Iran can help US fight COVID-19 but we don’t need their help, says commander

The head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Major General Hossein Salami, has said his country is capable of helping the American people fight the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19, but has stressed that the Islamic Republic does not require any assistance from the US.

Salami made the remarks yesterday whilst on the sidelines of Iran’s biological defence drills in reaction to announcements by various US officials including the President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Washington was ready to provide assistance to Tehran in fighting the outbreak.

“When Americans say they want to help the Iranian nation under these conditions, it is nothing but demagogy,” said Salami.

His comments echoed those of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, who said on Sunday that messages from the US to help Iran were “strange” due to shortages Americans are suffering themselves and mentioned there were claims that the US had been accused of spreading the virus, saying “I do not know whether it is true. But when there is such an allegation, can a wise man trust you and accept your help offer?”

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The IRGC commander’s comments also come amid revelations that the US has now overtaken China as the most affected country in the world, with figures collated by John Hopkins University claiming over 85,500 positive tests, despite President Trump stating the nation would get back to work “pretty quickly.”

“Because of shortages, we will need to be careful with resources. Patients who have the best chance of getting better are our first priority. Patients will be evaluated for the best plan of care and dying patients will be provided comfort care.” https://t.co/6uxoxjHY9A

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 27, 2020

There are also reports of nationwide shortages of medication touted as possible, unproven treatments for COVID-19, leading some doctors to stockpile the drugs for family, friends and themselves, reported Huffington Post.

READ: US imposes fresh sanctions on Iranian individuals, companies