On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo doubled down on his accusation in opposition to Iran, criticizing Tehran for refusing to simply accept support from Medical doctors with out Borders (MSF), whereas claiming that the Iranian president may “better serve” the folks by agreeing to simply accept US “humanitarian aid”.

Iranian {Foreign Minister} Javad Zarif slammed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Twitter, suggesting that the latter can’t chorus from “spouting 3rd-rate propaganda” even within the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zarif questioned whether or not Pompeo was a secretary of state or a “Secretary of Hate”, noting that “No amount of trolling will gloss over his infamous warmongering & #EconomicTerrorism; killing innocents & impeding global fight against #COVID19”. 

The tweet follows Wednesday tweets made by Pompeo, during which he accused Tehran of “mishandling” the COVID-19 pandemic – constantly named by Pompeo the “WuhanVirus” – and of harming Iranian folks by not letting Medical doctors With out Borders arrange a subject hospital within the nation.

Tehran rejects MSF support

Tehran on 22 March rejected MSF efforts to arrange a 48-bed hospital in Isfahan. Well being Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour stated that the nation has over 10,000 hospital beds for COVID-19 sufferers, and that an additional 48 beds wouldn’t do a lot.

“They did not notify the Iranian Health Ministry beforehand, and apparently the talks on the issue had taken place somewhere else and it was presented to us as a fait accompli,” Jahanpour added, cited by Mehr Information company. 

He said that Iran welcomes humanitarian support, besides from the US and Israel. 

The MSF expressed ‘incomprehension’ over Tehran’s rejection, however said that they continue to be able to re-deploy medical provides elsewhere in Iran or in any area the place they’re wanted.

US ‘humanitarian support’

The US repeatedly provided assist to Iran to gradual the outbreak of the coronavirus, however these gives have been rejected. 

“Iranian documents show their health companies have been able to import testing kits without obstacle from US sanctions since January”, Pompeo stated in his assertion on Monday. “The United States has offered over $100 million in medical assistance to foreign countries, including to the Iranian people, and our scientists are working tirelessly to develop a vaccine. Khamenei rejected this offer,” Pompeo claimed, “because he works tirelessly to concoct conspiracy theories and prioritises ideology over the Iranian people”.

Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei identified that the US is struggling far more from the virus, and thus ought to direct sources to these in want in their very own nation, whereas additionally expressing doubt within the sincerity of the US gives.

“Several times Americans have offered to help us to fight the pandemic. That is strange because you face shortages in America. Also you are accused of creating this virus,” stated Khamenei in a message to the nation. “I do not know whether it is true. But when there is such an allegation, can a wise man trust you and accept your help offer?”

Sanctions amidst COVID-19

Sanctions on Iran had been bolstered in 2018 when US President Donald Trump in 2018 withdrew the US from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally referred to as the Joint Complete Plan of Motion (JCPOA).

Russia and China have requested the US to raise sanctions in opposition to Iran, stressing on how necessary it’s for the nation to obtain export revenues to finance important packages, notably amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even within the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Trump administration will not be contemplating lifting sanctions from Iran, even because the White Home has added a new package deal of sanctions associated to Tehran. 

Iran is essentially the most COVID-19-affected area in Center East, with greater than 27,000 instances confirmed with estimated 2,000 fatalities, in response to the World Well being Group