VOA标准英语2012--Iran Threat to Close Strait Could Hurt Economic Recovery

Iran Threat to Close Strait Could Hurt Economic Recovery

Nearly one-fifth of the world's traded oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, much of it destined¹ for Asian and European nations.
Lucian Pugliaresi at the Energy Policy Research Foundation says any attempt to block the shipping² route could send oil markets into a frenzy³. "If there were an action by Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, we would probably see an initial spike⁴ of oil prices, who knows, $40, $50, $60 a barrel," he said.
With fuel demand rising in China and other emerging nations, the severity and length of higher fuel prices would depend largely on how long the Strait remained closed, and whether other oil producing countries stepped in to fill the demand.
"The real issue here is that we are part of a highly integrated world oil market and that a disruption in any place in the world causes consequences everywhere in the world," said Pugliaresi.
The latest round of European sanctions includes freezing Iranian assets and banning its oil imports to Europe. Iranian lawmakers responded Monday by renewing threats to shut down the strategic route.
Many Western analysts⁵ believe Iran is bluffing⁶, but Pugliaresi is not so sure. Oil accounts for 80 percent of Iran's foreign revenue, about 2 million barrels of oil per day. "Once you close the Strait of Hormuz and then once you take action to open it up, there's no telling what the Iranians might do. They may engage in a lot of what's called asymmetric⁷ responses, which could add to a lot of turmoil⁸ in the Middle East," said Pugliaresi.
The United States has warned it will not allow Iran to close the Strait. However, the threat of a blockade has already sent U.S. gasoline prices to a 12-month high.
Pugliaresi says instability in many of the world's largest oil producing nations is adding to economic uncertainty⁹ for consumers, and could derail an already weak global recovery. He says it also underscores the need for the U.S. to greatly expand its domestic energy production.

1 destined   

adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的

参考例句：

• It was destined that they would marry.他们结婚是缘分。
• The shipment is destined for America.这批货物将运往美国。

2 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。

3 frenzy   

n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动

参考例句：

• He was able to work the young students up into a frenzy.他能激起青年学生的狂热。
• They were singing in a frenzy of joy.他们欣喜若狂地高声歌唱。

4 spike   

n.长钉，钉鞋；v.以大钉钉牢，使...失效

参考例句：

• The spike pierced the receipts and held them in order.那个钉子穿过那些收据并使之按顺序排列。
• They'll do anything to spike the guns of the opposition.他们会使出各种手段来挫败对手。

5 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。

6 bluffing   

n. 威吓，唬人 动词bluff的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• I don't think he'll shoot—I think he's just bluffing. 我认为他不会开枪—我想他不过是在吓唬人。
• He says he'll win the race, but he's only bluffing. 他说他会赢得这场比赛，事实上只是在吹牛。

7 asymmetric   

a.不对称的

参考例句：

• Most people's faces are asymmetric. 大多数人的脸不对称。
• We have made no reference to asymmetric carbon atoms. 我们未曾涉及不对称碳原子。

8 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

9 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。