Rouhani Slams US Anti-Iranian Sanctions Amid Coronavirus Pandemic: “Not a Time for Political War”

By Staff, Agencies

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has hailed Iran’s “acceptable” handling of the novel coronavirus, saying the disease has cemented national unity despite all the hardships it has caused.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting in Tehran on Sunday, Rouhani said that in addition to the suffering and pain it has caused, the virus has led to “great achievements” which should be upheld.

“Besides all the suffering, a unity was created. We should not let it fade,” he said. “We have found a valuable social capital which benefits everyone,” he added.

Rouhani also underlined the need to preserve the mutual trust created between the government and people in the course of the fight against the fast-spreading respiratory disease.

The president cited Health Minister Saeed Namaki as saying that Iran, compared to other countries, has an “acceptable” rating in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak both in terms of the treatment of patients and medical capabilities.

“Overall, the situation this week is better than last week. Nevertheless, we want to reach the favorable point step by step,” he said.

“Our situation is good when the statistics are compared with those of other countries, including in Europe and the West.”

The president further referred to his video conference meeting with senior medical experts, saying they believe that some Iranian provinces have passed the peak of the disease.

Rouhani said Iran is handling the disease under abnormal conditions because of unilateral US sanctions on the country. “While under sanctions, we have been able to resist well and run the country as good as possible.”

He dismissed some criticism of his government's response to the coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East as a “political war,” saying it has to weigh protecting the economy while tackling the pandemic.

Rouhani said the government has to consider the effect of any mass quarantine efforts on Iran's beleaguered economy, which is under heavy US sanctions. 

“Health is a principle for us, but the production and security of society is also a principle for us," he said. “We must put these principles together to reach a final decision."

“This is not the time to gather followers,” he added. “This is not a time for political war.”

Even before the pandemic, Rouhani was under fire from some quarters for the unraveling of the 2015 nuclear deal he concluded with the United States and other world powers. President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the agreement and has imposed most draconian sanctions on Iran that prevent it from selling oil on international markets.