Iran Strong Enough to Withstand Sanctions, COVID-19: President

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Iranian nation has proved to be powerful enough to deal with the pressures of sanctions and the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, President Hassan Rouhani said, reminding the enemies that Iranians will never be brought to their knees.

Addressing a Saturday session of the Coronavirus Fight National Headquarters, Rouhani said the great Iranian nation has proved that it has enough power and capability to deal with the pressures by withstanding the heightened sanctions over the past two years and a couple of month and tackling the coronavirus disease during the past five months. 

“This great nation has proved very well that it will never be brought to its knees in the face of the enemies’ pressures and excessive demands,” he underlined, saying the Iranian people can address every problem with determination, cooperation and rapport.

He also described Iran’s resistance to the US government’s bullying policies as a reflection of the “culture of Ashura”, stressing that Iranians will commemorate the anniversary of martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shiite Imam, in compliance with the health protocols.

The mourning events in commemoration of Imam Hussein (AS) must be held across the country magnificently and in strict conformity with the health protocols to contain the spread of COVID-19, the president underlined.

This year, the mourners must wear face masks, observe the social distancing regulations, and refrain from forming crowds, Rouhani added.

The mourning ceremonies in the lunar month of Muharram (to start on August 21) must be held with detailed planning in Iran, in such a way that they would not provide any pretext for the enemies and that the rituals would become a model for other countries and Shiite Muslims who hold mourning ceremonies in commemoration of Imam Hussein (AS), the president said.

In remarks on Thursday, Rouhani said a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in Iran has been a result of insufficient attention to the health protocols, not the resumption of economic and social activities.

The surge in the COVID-19 cases was a result of failure to observe the health regulations fully and strictly, he said, adding that the assumption that the virus has gotten weaker and the move to hold gatherings and parties, such as wedding ceremonies and mourning events, resulted in a rise in the infection cases.