US ‘sophist’ in claiming Iran free to import medicine: Analyst
A senior analyst believes the United States is completely false in claiming that Iran can freely import medicine to fight a new coronavirus pandemic despite a series of harsh sanctions that have affected the country’s economy.
David Gerdner said in an opinion piece for the Financial Times that US sanctions have affected Iran’s very ability to engage in any form of transaction with foreign entities as banks around the world fear they would be excluded from the dollar system if they deal with Iran.
“Washington insists Tehran is in any case free to import medicine and medical equipment, even under the sanctions,” said Gardner, adding, “Aside from the fact that Iran is running out of money, this is a sophism.”
The comments come as countries around the world have been pressing Washington to ease it economic pressure on Iran to allow the country to access vital medical equipment and drugs needed to fight COVOD-19, a disease that has infected more than 50,000 people in the country.
The United States has resisted those calls while claiming that there are sufficient waivers allowing Tehran to engage in trade of humanitarian items.
Gerdner said “Iran has real problems importing medicine” insisting that sanctions on the country should be removed “as a matter of urgency”.
Some 3,160 people have died of COVID-19 in Iran since it was spotted in the country on February 19. A total of 16,711 patients have been released from hospitals in the country after recovering from the illness, according to figures provided by the Iranian health ministry on Thursday.
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