Though ayatollahs are well versed in subtle distinctions , I am not quite sure how to interpret this apparent rift between the greater and lesser satans .

尽管阿亚图拉们很擅长在微小的区别上做文章，但我还是不知道该如何理解在伟大的撒旦和渺小的撒旦两者之间的这条鸿沟。

The same ayatollahs who each year mark a holiday by leading chants of " death to america " are not going to be talked out of their pursuit of nuclear weapons .

每年都唱着美国去死的圣歌来纪念节日的阿亚图拉，和不打算讲出他们对核武器追求的人是同一个。

The ruling ayatollahs must be feeling nervous .

统治伊朗的伊斯兰什叶派领袖们一定感到惴惴不安。

The president is also distrusted by some of iran 's grandest ayatollahs .

内贾德总统同样没得到一些伊朗大阿亚图拉们的信任。

To be sure , some of its regional aims are mischievous , and in pursuing them it has adopted foul means , including terrorism . But the ayatollahs have so far been shrewd calculators of consequences .

但确信的是，伊朗的一些地区目标是有害的，而且为了实现这些目标它的手段也不怎么光明正大－其中就包括恐怖主义（手段）。