The Hindu Editorial (From bad to worse) – Jun 01, 2026
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The Hindu Editorial (From bad to worse) – Jun 01, 2026:
- diplomacy (noun) – the profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations, typically by a country’s representatives abroad; statecraft, international relations, foreign policy.
- get through (phrasal verb) – to achieve or accomplish something, especially in difficult circumstances; succeed, manage, accomplish, attain.
- launch (verb) – to start or set in motion; initiate, begin, start, commence.
- objective (noun) – aim, purpose, target, intention.
- sweeping (adjective) – comprehensive, extensive, far-reaching, all-inclusive.
- regime (noun) – government, administration, establishment, system.
- Tehran (proper noun) – the capital of Iran, used here metonymically to refer to the Iranian government; Iranian government, Iranian administration, Iranian regime, Iran.
- dismantling (noun) – deconstruction, disassembly, breakdown, abolition.
- dismantle (verb) – deconstruct, demolish, take apart, destroy.
- missile (noun) – a weapon that is self-propelled or directed by remote control, carrying an explosive payload; projectile.
- curbing (noun) – the act of restraining or keeping something in check; restraining, restricting, limiting, containing.
- non-state (adjective) – relating to an organization or entity that is not a recognized state or government; non-governmental, independent, private, unofficial.
- ally (noun) – a state formally cooperating with another for a military or other purpose; partner, supporter, confederate, associate.
- conflict (noun) – armed conflict, war, warfare, battle, fight; dispute, quarrel, struggle, confrontation.
- rule out (phrasal verb) – exclude, eliminate, dismiss, reject.
- unconditional (adjective) – not subject to any conditions; absolute, unrestricted, unquestioning, unreserved.
- surrender (noun) – capitulation, submission, yielding, concession.
- go badly for (phrase) – to develop in an unfavorable or unsuccessful way for someone; fail, backfire, flop, miscarry.
- Washington (proper noun) – the capital of the United States, used here metonymically to refer to the US government; US government, US administration, US regime, USA.
- negotiate (verb) – to try to reach an agreement or compromise by discussion; discuss, broker.
- ceasefire (noun) – a temporary suspension of fighting; truce, armistice, suspension of hostilities.
- extension (noun) – prolongation, lengthening, expansion, continuation.
- Strait of Hormuz (proper noun) – a strategically important, narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, crucial for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
- in exchange for (phrase) – in return for something; in return for, in consideration of, as a replacement for, in trade for.
- concession (noun) – a thing that is granted, especially in response to demands; compromise, allowance, yielding, grant.
- draft (adjective) – describing a preliminary version of a piece of writing or document; preliminary, rough, unfinalized, working.
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (noun) – a formal but typically non-binding agreement between two or more parties outlining the shared intent and preliminary terms before a formal contract is signed; letter of intent, preliminary agreement, mutual agreement.
- restore (verb) – to bring back or re-establish a previous right, practice, or situation; reinstate, bring back, reinstitute, re-establish.
- maritime (adjective) – naval, marine, nautical, seafaring.
- gradually (adverb) – slowly, progressively, steadily, bit by bit.
- lift (verb) – to remove or officially end a restriction, rule, or ban; remove, withdraw, revoke, cancel.
- blockade (noun) – an act or means of sealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving; siege, barrier, barricade, restriction.
- port (noun) – harbour, dock, anchorage.
- frozen funds (noun) – financial assets that cannot be accessed or used due to legal, regulatory, or political restrictions; blocked assets, seized funds, restricted accounts, inaccessible capital.
- front (noun) – a particular area of activity; arena, sphere, field, domain.
- no longer (phrase) – not anymore; not now, not at present, finished, over.
- speak of (phrasal verb) – to mention or discuss something; mention, talk about, discuss, refer to.
- narrow (verb) – to become or make more limited or restricted in extent or scope; decrease, restrict, limit, reduce.
- line (noun) – a policy or a course of action adopted by a government or organization; policy, approach, stance, position.
- adopt (verb) – embrace, take on, accept, assume.
- culminate (verb) – to reach a climax or point of highest development; peak, climax, conclude, end up.
