Thread by @HeshmatAlavi

THREAD

1)
#Iran’s coronavirus epidemic
A month after the first two official COVID-19 deaths in Iran, it is obvious that we would not be here if the city of Qom—Iran’s COVID-19 epicenter—were quarantined.
Who objected quarantining Qom?

A morgue in Qom👇

2)
-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei: “Now let’s not exaggerate this issue.”

-President Hassan Rouhani: “We are not quarantining neighborhoods or cities.”

-Health Minister Iraj Haririchi: “Quarantining is practice of before World War I.”

3)
Next question:
Why did not quarantine Qom? Is it an unscientific method?

Senior official in Qom, central #Iran
"We consider this sacred shrine as the House of Cures."

No. Shrines provide huge profits for the regime.

4)
Furthermore, Tehran's Mayor Pirouz Hanachi said:
"We refrained from quarantine measures because based on World Health Organization standards we cannot provide for the people's needs."

So, they resort to a variety of excuses to not pay the expenses of quarantining the cities.

5)
Now why?
Because they don't have the money?
Is it because of sanctions?

No. The regime in Iran has billions of dollars at its disposal.

"... holdings of real estate, corporate stakes and other assets total about $95 billion, Reuters has calculated."
reuters.com/investigates/i…

6)
So, the regime in Iran does have the money.

But not for the Iranian people.

For the regime's strategic depth.

Meaning Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon...

7)
And yet @JZarif says US sanctions are hampering Iran's ability to see to its COVID-19 patients.

Medical aid has never been sanctioned.

And, China is sending aid to Iran as we speak.
-20 mn triple-layer masks
-3 mn N95 masks
-2 mn medical gowns
& ...

8)
Simple questions for Zarif:

-Did "sanctions" prevent Iran’s regime from stopping Mahan Air flights to/from China?

-Did "sanctions" prevent Iran’s regime from quarantining Qom & other COVID-19 hotspots?

9)
Two simple questions:
Why are you exporting masks?
Why don't you send them to Iran's hospitals?

Bushehr airport, southern #Iran
Voice says these boxes are filled with masks for export out of Iran (most likely by the IRGC).

10)
Simple question for Zarif:

Why did #Iran just spend $67 million redecorating the Zeynab Shrine in Damascus, Syria?

Shouldn't that money be used to provide for the Iranian people during the #COVID19 outbreak?

11)
Simple question for Zarif:

The regime ruling Iran didn't have a problem in providing 200 million euros for the IRGC Quds Force, a terrorist-designated group.

And they don’t have money for the people?
en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-khamene…

12)
Simple question for Zarif:

If Iran is suffering from sanctions, how do you explain this warehouse full of supplies?

Shahr-e-Rey, south of Tehran, Iran
Around 28 million gloves found in hoarded medical supplies.

Reuters: reut.rs/2I9tdoP

13)
Simple question for Zarif:

The regime in #Iran, that you represent, is also asking for a $5 billion loan from the IMF.

Why should the world trust Tehran when according to your own senior official 1 billion euros for essential goods were "lost"?
en.radiofarda.com/a/one-billion-…

14)
Simple question for Zarif:

If the regime in Iran doesn't have money to provide for Iranians suffering from COVID-19, how come Iran-backed militias continue to launch rocket attacks in Iraq?

Shouldn't that funding be used to provide for ill Iranians?
washingtonpost.com/national-secur…

15)
Conclusion:

The regime in Iran can provide for the Iranian people.

It chooses not to due to other priorities that are necessary to keep its own rule in tact.

Foreign aid into Iran will not reach the Iranian people.

And sanctions should not be lifted off the regime.