条更加有利可图的路径使它的债权人们渐渐贫困枯竭。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 automobile   

n.汽车，机动车

参考例句：

• He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
• The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。

8 petroleum   

n.原油，石油

参考例句：

• The Government of Iran advanced the price of petroleum last week.上星期伊朗政府提高了石油价格。
• The purpose of oil refinery is to refine crude petroleum.炼油厂的主要工作是提炼原油。