- sabotage (verb) – to deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct something; destroy, disrupt, ruin, undermine.
- negotiation (noun) – talks, discussions, parley, dialogue.
- campaign (noun) – a series of military operations intended to achieve a particular objective; operation, offensive, push, drive.
- declared (adjective) – openly stated or announced; stated, announced, explicit, proclaimed.
- strike (verb) – to attack suddenly and typically with military force; attack, hit, bombard, assault.
- base (noun) – a place used as a center of operations by the armed forces; headquarters, camp, station, installation.
- Persian Gulf (proper noun) – a highly strategic and geopolitical arm of the Arabian Sea located between the Arabian Peninsula and southwestern Iran, significant for its vast reserves of crude oil and natural gas; Gulf, sea lane, maritime region, oil-rich basin.
- take control of (phrase) – to gain authority, dominance, or command over something; dominate, govern, command, seize.
- widen (verb) – expand, broaden, extend, enlarge.
- likely (adverb) – probably or seemingly; probably, in all probability, presumably, doubtlessly.
- air strike (noun) – an attack made by aircraft; bombing, bombardment, air attack, aerial assault.
- extract (verb) – wring, obtain, exact, force.
- respond (verb) – react, retaliate.
- in kind (phrase) – in the same way or with something similar; similarly, equivalently, correspondingly, alike.
- push down (phrasal verb) – to lower the priority, level, or amount of something; demote, downgrade, lower, minimize.
- nuclear file (noun) – the dossier or ongoing diplomatic portfolio concerning a country’s nuclear program; nuclear issue, nuclear portfolio, atomic program dossier, nuclear negotiations.
- priority (noun) – prime concern, paramount importance, precedence, preference.
- take up (phrasal verb) – to resume, begin to deal with, or start a task or discussion; resume, restart, commence, proceed with.
- suggest (verb) – to put forward for consideration; imply, indicate, hint, propose.
- hardline (adjective) – uncompromising, strict, and unyielding in one’s views or political stances; uncompromising, strict, inflexible, tough.
- tactic (noun) – an action or strategy carefully planned to achieve a specific end; strategy, scheme, maneuver.
- yield (verb) – to produce or provide a result, gain, or effect; produce, generate, bear.
- engage (verb) – to participate or become involved in; participate, take part, involve oneself, join in.
- constructively (adverb) – positively, productively, usefully, helpfully.
- unilaterally (adverb) – performed by or affecting only one person, group, or country involved in a situation, without the agreement of another or the others; independently, solely, single-handedly, autonomously.
- withdraw (verb) – pull out, leave, retreat, pull back.
- compliant (adjective) – obedient, accommodating, cooperative, yielding.
- obligation (noun) – duty, commitment, responsibility, requirement.
- talks (noun) – negotiations, discussions, dialogue, consultations.
- seek (verb) – to attempt or desire to obtain or achieve something; try, aim, attempt, strive.
- address (verb) – to think about and begin to deal with an issue or problem; tackle, confront, deal with, handle.
- trust deficit (noun) – a lack of trust or confidence between groups, organizations, or individuals; lack of faith, suspicion, skepticism, mistrust.
- proceed (verb) – go ahead, move forward, continue, progress.
- serious about (phrase) – sincerely committed to or resolute concerning a subject or intent; committed to, earnest about, determined about, dedicated to.
- negotiated (adjective) – brokered, arranged, mediated, settled.
- settlement (noun) – agreement, resolution, deal, compromise.
- within reach (phrase) – able to be achieved or accomplished; attainable, achievable, accessible, possible.
- secure (verb) – to succeed in obtaining or achieving something, especially with difficulty; obtain, acquire, gain, get.
- risk (verb) – to act in such a way as to bring about the possibility of an unpleasant or unwelcome event; gamble, jeopardize, hazard, chance.
- entangle (verb) – to involve someone in difficulties or complicated circumstances from which it is difficult to escape; embroil, implicate, involve, enmesh.
- yet another (phrase) – one more in addition to others; one more, an additional, another, a further.
- forever (adjective) – continuing or lasting indefinitely; endless, perpetual, never-ending, persistent.
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