Iran, China condemn illegal US sanctions that bar fight against virus

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has announced Iran and China’s condemnation of the US regime's illegal sanctions on the Islamic Republic as the country is doing its best to bring under control a deadly outbreak of new coronavirus, known as COVID-19.

“I am very delighted to have spoken to my old friend Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister and State Councilor,” Zarif tweeted in Chinese on Thursday, referring to the phone conversation that took place between the top diplomats a day earlier.

“I thanked China for sending over aid and a medical team to help Iran’s confrontation with the coronavirus, and [we] condemned the illegal US sanctions that act as a big obstacle in the way of Iran’s efforts to battle the virus,” he added. 

According to the Iranian foreign minister, the conversation also featured issues of common interest such as deepening of the comprehensive strategic collaboration between the countries and the subject of peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Also on Wednesday, Zarif posted another tweet, hitting out at the US for deciding earlier to halt funding to the World Health Organization amid the pandemic, saying the world might now better realize Tehran’s long experience of bearing the brunt of Washington’s deadly bullying.

“The world is learning what Iran has known & experienced all along: US regime's bullying, threatening & vainglorious blathering isn’t just an addiction: it kills people,” he wrote.

“Like "maximum pressure" against Iran, the shameful defunding WHO amid a pandemic will live in infamy,” he added.

SS