Iran refuses to accept the offer of American medical and humanitarian aid. Ayatollah Khomeini finds such an offer “strange.” Perhaps the Americans want to poison the Iranians. Or make it impossible for them to shake off the effects of the coronavirus. They must be up to something. Such kindness from the Great Satan makes no sense.
Iran is trying to exploit the coronavirus outbreak to persuade the Americans to remove the sanctions. It behaves as if it has no other way of raising money to fight the virus, no expenses it could cut down on. But the Trump Administration knows how much Iran has been spending on its foreign adventurism and its nuclear program, and is not about to fall for Tehran’s poor-mouthing.
China, a party to Iran’s nuclear deal, has urged the United States to lift sanctions on Iran immediately amid Tehran’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
China was a good customer for Iran, and still buys what Iranian oil it can, but the Americans have placed sanctions on several Chinese firms that have been buying Iranian petrochemicals, and the Chinese would much prefer for America to lift its sanctions on Iran so that they need not worry any more about Washington’s reaction to such purchases.
But the United States sent Iran a blunt message this week: the spread of the virus will not save it from US sanctions that are choking off its oil revenues and isolating its economy.
The sanctions are designed to pressure Iran to do two things. First, they are intended to pressure Iran to end the military and financial support it gives to proxies and allies abroad in Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. Second, the sanctions are meant to persuade Iran to halt its nuclear program. It’s up to Iran to decide: does it want to continue spending billions on its foreign adventurism and its nuclear program, or does it want to spend those billions instead on medical care, which is what a reordering of Iran’s priorities, leading to a lifting of sanctions, would immediately make possible?
Khamenei, who canceled his annual speech for the Persian new year from the holy Shi’ite Muslim city of Mashhad on March 20 because of the outbreak, said Iran would triumph over the virus.
“The Islamic Republic has the capability to overcome any kind of crisis and challenges, including the coronavirus outbreak,” said Khamenei, who called on people to stay at home.
An extraordinarily foolish and dangerous remark. Such bluster – that the “Islamic Republic has the capability to overcome any kind of crisis” – does not convey the sense of alarm that is merited, especially since Iranians have until now been far too blasé. They have been ignoring the need to maintain social distances. They still can be seen walking together on the streets, celebrating the Nowruz holiday in large groups, and continuing to flock to mosques. Khamenei should have spoken in a much more somber tone, even berated the Iranian public for having defied warnings by officials, as they continue to congregate, take non-essential trips, and refuse to observe the six-foot rule for social distancing.
While many Iranians avoided traveling during the Persian new year holiday, police said millions have defied warnings issued by officials to avoid unnecessary trips aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.
The office of Tehran’s governor said all shopping centers will be closed in the capital from Sunday.
“Only pharmacies and shops that provide essential goods will remain open in Tehran,” Iranian state TV reported.
The Americans should leave that “strange” offer for medical and humanitarian aid on the table, to be accepted whenever – and if ever – the Iranian rulers come to their senses. Washington might also direct a message over the heads of their rulers to the Iranian people:
“We stand ready to help you today, and tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow. That does not depend on any change in your government’s behavior. But you can also put yourselves in a much better position to combat the coronavirus. As soon as your government stops sending vast amounts of weapons and money to Houthis in Yemen, to militias in Iraq, to Hezbollah in Lebanon, to Assad’s army in Syria, and calls a halt to its nuclear program, all our sanctions will be lifted. Your oil sales will return to the level they were at in 2015. And vaster still will be the sums that your government will have saved, by no longer supporting military adventures abroad, but instead applying those sums at home to treat those already infected with, and to prevent the spread still further of, the coronavirus. It’s the greatest world-wide health crisis since the flu pandemic of 1918. It knows no borders. It plays no favorites. We are truly in this together.”
Isaac Marshall says
Absolutely crazy. Some fools never learn.
Hugh Fitzgerald says
How many Iranians will die because of their Supreme Leader’s decision? And will the people of Iran, having endured so much, as a consequence of the coronavirus finally rise up all over the country and put paid to this monstrous regime?
sweetolbob says
Isaac:
I agree ! it was absolutely crazy to offer help to those stupid, spittle coated beard, headbanging, murderous morons in the first place.
Thy only wanted the offer so they could look like big, hairy dudes by refusing it.
I wish them all a happy infection ! And advise them not to top licking door knobs !
Boromir's Horn says
“whenever – and if ever – the Iranian rulers come to their senses”
Yeah, I don’t think so.
If someone gave them a nickle, they’d have 5 times more sense than they have now :>)
Sam Suhr says
Of course the boss Muslim of Iran would find any offer of assistance from any non-Muslim nation “strange” — at least in public. Since such concepts as pure, unconditional kindness and basic human decency for everyone regardless of belief, are disallowed in Islam.
Westman says
There are reports that the Covid-19 deaths in Iran are 3 to 5 times higher than reported, 77 deaths just among the elite regime. If true, then no level of infection and deaths will bring the Mullahs to their senses. They have no sense.
“The Islamic Republic has the capability to overcome any kind of crisis and challenges, including the coronavirus outbreak,” – Khamenei.
He must mean that like those who hung from cranes by their necks, the people will die for his rotten regime while it lies to the world about its great defeat of Covid-19. Isn’t it amazing how Iran’s “accomplishments” mean people have to die?
J Stephenson says
Those of us who would like to see Islam CREMATED May not have to wait much longer…GOD WILL NOT BE MOCKED!!!…NOTE: I said “Islam, the so called religion” not Muslims. Only GOD can desperate the two.I
gravenimage says
Khamenei Rejects Offer of American Help with Coronavirus (Part 2)
……………..
This pious thug doesn’t care how many of his people will suffer and die because of this.
Marilyn Griffin says
We are having a tough time meeting the needs of our own country and people during this crisis, so why in the world are we offering assistance to any other nation, least of all Iran???
Patrick B. Ludwig says
What “help” could the USofA, the self styled “empire” and it’s “greatest leader of all times” and “wartime president” – the narcisstic braggart Trump offer?
When:
a they started the whole crisis by letting loose a manipulated weapon of bio warfare
and
b they are dependent on aid in the matter themselves – from their “arch enemy”, RUSSIA.
Haw – Haw…
gravenimage says
Is this moron claiming that the United States somehow created the Coronavirus in the middle of China? And in what way is America reliant on aid from Russia?
What conspiracy sites has this fool been frequenting?
E Maria says
Why even help this Demonic killers ! Is Trump and his Administration aware of their main goal? Let them infect each other in their lands, that’s the way to get rid of them without firing a shot !
E Maria says
And their is no such thing as ‘moderate muslimes.’ And there is no such thing as dialoguing with the or the democratic Communist party. They are both one in the same, hell bent on destroying Christianity and controlling us like they have by the sword throughout the Middle East for centuries, raping the women, enslaving them and killing off the men. Same thing with the Commies, enslaving, total control and murder….
OLD GUY says
Good I did not want to help that son of a bitch anyhow. All he ever screams is kill Americans, so screw him.