Moscow & Beijing - Lift Sanctions On Iran Over Coronavirus Epidemic

Some are calling our sanctions on Iran at a time when they are trying to fight the virus as mass murder, and that will only harden their resolve against the US. Iran is the fourth hardest-hit country in the world, with more than 20,000 registered cases of Coronavirus and 1,556 fatalities.

Earlier this week Beijing asked the US to please lift the sanctions against Tehran, as they are hampering the country's efforts to contain the outbreak, and today Moscow also asked Washington to do the humane thing and to life the sanctions so Iran will be able to contain the virus.​

"We called and are calling on the United States to abandon the inhumane practice of applying unilateral sanctions against Iran, which has an acute shortage of means to solve urgent health issues in the current situation of the spread of the coronavirus," Ryabkov said.


https://sputniknews.com/world/20200...anctions-against-iran-amid-covid-19-pandemic/​

 

I would agree with them,Iran is clearly suffering under the corona virus, there is no point in kicking them when they are down.

 

My first reaction is to agree. But if Iran uses the resources to fund terrorist wars and further their nuclear program while their people continue to suffer and die from the virus, then we would be fools.

 

Temporary lifting of sanctions, I'd be for that but there has to be some accountability to ensure that those in need are being helped.

 

I too would be for it, conditionally. There is a point beyond which it's continuation is just pure cruelty to regular Iranian citizens, more so than it already was.

It has the real possibility of being an olive branch upon which meaningful peace could be built on. Obviously we would still need to be vigilant to make sure that was actually the case should things go that way, I still feel it's a possibility not worth ignoring.

 

@Jeannette


How about N. Korea, eh

 

Yeah, I can't see how these sanctions are justified currently. They could immediately be reapplied once this thing is over.

 

I read that Trump called Kim and said he would help him. Yeah right! Let's see?

 

Iran earned their sanctions and there is absolutely no way they could provide proof that they wouldn't abuse it...

 

Sanctions are terrorism and hurt the most vulnerable. Trump has blood on his hands.

 

More fake and distorted news, yay.

https://financialtribune.com/articl...wiss-trade-channel-for-iran-fully-operational

The US sanctions allow for humanitarian aid to reach Iran. However, should the sanctions be lifted completely, there's no international mechanism that would ensure the use of resources for humanitarian purposes. Transparency and accountability are not the hallmarks of theocracies.

 

I think Iran is fighting for its life. Sanctions are very unsporting in this situation.

 

Wrong

 

If I thought that the needed help would reach ordinary citizens, I'd very much agree with you. However, I'm quite sure - based on first hand experience with dictatorial regimes - that most resources obtained by Iran as a result of lifting sanctions will serve to strengthen the regime and further its hegemonic ambitions.

My post was not about sanctions though, it was about dissemination of fake news falsely accusing the US of criminal conduct.

 

Firstly lifting sanctions now wouldn't magically make the Iranian government suddenly more competent or capable of dealing with virus outbreak now than it was prior to the outbreak occurring (i.e. almost totally inept - if media reports are to be believed.)

Secondly I'd don't believe medical supplies are covered by sanctions but even if they were the horse has well and truly bolted re: trying to contain the spread of the virus in Iran. So all anyone could do is allow them to import whatever medical supplies they can find - while every other country on the planet tries to do the same thing.

It would of course be a different story once a vaccine or drug combo that treats the infection is discovered, then the world can and will pile in with assistance (once their own populations are covered) but that is a few months away at best. So what exactly will lifting sanctions do? Apart from depressing oil prices even more than they are already.

 

When Pompeo and Trump say "hell no", those with open minds will understand that the US is very much NOT a force for good in this world.

Some will realize that China and Russia are far more humane than the US government.

 

Bummer for Iran.

Had they beaten their swords into plowshares then perhaps they would have been better able to deal with the illness.

I almost, but not quite, care.

 

The UN is considering taking action against the US for crimes against humanity and genocide for its actions against Iran and Venezuela not least increasing them against countries it has had under siege when there was a Pandemic.

https://thegrayzone.com/2020/03/20/...venezuela-during-pandemic-could-be-genocidal/

 

Had we and Israel beaten our swords into plowshares, this whole damn Covid-19 thing might not be happening.

 

Did they heck. It is your country that is in the wrong here on absolutely every level. Hopefully you can be brought to the ICC.

 

Glad you liked it Bob. A bit too much truth, eh?

 

The left & truth have never met.

 

The truth is suppressed at every turn in this country, and others.

As Bill Casey noted in 1981, when everything the American people believe is false, we will know the success of our misinformation efforts.

Simple minds buy into that Left-Right Paradigm, but life is a little more complex than that simple view.

 

How so? Be specific...