BBC Learning English
Words in the News
People arrested for attempted nuclear
site sabotage
7 October 2013
_____________________________________________________
The Iranian media says at least four people have been arrested for trying to sabotage a
nuclear site. No details have been given so far of their nationality or which nuclear site
they are alleged to have been trying to damage. Sebastian Usher reports for the BBC:
This is the latest twist in the saga of Iran's showdown with the West over its nuclear
programme, which has received new impetus after signs that Tehran might be softening
its stance.
The country's atomic energy chief told a security conference that the alleged saboteurs
had been under surveillance for some time. He said they were caught red-handed and
are now in the process of being interrogated. He gave no further details.
There've long been rumours that Israel, which sees Iran's potential development of a
nuclear weapon as an existential threat, has sent spies into Iran to disrupt its
programme, with some even accusing its agents of killing Iranian nuclear
scientists. Israel has warned the US and the West not to be fooled by the recent charm
offensive by the new, more moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who had a
historic, icebreaking phone call with President Obama a few days ago.
The Israelis announced their own arrest of an alleged Iranian-born spy in the midst of the
new optimism that a genuine resolution of a nuclear standoff could now be on the
cards. This latest announcement from Iran shows that underneath the newly hopeful
surface, the complex three-dimensional chess game over Iran's nuclear ambitions
continues undiminished.
Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2013
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Vocabulary and definitions
saga long series of related events
impetus force that gives a particular activity more energy or
makes it more effective
stance clearly stated view about an issue
saboteurs people who deliberately damage or destroy
something
caught red-handed (arrested) while doing something wrong
existential threat something that could cause harm to human existence
charm offensive actions intended to get people to like and trust you
so that you can influence them
icebreaking something you do to get people who don't know each
other well to talk and improve relations
on the cards likely to happen
undiminished not reduced in importance
Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/10/131007_witn_iran_nuclear.shtml
Related story:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24419119
Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2013
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bbclearningenglish.com