Iran- a Country under sanctions during pandemic times

Iran is presently one of the worst COVID-19 hit countries in the world.The country’s positive cases have exceeded 65000  with more than 4000 deaths.The ever-increasing hoarse and  harshest US sanctions at the time of global pandemic have hit Iran badly,though the country is using every means to overcome and minimize the effects of the corona virus outbreak.

The arch rival US did offer Iran to help fight corona virus outbreak.However Iran’s supreme leader rejected it citing a conspiracy theory of US military being accused of developing and spreading the virus.It is pertinent to mention here that Chinese officials were the first to blame US military of corona virus conspiracy.For Iran if US is sincere in its offer,it should first lift or ease some sanctions which is a genuine demand.However US increased sanctions on Iran even after the WHO declaration of Corona virus outbreak as pandemic.

US administration reimposed sanctions on Iran after President Trump abandoned 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA).The deal was signed by Iran and six world powers viz. US, China, Russia, Britain, France, Germany (P5+1). Trump has  been calling for a new deal while bashing old one.Iran while terming sanctions as ‘economic terrorism’ has maintained that the deal was not a bilateral agreement between two countries but an agreement signed by six major world powers and ratified by the United Nations.So the withdrawal of US from the deal is a clear violation of the International agreement.Besides the various reports  of IAEA (designated under JCPOA for monitoring and verification of nuclear activities in Iran) clearly show Iran’s compliance with 2015 Nuclear Deal.

Many countries have appealed US for lifting sanctions on Iran like China,Russia,Pakistan,Turkey,Qatar,Iraq. As the COVID-19  pandemic progresses, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,called for an easing of sanctions against Iran to allow medical systems to fight the disease and limit its global spread.Within U.S. many prominent personalities  like Bernie Sanders of Democratic party,Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and others have renewed calls for the U.S. to lift sanctions on Iran to combat the virus outbreak.The award winning film maker and activist Oliver Stone noted in an Op-ed published by the New York Daily News ‘Iran has suffered immensely from the virus but due to U.S. sanctions the Islamic Republic is reportedly the only country in the world that cannot buy medicines needed to fight pandemic’. But the US so far seems unmoved and has threatened Iran of more sanctions to continue its maximum pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic.

Despite facing shortage of medical equipments and other resources,Iran’s response to the pandemic is quite promising.The pace of the outbreak is slowing down in almost all provinces ,including the hardest-hit like Tehran and Mazandaran.This is due to the measures taken by the Iranian government along with the cooperation of the people.Masjids and holy shrines have been closed down after the Supreme leader issued a decree requesting people to stay and pray at their homes.Other public places including government offices ,parks,public transport ,shopping malls etc. are shut.

As the import of equipments necessary to combat corona virus was not possible due to U.S. sanctions,Iranians relied on their domestic and local potentials.Soon an Iranian Knowledge based company ,Pishtaz Teb Zaman Diagnostics, developed Corona virus diagnostic test kits.The firm capable of providing 80,000 kits on a weekly basis is ready to supply to global markets as well.As far as disinfectants production was concerned,another Iranian firm,Behshahr Industrial Group,started producing 90 tonnes of disinfectant gel and liquid daily to fight corona virus in Iran.

Iran ranks second after U.S. in the list of countries in Stem Cell research trials.Iranian stem cell scientist Dr. Masoud Soleimani, who returned home in December last year following release from a U.S. prison, said they are developing stem cell therapy for corona virus by using mesenchymal stem cells to modify the immune response in patients suffering from the virus.Tehran has also unveiled new homegrown artificial intelligence software to speed up detection of the Covid-19 virus.The software uses artificial intelligence to analyze computed tomography (CT) scans of potentially infected lungs,allowing doctors to upload images and instantly receive results.Studies have shown that CT scans are more reliable than the PCR method.A Chinese research paper published just over a month ago recommended it be used as a ‘primary tool’ in testing for Covid-19.This clearly indicates the Iran’s competency with other developed countries in Science and Technology in spite of reeling under harsh sanctions.

By not easing some of the sanctions at the time of global pandemic,the whole world must have realized the true character of U.S.Iran on the other hand has gained much empathy from the world.Though the sanctions have brought difficulties to Iranians in every sector,it is very unlikely to see Iran giving up.With U.S. itself facing the wrath of Covid-19 and its acceptance of aid from Russia and China (close friends of Iran),it seems the post corona outbreak era will mark an end to the U.S. dominance over the world affairs which clearly provides a great opportunity and a sigh of relief for Iran.