Khamenei Responsible for Turning Coronavirus into a National Catastrophe

Dozens of university professors and political and civil activists have issued a statement holding Khamenei and his conspiracy-driven approach responsible for the escalating coronavirus outbreak in Iran, calling Rouhani his follower and obedient subordinate in covering up the crisis.

One hundred university professors and political and social activists, pointing to the death of one Iranian every ten minutes from coronavirus, have attributed the rapid spread of the disease and loss of citizens’ lives to the initial cover-ups by the Islamic Republic government and its security forces, challenging Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s conspiracy-driven approach.

In this statement, it is written that the lives of every Iranian citizen have become hostages of the system’s leader, his advisors, and military-security forces: “…We witness the highest and most powerful official of the government, through whom all major decisions are made, defending a ridiculous theory of biological terrorism with a conspiracy-driven outlook to justify the unwise decision to reject some international aid. In the midst of this crisis, where the system’s leader even drags conscripts into confrontation with his eternal enemies, the assistance of Doctors Without Borders is rejected. And at a time when funeral ceremonies are banned for all citizens, military personnel under the leader’s command hold a funeral ceremony in the city center for the coronavirus death of the IRGC commander, and with contempt for citizens’ intelligence, they deceitfully call this action spontaneous.”

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, in his latest television speech which replaced his Nowruz address, described the coronavirus as made by America with the intention of striking Iran. Rejecting foreign aid, he stated: “…America may send products to Iran under the guise of drug assistance that would make the virus permanent.”

The statement signatories write that the “obedient government” has also followed this same policy and despite warnings from health and medical officials, it does not take necessary measures: “…In all this, the Iranian people and the country’s dedicated medical personnel pay the price for this kind of foolishness and incompetence. Regarding low-income groups, so far they have been given nothing but promises… Everywhere in the world, politicians have listened to the words and guidance of specialists. In Iran, however, these experts must listen to the directives and guidance of political and military officials.”

Iran’s Health Ministry reported the latest death toll from coronavirus until Sunday, the 10th of Farvardin, as 2,640 people, while the compilation of mortality statistics from provinces and information from independent media outlets and eyewitnesses show a figure at least double this number.

The statement, referring to three priorities—preventing rapid virus spread, solving the problem of financial resources and equipment shortages, and financial support for vulnerable groups—raises the question of whether the resources of the currency reserve fund, which belongs to all Iranian people, should be spent on the Quds Force or on preserving the health of the people.

The statement authors ask: “Can a government that suppresses the smallest public protest not control and minimize intra-city and inter-city travel? Should the capital of institutions such as Astane Qods, the Foundation of the Oppressed, and the Executive Headquarters of the Imam only be spent on Arbaeen marches and the residence of the Supreme Leader?”

Preventing international aid to the Iranian people, creating obstacles to the release of political prisoners, arresting journalists and social media activists, promoting superstition in state radio and television instead of public awareness are among the points raised in this statement.

The statement authors have said that the Supreme Leader and other top government officials are spending time under the best quarantine conditions and asked: “…Why did the Supreme Leader immediately intervene in the matter of gasoline price increases, which aimed to impose budgetary problems on the people, and silence all critics including some traditional reference authorities, but in a crisis that has targeted people’s lives, why has the system’s leader remained opportunistically silent in the face of superstitious reactionaries who wasted weeks of crucial time for closing gatherings and quarantining Qom?”

The signatories have asked citizens to, in the absence of a responsible, efficient, and truthful government, regard medical and health professionals and employees as their reference in shaping their daily behaviors and to consider safety warnings and maximum reduction of travel outside homes. People have been invited to cooperate as much as possible with fellow citizens with low incomes who have been harmed by quarantines, business closures, and severely reduced movement.

Amir Mombini, Kazem Alamdari, Faraj Sarkohi, Abdolali Bazargan, Farzaneh Bazarpour, Maryam Sattout, Nahid Qajar, Reza Alijani, Mansoureh Shajaeei, Esfandiar Tabari, and Ahmad Alavi are among the signatories of this statement.

Source: DW