President Rouhani:

Iran Not in Favor of “Glass of Muddy Water” Offered by US

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described the US offer to help Iran fight against the coronavirus epidemic as a big lie as the harshest sanctions against the country are still in place, saying that Tehran does not want Washington’s “glass of muddy water”.

News ID: 449723

Date: 24 March 2020 - 11:34

RNA - “We are not in a normal economic situation; sanctions that are cruel, illegal and a terrorist action have been imposed by the US on the Iranian people, and unfortunately many problems have been posed to us,” Rouhani said, addressing a cabinet meeting in Tehran on Monday.

“Americans' saying we are ready to help Iran through the hardships of coronavirus is one of the great lies of history, as if someone who has blocked the source of the spring and does not let anyone go to the clear spring, brings a glass of muddy water to offer, saying that he has come to help, since he knows we're thirsty,” he added.

President Rouhani addressed Washington, saying, “If you want to help, get your boots out of the way; you have blocked the origin, you have troubled our crude sales; you have troubled our banking system for food, for raw materials and for employment; part of the unemployment is because of America, part of the hard life of the people is because of America, part of the lack of working capital for factories is because of America, lack of some medicines is because of America, not having a job and living in a state of extreme crisis for some people is because of America.”

“The Americans, who are in charge of the biggest crimes in the region and committed crimes in Iran and terrorism in the true sense of the word, and when their thoughts and underpinnings of their misconduct and terrorism have become more apparent to the world, say we are ready to help in combatting coronavirus. This is the same glass of muddy water, but they do not say that they blocked the main springs on this nation,” he said.

President Rouhani again addressed the US officials, saying, “We do not want your glass of muddy water; step aside, break the barrier, do not harass the nations and companies, buyers, importers and exporters; we know well what to do. Our nation, our businessmen and our doctors are well aware; our scientists are well acquainted.”

Elsewhere, he described the naming of year 1399 as the year of 'Surge in Production' by the Supreme Leader as a good opportunity for the government, producers, private sector and everyone to make greater efforts for boosting production.

"The Supreme Leader of the Revolution wants more powerful and quicker move towards production and the way to do that is to make some infrastructural and quick work,” President Rouhani said.

He also appreciated the overwhelming majority of people for heeding the recommendations of the National Task Force for Fighting Coronavirus.

“This staying at home is the best way to fight coronavirus so that we can return back to normal conditions quicker."

"I would also like to appreciate the dedication of the medical staff, the armed forces and all the producers in the fight against COVID-19; those who are working hard in major water treatment plants to produce health drinking water for people; all those who are trying to provide people with energy, be it power, gas, diesel and petrol; all those who are working in factories and stores providing foodstuff,” he said.

“Of course, there is higher sacrifice by those who are working to save lives in hospitals, and the day-to-day care of the nation's health system, the armed forces, and those who volunteer and donate money or special facilities,” President Rouhani said.

“The Red Crescent, the Armed Forces, the police, Basij, and all those who are working hard for your health ask you not to continue traveling if you do not have normal conditions. I emphasise once again that protecting people's health is the top priority for all authorities and the armed forces, and the entire system. God-willing, our conditions are better than other countries, and even those developed ones and the European ones both in supply of essential needs and hospitals and beds,” he added.

“I would also like to thank the IRIB for informing and educating people and those who are active in the social media to keep people entertained and teach them sports to have fun in their houses. We will overcome these hard days with cooperation, coordination and synergy,” the president said.

He also expressed regret that this year's New Year, the Iranian people were forced to abandon some national and religious traditions and could not go to holy places and attend congregational and Friday prayers and were unable to attend regular annual visits.

Noting that before anything, Islam the religion of health invited everyone to take care of their personal hygiene over 14 centuries ago, he said, “On the national aspect, the one who discovered alcohol was the Iranian scientist Zakaria Razi. He produced a substance that is the ingredient of many disinfectants and the Iranians produced it and made it available to humans.”

“Basically, a large part of the medical science was promoted by the Iranians, including Avicenna and others. So the world is indebted to the culture of Islam and Iranian culture in many scientific and health fields, and we should all appreciate each other at this point.”

“The other point that I want to make here is that in the new year, we must do our best to develop the country. The Supreme Leader has always emphasised economic issues and surge in production, and the government has made every effort last year to boost production,” he said.

“The naming of year 1399 as the year of 'Surge in Production' by the Supreme Leader is a good opportunity for the government, producers, private sector and everyone to make greater efforts for boosting production,” the president said.

“Let's do our best for country's development in new year. This year the year of inaugurating major projects. Ministers should announce their important plans and programmes in various areas for year 1399 in the coming days and weeks.”

“What plans we have regarding our foreign relations until the end of the year; what foreign affairs should do in terms of production, export, the raw materials we need to import will be announced to the people.”

“The Supreme Leader of the Revolution wants more powerful, quicker move towards production and the way to do that is to make some infrastructural and quick work. Reforming the banking system is one of the top priorities for us. People should know that the way to move quicker and more powerful in production is to make some infrastructural and quick work,” the president said.

He noted that surge in production happens through good relations with our friends all over the world for import and export and production is possible with investment, technology and foreign relations, and added, “Banking, customs, tax and other infrastructure are requirements for improving business atmosphere and surge in production.”

His remarks echoed an outcry on national and international levels against US sanctions, with Russia, China, Pakistan, as well as different medical organizations and rights groups urging the administration of US President Donald Trump to lift sanctions against Iran.

The coronavirus COVID-19 is affecting over 170 countries and territories around the world. The virus was first reported in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year. It has so far killed more than 14,900 people and infected over 343,000 others globally.

Iran reported on Monday that a total number of 1,812 coronavirus patients have died and 23,049 cases of infection have been identified in the country so far. Meanwhile, 8,376 people have also recovered.

The Iranian foreign ministry declared that despite Washington’s claims of cooperation to transfer drugs to Iran via the new Swiss-launched payment mechanism, the US is troubling the process amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Although US claims that medicines and medical equipment are not under sanctions, they have practically blocked the transfer of Iran’s financial resources in other countries into the Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement (SHTA), Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi said.

As the death toll from the virus surges, Iran intensifies its preventive safety measures. Closures of schools and universities have been extended for the next two weeks.

The government also imposed travel restrictions, specially on Iran’s north, which is among the red zones. The country has also adopted strict digital health control procedures at airports to spot possible infections.

Health Minister Saeed Namaki announced earlier this month that a new national mobilization plan would be implemented across the country to fight against the coronavirus epidemic and more effectively treat patients.

Namaki said that the plan will include all the 17,000 health centers and the 9,000 medical and clinical centers in all cities, suburban areas and villages.

He added that the plan will include home quarantine, noting that infected people will receive the necessary medicines and advice, but they are asked to stay at home.

According to Fars News Agency, Namaki said that people with a more serious condition will stay at the hospitals, adding that the public places will be disinfected, the entries of infected towns and cities will be controlled to diagnose and quarantine the infected cases.

He added that the necessary equipment and facilities have been provided, expressing the hope that the epidemic would be curbed.

Namaki said that the number of medical laboratories to test coronavirus infection has reached 22, and will increase to 40 soon.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says Iran's response to the virus has so far been up to the mark. Still, it says the US sanctions are a big challenge, and Washington would be complicit in the rising death toll in Iran if it would not remove its sanctions.

The World Health Organization has considered priorities in combating coronavirus and Islamic Republic of Iran obeys and follows up priorities as defined by WHO.

The WHO is dispatching separate delegations to all countries.

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