Shadowing Practice: Trump: ceasefire is “on life support” and Iran peace plan is "garbage” | BBC News - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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President Trump says the ceasefire with Iran is on life support and he is still aiming for complete victory in the war.
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President Trump says the ceasefire with Iran is on life support and he is still aiming for complete victory in the war.
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Speaking to reporters at the White House today, he described Iran's response to a U.S.
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peace offer as a stupid proposal.
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It's unbelievably weak, I would say.
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I would call it the weakest right now, after reading that piece of garbage they sent us.
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I didn't even finish reading it.
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They said I'm not going to waste my time reading it.
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I would say it's one of the weakest right now.
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It's on life support.
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Our international editor, Jeremy Bowen, is with me.
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Hi, Jeremy.
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So where does this leave the ceasefire?
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Well, Donald Trump always says that he's got all the cards.
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That's a phrase he loves.
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I think the reality is he hasn't, that Iran has got quite a few cards of its own.
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And its response to this back and forth on possible ceasefire is informed by the fact that they believe they have a strong position.
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In fact, they described their proposals as responsible and generous.
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Essentially, Iran wants no return to the status quo.
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That means, among other things, it wants its control of the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of the world's oil and gas was going through, and now it's all blocked up.
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You can see all the ships lined up there that are stuck in the Gulf.
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They want to continue to have that chokehold or potential chokehold over the world economy.
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they've discovered that this is a really potent weapon.
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And right now, Donald Trump, for all the might of the Americans, has got no answer to this.
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I think he would like to find an easy way to reverse out of this.
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They've got elections coming up, petrol prices are going up in America.
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It's really unpopular, the war.
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But I think the Iranians are not prepared to give him that out.
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They want something in return.
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And so in the background, all this American military might, might they go in and bomb more?
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I think if they did that, they're aware that Iran would then start attacking targets in the Gulf, particularly perhaps in the United Arab Emirates, which is very close to Israel and therefore seen by Iran as part of that enemy coalition.
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And Jeremy, what about the Israelis?
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Well, the Israelis, Prime Minister Netanyahu has been speaking and he believes that there is plenty of unfinished business with Iran, that he would like to continue, not least they want to get hold of the enriched uranium that they have.
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Iran also would like to link any kind of deal in the Gulf to a continuation or not, to an end rather,
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of the war that's going on in Lebanon at the moment because Hezbollah, their ally, which is not party to the very weak ceasefire that's there at the moment, that they would like to be able to say that they stopped that war as well.
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I think that's something, I'm not sure even the Americans can deliver that from the Israelis.
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The UN said that there are 100 Israeli strikes over the last 24 hours, 87 killed over the weekend, civilians killed, families displaced.
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Look, in general, there is really, in a sense, megaphone diplomacy going on.
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And I think what we're seeing as well is that this is a really poor way to try to end a really dangerous war that affects all of our lives.
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Jeremy, many thanks for that.
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Our international editor, Jeremy Bowen.
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Context & Background

In a recent press conference, former President Donald Trump discussed the ongoing tensions and ceasefire efforts involving Iran, shedding light on complex geopolitical issues. His remarks highlight not only the challenges in diplomatic negotiations but also the underlying motivations of the parties involved. Trump described Iran's response to a U.S. peace offer as inadequate, emphasizing his belief in a strong American position while hinting at the strategic advantages Iran perceives it holds. Such dialogues are crucial in understanding international relations and enhance your English comprehension by exposing you to real-world issues articulated by influential figures.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "On life support" - A phrase indicating that something is struggling to survive, often used metaphorically.
  • "Weakest right now" - This expression suggests that something is not strong or convincing at the present time.
  • "Not going to waste my time" - A direct way to convey disinterest or disappointment in something deemed unworthy.
  • "Chokehold over the world economy" - A figurative way to express significant control or influence over global financial matters.
  • "Megaphone diplomacy" - Referring to public statements made for effect rather than genuine diplomatic communication.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively improve your English speaking skills using this video as a resource, follow this step-by-step shadowing technique:

  1. Watch the Video: Begin by watching the entire video without any interruptions. Focus on the overall message and context.
  2. Repeat After the Speaker: Play the video again, pausing after each sentence or phrase. Try to imitate Trump's tone, rhythm, and pronunciation. This method, known as shadowspeak, helps you develop your listening and speaking abilities simultaneously.
  3. Take Notes: Write down any phrases or vocabulary that are unfamiliar. Use these phrases to create your own sentences, thus reinforcing your understanding.
  4. Practice with a Partner: If possible, practice discussing the video with a friend or language partner. This peer interaction will enhance your English speaking practice.
  5. Review and Reflect: After shadowing, reflect on what you’ve learned. Identify areas where you struggled and set goals for improvement.

By incorporating these techniques into your routine, you can effectively learn English with YouTube and build confidence in your speaking abilities.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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