U.S. and Europe lying about pharmaceutical sanctions; official
“The US and Europe lie about medical sanctions,” said Head of Iran Export Confederation Mohammad Lahoti.
Speaking to ILNA news agency, the Iranian official added that the US and Europe are lying about not having imposed embargoes on Iran’s purchase of medications and medical equipment.
“We cannot purchase their products because sanctions have restricted our banks in their transactions,” Mohammad Lahoti confirmed.
Referring to coronavirus outbreaks in Iran, the economic activist said “The spread of the virus might easily have a worse economic impact, especially the export sector, and almost all countries closed their borders with Iran.”
He went on to add that so Iran's exports after the health sector were the second industry that was affected by this virus.
He also urged the government for incentives for exporters especially in terms of tax on value-added.
“The government has its supportive package for exporters and he hopes the package would be operationalized, adding that currently the major problem of exporters is the tax on value-added,” Lahoti said.
“But we believe that once the problems are resolved, the export rate will return to its former conditions and continue its positive trend,” head of Iran Export Confederation added.
On Wednesday, Iranian officials accused the Trump administration of “medical terrorism” over U.S.-imposed sanctions that have severely hampered Iran’s ability to respond to the outbreak. Iran has asked the International Monetary Fund for $5 billion in emergency funding.
Iran’s economy was already battered by U.S. sanctions that curb oil and gas exports crucial for government revenues. A slowdown in economic activity caused by the virus outbreak and sustained closure of its borders are expected to lead to a contraction this year, analysts have said.
“In (a) letter to counterparts @HassanRouhani informs how efforts to fight #COVID19 pandemic in Iran have been severely hampered by US sanctions, urging them to cease observing them,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Twitter.
A Health Ministry official, cited by TV on Saturday, put the total number of infections in the country at 12,729.
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