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 .
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 .