Iranian people suffer US sanctions amid COVID-19 outbreak: Ambassador

The Iranian people are suffering under U.S. sanctions at the time when the novel coronavirus caused damage to their country and these sanctions put a lot of obstacles for Iran's struggle against COVID-19, particularly in acquiring drugs and medical equipment, Iran's Ambassador to Ankara Mohammed Farazmand has told the Hürriyet Daily News.

Calling on the international community to put pressure on the Trump Administration to change its attitude, the ambassador also expressed gratitude to Turkey for the medical aid they sent.

When was the first COVID-19 case was detected in Iran? What is the current situation of the pandemic in your country?

The first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iran were reported on Feb. 19 in Qom. On the same day, despite the fact that the country was on the verge of holding important elections of the parliament, the virus outbreak was announced in a transparent manner to the public, in order to protect public health.

On March 29, 2020, the total number of infections in Iran rose to 38,309. Almost 9,000 people, infected by the coronavirus, have so far recovered and discharged from hospitals. Sadly, COVID-19 has taken the lives of 2,640 people in my country so far. But on the other hand, a great number of people, diagnosed with COVID-19, have been discharged from ICU wards and the number of entry of coronavirus patients to hospitals has registered a significant decline.

What are the measures your government has taken so far? What is the main approach your government has adopted?

Within the framework of the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and in compliance with International Health Standards, Iran has provided their facilities and resources to cope with the...