{"id":215853,"date":"2020-04-10T11:20:07","date_gmt":"2020-04-10T10:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=215853"},"modified":"2023-01-23T07:19:09","modified_gmt":"2023-01-23T06:19:09","slug":"editorial-resuming-economic-activities-or-massacring-people-of-iran-with-coronavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/editorial\/editorial-resuming-economic-activities-or-massacring-people-of-iran-with-coronavirus\/","title":{"rendered":"EDITORIAL: Resuming Economic Activities or Massacring People of Iran With Coronavirus?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Editorial-NCRI\"<\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>Iranian regime\u2019s supreme leader, in his remarks on April 9, regarding the announced decision of regime\u2019s president, Hassan Rouhani<\/a><\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0to resume business activities, said: \u201cThe Coronavirus is a minor issue compared to many other problems<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0Therefore<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0it shouldn\u2019t divert our attention from the conspiracies of our enemies. The arrogant states\u2019 problem is with the Islamic Republic\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span>its entirety.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Health experts warn that a rather quick return to\u00a0<\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>normal situation c<\/span>ould<\/span>\u00a0lead to very serious casualties and even up to\u00a0<\/span>two<\/span>\u00a0million deaths<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0The situation is s<\/span>o\u00a0<\/span>critical that even Rouhani\u2019s Health Minister, Said Namaki<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0warned that we have not controlled the virus<\/span>:<\/span>\u00a0\u201c<\/span>We s<\/span>trongly announce that any kind of fire at will decision by any governmental, non-governmental, cultural<\/span>\u00a0or<\/span> religious institutions which is not confirmed [by the government] will immediately affect the healthcare system and subsequently\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>country\u2019s economy.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The mullahs\u2019 regime pursues a\u00a0<\/span>dual-track\u00a0<\/span>policy. In its foreign relations, the regime is trying to depict U.S. sanctions\u00a0<\/a><\/span>as responsible\u00a0<\/span>for paralyzing\u00a0<\/span>it<\/span>s actions in combating the coronavirus, <\/span>claiming, therefore,<\/span>\u00a0sanctions should be lifted. But in its domestic policy, the regime, by downplaying the issue, tries to prevent a social and economic crisis that could lead to a popular uprising and rebellion against the regime.\u00a0<\/span>For the regime, t<\/span>his<\/span>\u00a0is<\/span>\u00a0the bigger concern, compar<\/span>ed<\/span>\u00a0to which, the coronavirus is a minor issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

With Inconsistent Message on Coronavirus, #Iran<\/a>\u2019s Regime Makes a Poor Case for Sanctions Relief – NCRI https:\/\/t.co\/Lt7IdPQSeU<\/a> @NCRIUS<\/a> @statedeptspox<\/a> @SecPompeo<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ali Safavi (@amsafavi) April 3, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n