Coronavirus: Time to forget about sanctions and an opportunity for cooperation

For several months now, the theme of coronavirus has been the main theme and, unfortunately, the harsh reality of countries, families and individuals. There was practically no corner left on the surface of the planet where they would not talk about the coronavirus and would not worry about the consequences. The latest statistical data is threatening: 1,784,331 total numbers of cases, 412, 104 recovered and 110,033 numbers of people who lost this battle against the virus and this statistic does not seem to be declining. And while world shudders under the coronavirus shock United States of America is leaving Islamic Republic of Iran, one of the most hit by the coronavirus outbreak, without any right for the support and aid. Instead of changing the policy of “maximum pressure”, and if not lift, but ease sanctions imposed over Iran, “maximum pressure” is getting worth.

Is it an effort to take advantage of situation and to show its power and influence on the world arena? It might be, but is this the right time to do so?

Iran became the second country hit by the novel coronavirus. The epidemic spread extremely quickly throughout the country and put it into top of cases and death statistic globally. In the conditions of decades of sanctions and lack of vital medicines and medical equipment, the situation might become even worse. Thus, at the time of pandemics, sanctions imposed do not affect only economic and trade interests of the country, but are targeting each and every citizen, who is under constant threat to be infected and not to get a necessary treatment.

Such actions of US Administration become an obstacle in the fight against the virus and stimulate its spread instead. This was toughly criticized both inside and outside the country. Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders has written is his Tweeter “Iran is facing a catastrophic toll from the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. sanctions should not be contributing to this humanitarian disaster. As a caring nation, we must lift any sanctions hurting Iran’s ability to address this crisis, including financial sanctions.” Leaders of Britain, Germany, Russia, China and other countries around the globe also called to remember about humanity and confront the pandemics together, providing necessary aid and assistance. However, the US states decided to continue this “feast in time of plague”, but, as seen from recent statistics, US is like to become a “Walsingham, disturbed by the spirit of his dead mother and sounds of the funeral processions”.