The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary– June 24, 2021; Day 87

Today we have collated the 10 tricky words/phrases/terms from the editorial on U.S. blocking Iran-linked websites. Go through these words and see how many did you know already. Check their usage as well. This will surely help you to understand the sense the tricky words have conveyed in the editorial.

Difficult Word/ Phrase	Contextual Sense
Provocation	action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, especially deliberately
Crack down	Act more forcefully to regulate, repress, or restrain
Allegation	a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof
Hardline	uncompromising; strict
Cleric	a priest or religious leader, especially a Christian or Muslim one
Muzzle	to stop a person or organization from expressing independent opinions
Rhetoric	clever language that sounds good but is not sincere or has no real meaning
Despotic	connected with or typical of a leader with great power, especially one who uses it in a cruel way
Knee-jerk reaction	a quick reaction that does not allow you time to consider something carefully
hitch	a temporary interruption or problem

Engage Iran: On U.S. blocking Iran-linked websites

Blocking of Iran-linked websites does little for efforts to revive n-deal and reverse sanctions

The U.S.’s decision to block dozens of Iran-linked websites at a time when both countries are trying to revive the nuclear deal is unnecessary provocation (action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, especially deliberately). The U.S. has accused the sites, including Iran’s state-owned Press TV, of spreading disinformation. In the past, the U.S. had cracked down (act more forcefully to regulate, repress, or restrain) on Chinese and Iranian media over similar allegations (a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof). The move comes days after Iran elected Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline (uncompromising; strict) cleric (a priest or religious leader, especially a Christian or Muslim one), as President. The election of Mr. Raisi, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. for his alleged role in the execution of political prisoners and other rights violations, has already escalated tensions between the two countries. Iran’s sharp response to the move on the websites, has been that the U.S. was trying to “muzzle (to stop a person or organization from expressing independent opinions) free speech”. Even if one ignores Iran’s rhetoric (clever language that sounds good but is not sincere or has no real meaning), the U.S.’s move hardly serves its declared purpose of fighting disinformation. When America seized the website of the semi-official Iranian news agency, Fars, in 2018, it switched to an Iranian domain and was back online. The U.S. should not act like despotic (connected with or typical of a leader with great power, especially one who uses it in a cruel way) regimes that take knee-jerk actions (knee-jerk reaction means a quick reaction that does not allow you time to consider something carefully) towards media platforms with critical coverage. The way to fight disinformation campaigns is to promote information and strengthen independent journalism. Besides aiding the Iranian narrative that America remains hostile, the U.S. decision could also create hitches (a temporary interruption or problem) in the diplomatic process under way.

The Biden administration had hoped for reaching an agreement with Tehran on reviving the nuclear deal before the June 18 Iran presidential election. After multiple rounds of indirect talks in Vienna, along with other world powers, a final agreement has not been reached, but all parties have expressed faith in talks. The Biden administration had shown a willingness to reverse Donald Trump’s maximum pressure policy and revive the deal that would cut off Iran’s path towards the bomb in return for lifting sanctions. Iran, embattled by sanctions, economic woes and protests, has responded positively to the U.S.’s overtures. But there have been bottlenecks. One, when the Trump administration pulled the U.S. out of the nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions, Iran started rebuilding its nuclear programme with higher-level fuel enrichment and production of centrifuges. Now, the U.S. wants Iran to return to the terms of the original agreement, while the Iranians want the sanctions lifted first. Two, the Biden administration also wants to discuss Iran’s ballistic missile programme and its regional activities. Mr. Raisi has rejected such demands outright. Known for his hardline domestic and foreign policy views, he would take over the presidency in early August. Mr. Biden’s best chance to revive the nuclear deal is to do it before then. Both sides should focus on the diplomatic path, aimed at achieving a pragmatic agreement first that addresses the most critical issues — Iran’s expanding nuclear programme and America’s sprawling sanctions regime.

Hope you got to know some new words/phrases which will definitely be useful in the English section of upcoming competitive exams. Wishing you all the best in your preparation!

Want to improve your vocabulary further? Download the Lists of Word-Meanings of Previous Months here.