COVID-19: Pompeo hints at easing Iran sanctions amid coronavirus pandemic

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday, March 31, mentioned possibilities of United States considering easing down its sanctions on Iran amid coronavirus pandemic. This comes as US reported 185,673 cases of dely virus with 3,788 cases of death. Previously,  country h imposed sanctions on Iran after President Trump abandoned Tehran’s 2015 multilateral deal in a bid to limit  Islamic nation's nuclear program.

Speaking to International media, Pompeo said that “humanitarian and medical supplies” are exempt from sanctions. However, he ackwledged that broer sanctions may deter many companies to involve in any kind of humanitarian tre with Iran.

On being furr asked if country could change its stance on easing sanctions, Pompeo said that y're evaluated all ir policies constantly and y could always re-evaluate ir decision on Iran sanctions. 

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COVID-19 in Iran

Iran is one of worst-hit coronavirus infected countries in world and Iranian authorities have alrey resisted a nationwide lockdown. Iran's First Vice President, Eshaq Jahangiri in a televised public dress said that ‘if necessary, we might impose tougher measures as our priority is nation’s safety and health”.

Earlier this week, Iranian authorities even reportedly said that y have started mass production of ‘highly accurate’ coronavirus testing kits that could produce results within three hours. 

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Currently, Iran has t taken any strict quarantine action, although government has repeatedly urged its citizens to stay confined to ir houses in a bid to curb spre of infection. However, after weeks of refraining mselves from imposing lockdown or quarantine measures, Tehran decided on March 25 to ban all intercity travel until at least till April 8.

Without imposing an official lockdown, authorities urged people to stay at home ‘as much as possible’. Schools and universities in some provinces were closed in late February and measure was later extended to whole country.

On a positive te, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he h been told by top health experts and doctors that "in some provinces, we have passed peak of epidemic and are on a downward trajectory”.

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Im Credits: AP