Iran President: "We Handled COVID-19 Better Than the US and Europe... Also Fighting Sanctions Virus"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Iranian President Hassan Rouhani claimed that Iran is responding more effectively to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) than Western countries. He emphasized that despite U.S. sanctions, Iran is overcoming difficulties without panic buying or hoarding.

According to local media such as Tehran Times on the 12th (local time), President Rouhani said at the National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control meeting held that day, "We are fighting not only the coronavirus but also the virus called sanctions."

President Rouhani said, "They (the West) do not have the sanctions virus," adding, "Nevertheless, we are fighting these two viruses more effectively than the U.S. and Europe." He said, "I do not want to compare, but it is inevitable. Just looking at the COVID-19 fatality rate, ours is about 5-7%, while some European countries have rates over 22%."

President Rouhani also praised, "Unlike them, who have no goods due to hoarding, we have more abundant food and daily necessities than ever before," and "The Iranian people are helping and relying on each other, strongly resisting the virus." He added, "If I say Iran’s situation is better, they will get angry, but that is the reality. We are better now."

As of that day, the number of confirmed cases in Iran exceeded 71,000, with 44,000 recovered. The death toll was reported at 4,474. In terms of confirmed cases, Iran has fewer than the U.S., Spain, Italy, France, Germany, the U.K., and other major European countries.

As the increase in confirmed cases somewhat slowed, the Iranian government allowed work in "low-risk sectors" where people do not gather starting the day before. President Rouhani said, "Low-risk sector businesses have resumed, but hygiene rules and social distancing must be strictly observed," adding, "Various events and gatherings during the upcoming Ramadan (Islamic fasting month) may also be canceled."

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