Iran’s coronavirus crisis

One of the worst affected countries from the coronavirus is our neighbour Iran. According to the nation’s health ministry, one person dies from the disease every ten minutes and fifty people get infected every hour.

The Iranian government is voicing the horrifying effects of the virus as cases being rising and hospitals have reached a breaking point. The death toll has crossed 1500, making it the third-highest behind Italy and China and is believed to be much higher than projected.

Despite the miserable situation, the United States has still imposed tightening sanctions on Iran affecting the flow of necessary medical aid and assistance. The US is continuing its policy of ‘maximum pressure’ even under these extreme circumstances. The US has instead blamed China, Russia, and Iran for spreading disinformation on the coronavirus and disparaging attempts to contain the pandemic.

Although there are reservations that Iran skewed numbers and downplayed the crisis, the situation now is out of control. Iran was compelled to seek emergency assistance from the IMF out of desperation. Iran is one of the epicentre of this outbreak and facing a catastrophe. As the world is fighting a common enemy, it should ease restrictions and help Iran in the crisis.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has been one of the few leaders who have spoken against lifting sanctions on Iran. He said the international has a moral responsibility to lift the unjust sanction, and even waive off the debts on underdeveloped countries in such situations. Iranian President Rouhani has even written a letter to PM Imran Khan requesting help amid the outbreak.

Pakistan’s principled stance against lifting sanctions on Iran will be ineffective as this is US-Iran bilateral issues. Pakistan cannot influence US policy but other countries should raise their voice so that sanctions do not limit the flow of aid to the country in its time of need. The US has sent a blunt message that the spread of coronavirus will not save it from crippling sanctions that have isolated the economy.

China has called for giving Iran sanctions relief for humanitarian but there are no signs of it, and instead, the US has resorted to usual rhetoric accusing Iran of terrorism and funding foreign wars rather than spending on health. There is no indication of any leeway even for provision of medical supplies. This is rather unjustified and could worsen of the spread of the outbreak. The world needs to remain united as these are unusual times and help defeat the coronavirus pandemic.