Iran Press/commentary: Coronavirus outbreaks in nearly 190 countries remind us of the importance of the principle of 'global solidarity' to combat this deadly virus. But the US' cruel sanctions on Iran have made the Corona issue a major challenge for Tehran. With unilateral actions and sanctions on medicines and medical supplies, the US is effectively hampering the process of fighting the Corona, which has killed both innocent Iranians and hindered fighting against Covid-19 globally.
The US policy against Iran has also prompted negative reactions within the US as well as increased demands for easing anti-Iranian sanctions. Following strong criticism from Iranian officials and international institutions in the face of the damaging impact of US sanctions on Iran's ability to counter Corona, several members of the US Congress called in a letter to ease sanctions against Tehran.
The letter, which was signed by Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, and six members of the US House of Representatives, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Barbara Lee, and Ilhan Omar, was sent to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin.
Reducing anti-Iranian sanctions, of course, is not just the demand of US lawmakers, but 25 US organizations and NGOs, including human rights groups, charities, and think tanks, in a letter to the President and US Treasury and Secretary of State called for President Donald Trump to agree to a temporary suspension of US sanctions on Iran.
The organizations called for a minimum 120-day suspension of sanctions, including sanctions on the financial, oil, and civil industries. In this regard, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet also called for suspension or at least a reduction in sanctions against countries such as Iran and Venezuela, saying that disrupting a country's medical efforts raises risks for all in pandemic conditions.
Michelle Bachelet said humanitarian exemptions to sanctions measures should be authorized for essential medical equipment and supplies to avoid the collapse of any national healthcare system.
“At this crucial time, both for global public health reasons, and to support the rights and lives of millions of people in these countries, sectoral sanctions should be eased or suspended. In the context of the global pandemic, impeding medical efforts in one country heightens the risk for all of us”, she stated.
US President Donald Trump, however, opposes lifting sanctions on Iran. Although the Trump administration has claimed that it has grant some exemptions to Iran to confront the Corona, Washington is effectively blocking Iran's aid route. 101/212
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