Go Sanctions Go

Go Sanctions Go

Rate of increase in the number of Covid-19 positive cases and huge number of deaths in the whole world and our inability to contain it, speaks about the fragility of humans and at the same time poses a question on the mere existence of human race. Virus has trigged unprecedented crises in human history. In these tough times, lucky are those who have only this particular issue to fight with. Country like Iran, which is among one of the worst hit regions, has to fight with the pandemic on one hand and has to deal with the stubbornness of the Trump and his allies on the other. US, first of all pulled out from a UN endorsed nuclear deal between Iran and P5+1 nations and later continued to impose more sanctions on Iran, thereby proved that they are not reliable partners, exactly what Iran’s supreme leader Ayatullah Ali Khamanai has called them several times so far.  As the virus spread over Iran and started to show its aggression, those, whose conscience is still live, raised voice and urged the world community to ease the sanctions on Iran. Some sections of the media also played its role and showed their concern. Now that Corona Virus has spread into West and US, global media has shifted its focus to western world. It has resulted in US escaping the criticism for continuing its deadly sanctions against Iran and its people at this crucial time. United Nations leadership recently called for rolling back of sanctions, declaring sanctions as counterproductive for  containing the spread of the corona virus. “I am encouraging the waiving of sanctions imposed on countries to ensure access to food, essential health supplies, and COVID-19 medical support. This is the time for solidarity not exclusion,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres wrote in a letter to the G-20 economic powers. “Let us remember that we are only as strong as the weakest health system in our interconnected world”, said Guterres.  Iran‘s foreign minister, Mr. Zarif, in his letter to UN urged an end to illegal sanctions. Zarif said, “despite Iran’s scientific capabilities and the commitment that the country’s health system has shown to the fight against the coronavirus outbreak, the U.S. sanctions on the sale of medicine, medical equipment and humanitarian supplies is a serious obstacle to the efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in the country”. US, however, has claimed that humanitarian aid including food and medicine has been exempted from sanctions. But the fact is that companies have been unwilling to do business with Iran, and banks have not been able or willing to process payments fearing to face secondary sanctions from US. China has also urged the United States to lift sanctions on Iran immediately amid the country’s response to the corona virus outbreak. Michelle Bachelet, the UN high commissioner for human rights, also said  “in a context of global pandemic, impeding medical efforts in one country heightens the risk for all of us.” She further added, “At this crucial time, both for global public health reasons, and to support the rights and lives of millions of people in these countries, sanctions should be eased or suspended”. In addition to above, Russia, Pakistan and various other medical organizations and rights groups urged the Trump administration to lift sanctions against the Islamic Republic.  Unmoved by the all-round condemnation and outcry, US instead responded with a message to Iran saying “Corona virus won’t save you from sanctions”. No wonder Zarif described this uncivilized behavior of United States as an act of “medical terrorism”. As expected Iran, inspite of all odds has again demonstrated it's ability and resolve to withstand the challenge. Even under pressing sanctions, Iran has been able to develop rapid test kits, increase its face mask production by many folds, conduct successful stem cell research to counter coronavirus and more recently on 4^th April, 2020, unveiled its indigenous and state of art Artificial Intelligence based corona virus diagnosis system, thereby proved its metal again. US and it's allies need to see the writing on the wall and cash on the opportunity created by COVID-19 and ease sanctions which have already proved futile in cowing down Iran. It is high time to engage with Iran rather than pushing it to wall. Hope the sanity prevails and COVID-19 threat paves way for new world order based on Sincerity, equality and compassion.

Afaq Alam Khan