VOA常速英语:US Forces Poised to Deal with Iran Threat

deal with应付, 处理; 对待
例句：There are many difficulties to be dealt with when starting a new business.
开展一项新业务时, 有许多困难需要解决。

2. They are prepared to respond if tensions with Iran escalate into direct military action.

escalate into逐步升级为，激化为
例句：Local fighting threatens to escalate into full-scale war.
局部战斗有逐步升级为全面战争的危险。

3. Virtually all of its major combat ships date back to the time of the Shah and have had only limited refitting

date back to追溯到…; 从…开始
例句：The history of the town dates back to the Middle Ages.
这个城镇的历史可回溯到中世纪。

4. But that weakness has not stopped Iran from making threats to close the Strait of Hormuz.

stop from阻止某事发生
例句：Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes.
眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。

5. They say a full scale offensive could cost Iran the destruction of its armed forces in a matter of days, in the event of war with the U.S. or Israel.

in the event of万一, 倘若
例句：In the event of his death, his daughter will inherit the money.
一旦他故去, 他的女儿将会继承这笔钱。

6. Iran has plenty of reasons not to engage the U.S. and its allies in a full-scale confrontation, but if it does, U.S. officials say they are ready.

engage in参加; 从事; 忙于
例句：He engaged in a serious study of the problem.
他对这个问题进行了认真的研究。
plenty of很多, 大量的
例句：There is plenty of coal in this area.
这个地区有丰富的煤。