phone:+92 51 9203967
  email:irspak@comsats.net.pk

Iran
Weekly Contemporary Developments


1 - 30 April, 2020

  • Iran, China cooperating to fight corona virus
    The spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran said that the Iranian and Chinese scientists are cooperating in fighting against the potentially deadly corona virus. Mousavi said, “We thank those countries that helped us as much as they could and hope the virus will be eradicated as soon as possible and that we will be able to help other countries”. Iran Daily, April 02, 2020
  • Biden calls for sanctions relief for Iran during corona virus pandemic
    Former Vice President Joe Biden called for the government to ease its sanctions on Iran as the country struggles to contain an exploding corona virus outbreak. Biden said in a statement “In times of global crisis, America should lead. We should be the first to offer help to people who are hurting or in danger. That’s who we are. That’s who we’ve always been. And, in the midst of this deadly pandemic that respects no borders, the United States should take steps to offer what relief we can to those nations hardest hit by this virus — including Iran — even as we prioritize the health of the American people”. Tehran Times, April 03, 2020
  • Iranian parliament speaker tests positive for corona virus
    Ali Larijani, Iran’s parliament speaker, has tested positive for the corona virus. The public relations department of the Majlis announced that, “Following certain symptoms, he was tested for the corona virus and since the test was positive, he is now in quarantine and under treatment”. Tehran Times, April 03, 2020
  • Military chief: If U.S. makes slightest move against Iran it will face the ‘most fierce response’ Iran’s armed forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri said that Iran has no intention to attack U.S. forces in the region but warned if the Americans have an “ill will against our country’s security” or make the slightest move against Iran “they will face our most fierce reactions”. Tehran Times, April 03, 2020
  • Zarif says Iran does not need charity from Trump
    Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has tweeted “Iran is rich in human & natural resources. We don’t need charity from @realDonaldTrump —who’s forced to buy ventilators from sources he’s sanctioned”. He added, “What we want is for him to STOP preventing Iran from selling oil & other products, buying its needs & making & receiving payments”. Tehran Times, April 08, 2020
  • US anti-Iran sanctions putting whole region in danger: Zardari
    Chairman of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari warned that “inhuman” US sanctions are putting Iranian nation and the people of whole region in danger amid the corona virus pandemic. He said, “Internationally we have seen that for the past five to ten years the world moved away from multilateralism and towards more popular nationalism at a time when the world needs to be cooperating as far as the supplying chains for what we need to deal with the emergency of the pandemic and eventually we hope for a vaccine”. Iran Daily, April 13, 2020
  • U.S. has no right to impede IMF loan to Iran: government
    Government spokesperson Ali Rabiei said that the United States has no right to prevent the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from giving loan to Iran. He said in a press conference, “From the legal point of view, the United States is not in the position to obstruct the legal performance of institutions and international organizations”. He added, “The United States must understand that the international institutions are not its property”. Tehran Times, April 14, 2020
  • Ambassador says Iran expects India, world to stand up against sanctions
    The Iranian ambassador to New Delhi has said; the Islamic Republic expects India and the rest of the international community to stand against the “unjust” U.S. sanctions that are hurting millions of Iranians amid the Covid-19 crisis. Tehran Times, April 16, 2020
  • Iran ready to share military tactics with neighboring countries: Admiral Khanzadi
    Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi announced his country’s full readiness to expand military cooperation with neighboring countries, Iran Press reported. He visited a naval fleet north of Iran on Wednesday noted the powerful presence of the Northern Fleet in the world's largest lake (the Caspian Sea) as an important issue. He said the Caspian Sea is a sea of peace and friendship and the Iranian Navy can share its military tactics with its neighbors in the region. Iran Daily, April 16, 2020
  • Army ready to counter biological threats: general
    Brigadier General Ahmad reza Pourdastan, head of the Iranian Army’s Strategic Studies, has said the Army is ready to counter biological threats posed against Iran. He said, “We had developed this capacity in ourselves and today we have materialized this capacity in practice” ISNA reported. He added; the Army has gained experience to fight biological wars since the outbreak of the corona virus in Iran whereas General Hassan Araghizadeh said in an interview with Mehr “Every country is considering this matter to see the likelihood of any biological warfare behind the issue”. Tehran Times, April 21, 2020