Iran’s death toll for the novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19, rose to more than 3,200 this week, with the government reporting 134 deaths in just 24 hours.
The Iranian government said it would implement tougher restrictions to try to contain the spread of the virus.
The Trump administration considered easing U.S. sanctions on Iran after it came under fire for issuing fresh rounds of sanctions during the outbreak. The Iranian government told the administration it had missed its chance to lift the sanctions, after Washington went silent on the proposal.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he believed Iranian officials were preparing a military strike on U.S. personnel in Iraq. Trump warned the Iranian government that Iran “will pay” if strikes took place.
Europe sent medical supplies to Iran using a trade mechanism set up to barter food and humanitarian goods. Instex was developed after the U.S. pulled out of the nuclear deal and imposed stinging sanctions on Iran.
And a British Iranian dual national was released from detention in Iran. Kamal Foroughi returned to the UK after being detained in Tehran for nine years on spying charges.
Our thoughts are with everyone in Iran affected by the outbreak. We wish you a safe and healthy weekend.
- The debate over whether U.S. sanctions have been hampering Iran’s ability to fight its COVID-19 outbreak was fueled by the Iranian government this week.
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- The Trump Administration warned Iranian officials not to attack U.S. military personnel in the Middle East, as tensions continued to rise.
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- Iranians celebrate the Persian New Year with indoor picnics.
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- Iranian-Jewish Standup Comedian and Harvard Fellow Noam Shuster-Eliassi is invited to work with Maz Jobrani.
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