Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on the 9th that U.S. sanctions have made it difficult for Iran to obtain the drugs and materials needed to deal with the coronavirus epidemic, including vaccines.
The Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency quoted Rouhani as reporting that the Iranian government is doing its utmost to buy vaccines from overseas and distribute them to high-risk groups as soon as possible.
Donald Trump’s U.S. government unilaterally announced its withdrawal from the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue in May 2018, and then put “extreme pressure” on Iran, restarting and adding a series of severe sanctions.
The Associated Press reported that Iran has a population of more than 80 million and plans to buy 20 million doses of vaccine. Although the United States claims that drugs and humanitarian supplies are not included in sanctions, the severe sanctions it imposes still make financial institutions and enterprises worried about punitive measures by the United States.
Iran has more than 1 million confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 50,000 deaths. Iran said it was promoting the development of domestic vaccines. ( Chen Lixi) [Xinhua News Agency Micro-Special Article]
