Iran chief bans import of US, UK COVID-19 vaccines, calls for sanctions finish

Iran’s Supreme Leader on Friday banned the federal government from importing COVID-19 vaccines from the United States and Britain, labelling the Western powers “untrustworthy”, because the an infection spreads within the Middle East’s hardest-hit nation.
In a dwell televised speech, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei raised the prospect of the 2 Western nations, long-time adversaries of the Islamic Republic, probably looking for to unfold the an infection to different nations.
He added nevertheless that Iran may receive vaccines “from other reliable places”. He gave no particulars, however China and Russia are each allies of Iran.
“Imports of U.S. and British vaccines into the country are forbidden … They’re completely untrustworthy. It’s not unlikely they would want to contaminate other nations,” mentioned Khamenei, the nation’s highest authority.
“Given our experience with France’s HIV-tainted blood supplies, French vaccines aren’t trustworthy either,” Khamenei mentioned, referring to the nation’s contaminated blood scandal of the Nineteen Eighties and Nineties.
Khamenei repeated the accusations in a tweet that was eliminated by Twitter together with a message saying it violated the platform’s guidelines towards misinformation.
Iran launched human trials of its first home COVID-19 vaccine candidate late final month, saying it may assist Iran defeat the pandemic regardless of U.S. sanctions that have an effect on its capability to import vaccines.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have risen since 2018, when President Donald Trump deserted a 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions to stress Iran into negotiating stricter curbs on its nuclear program, ballistic missile improvement and help for regional proxy forces.
In retaliation for U.S. sanctions, which had been lifted below the nuclear deal, Tehran has regularly violated the accord. U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, who takes workplace on Jan. 20, has pledged to rejoin the settlement if Tehran additionally returns to full compliance.
Khamenei mentioned Tehran was in no rush for the United States to re-enter the deal, however that sanctions on the Islamic Republic should be lifted instantly.
Iran’s utmost authority, Khamenei dominated out any talks over Tehran’s missile programme and Iran’s involvement within the Middle East, as demanded by the United States and another main powers.
“Contrary to the U.S., Iran’s involvement in the region creates stability and is aimed at preventing instability … Iran’s involvement in the region is definite and will continue.”
Shortly earlier than Khamenei’s speech, Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards unveiled an underground missile base at an undisclosed Gulf location.
The West sees Iran’s missiles each as a traditional navy menace to regional stability and a attainable supply mechanism for nuclear weapons ought to Tehran develop them.
But Iran, which has one of many greatest missile programmes within the Middle East, regards the programme as an necessary deterrent and retaliatory drive towards the United States and different adversaries – primarily Gulf Arabs – within the area within the occasion of struggle.