image Photo: Reuters

Iran eases COVID-19 measures despite raising death toll

Despite the uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus in Iran, the Ayatollah regime’s to partially restart the economy has reportedly sparked a resurgence of the contagion in many parts of the Islamic Republic.

Tehran authorities have confirmed more than 130,000 cases and 4,777 fatalities since the uncontrollable outbreak of the disease. Even though health officials urged the exercise of caution, President Hassan Rouhani – who serves at the pleasure of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – is pressing ahead. The plan includes the reopening of specified sectors of the country’s battered economy deemed as less vulnerable to the disease such as the lifting of restrictions of public movement. “We have had in place restrictions on movement between provinces (across the country),” declared Rouhani, adding, “God willing, we plan to relax these restrictions as of April 20.”

The Iranian President is evidently using every public appearance to try and manipulate the opinion of his people vis-à-vis U.S.-imposed sanctions on his regime – even though they include no humanitarian-related restrictions. “We are involved in the coronavirus issue (just) as you (Western countries) are, while we are facing a virus worse than corona – which is sanctions,” said Rouhani.

It is important to mention that since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, the United States has offered Iran humanitarian assistance on several occasions, which has adamantly been rejected by the regime despite the deadly impact the contagion has had on the Iranian people.