US Firmly Rejects Requests to Lift Sanctions for Purchasing Medical Supplies

US Announces Additional Sanctions on Iran
Venezuelan President Faces Charges as Drug Terrorist

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads worldwide, there have been calls to temporarily suspend economic sanctions, but the United States has made it clear that it has no intention of changing its existing policy direction. The U.S. announced additional sanctions against Iran and even indicted Venezuelan President Nicol?s Maduro as a drug criminal.

On the 26th (local time), the U.S. government announced additional sanctions against 20 Iranian companies. These Iranian companies were said to have supported the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force. The Quds Force is an elite unit of Iran responsible for supporting armed groups outside Iran.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury stated, "These companies supported terrorist groups that attacked U.S. military bases stationed in Iraq." As a result of these sanctions, all assets of these companies within the U.S. will be frozen, and transactions with U.S. companies will be prohibited.

COVID-19 Patient Beds Prepared by Iranian Military
[Image Source=AP Yonhap News]

Iran criticized the U.S., which maintains sanctions against Iran despite the COVID-19 outbreak, using terms such as "terrorism." Although the number of COVID-19 cases is rapidly increasing, the sanctions by the U.S. are causing difficulties in securing medical supplies.

However, with the U.S. announcing additional sanctions despite Iran's criticism, the possibility of sanction relief seems unlikely.

Additionally, on the same day, the U.S. indicted Venezuelan President Nicol?s Maduro on drug terrorism charges.

The U.S. government charged President Maduro and senior Venezuelan officials with drug terrorism. The charges applied include drug trafficking and money laundering.

Foreign media emphasized that it is unusual for the U.S. to indict a foreign head of state. This indictment is expected to further worsen U.S.-Venezuela relations.

Previously, President Maduro requested the lifting of sanctions to secure medical supplies related to COVID-19.

On the other hand, the international community has voiced that sanctions should be temporarily suspended given the special circumstances. United Nations Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres, in a letter to the leaders of the Group of Twenty (G20), requested, "Now is the time to suspend sanctions so that sanctioned countries can obtain food and essential health supplies," adding, "Now is not the time for exclusion but for solidarity."

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet also stated, "If the pandemic response efforts of certain countries are delayed due to sanctions, the risk to all of us will increase," and said, "At this critical time, sanctions should be partially eased for global equitable health and the lives of countless people living in sanctioned countries."

President Vladimir Putin also proposed at the G20 special video summit, "During the crisis, it is important to create 'green lanes' free from trade wars and sanctions," and suggested, "Let us temporarily lift existing sanctions on countries affected by COVID-19."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.