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US Officials Accuse Iran of Covering Up Extent of Coronavirus Outbreak, Stealing Medical Funds

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The State Department on Monday accused Iran’s leadership of lying to its people about the coronavirus outbreak and covering up information, thus putting people worldwide at risk.

In a statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo listed the ways the Iranian authorities have contributed to the global spread of COVID-19, including by lying to the public about the true scale of the crisis in the country and continuing flights to China as the virus was spreading.

“The regime continues to lie to the Iranian people and the world about the number of cases and deaths, which are unfortunately far higher than the regime admits,” Pompeo said.

Pompeo also accused the Iranian regime of stealing money intended for medical supplies and hoarding equipment such as masks and gloves to sell on the black market.

The State Department’s Monday statement is just the latest in the feud between Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Trump administration regarding who is to blame for the coronavirus’ spread in Iran.

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In televised comments on Sunday, Khamenei said the United States’ offer to send aid to Iran could not be trusted because America “may” have created the coronavirus, The Washington Post reported.

“I do not know how real this accusation is, but when it exists, what wise man would trust you to bring them medication?” Khamenei said.

“Possibly your medicine is a way to spread the virus more.”

“You might send people as doctors and therapists, and maybe they would want to come here and see the effect of the poison they have produced in person,” he added.

Do you think the U.S. should be offering Iran help?

He also said that any help should be spent on the United States itself because of its failures to stop the spread in the country.

“You have shortages yourself,” he said. “Statements by American officials … are explicitly saying they have major shortages, both in terms of preventive equipment and also medicine.”

State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said Khamenei’s “conspiracy theories … are harmful, irresponsible, and 100% false.”

“If the so-called Supreme Leader were a true leader, he’d return the billions in his tax-free hedge fund back to the Iranian people to deal with the virus outbreak,” she tweeted.

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Iran has also blamed sanctions imposed by the Trump administration for the difficulties it is facing in confronting the virus.

“If they want to help Iran, all they need to do is to lift sanctions,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech Monday. “Then we can deal with the coronavirus.”

Pompeo countered that by saying the sanctions do not target imports of food, medicine and medical equipment.

“Iranian documents show their health companies have been able to import testing kits without obstacle from U.S. sanctions since January,” he said.

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Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.
Birthplace
Tucson, Arizona
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated with Honors
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon
Books Written
Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future
Location
Prescott, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, French
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Health, Entertainment, Faith




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