Pakistani soldiers on the closed Iran border in Taftan (AFP/File)
Facing a crippled economy, Iran seeks to reopen borders with neighboring countries amid the Coronavirus outbreak.
President Hassan Rouhani spoke Friday about talks with leaders of the countries about “willingness to resume border exchanges and transportation of goods”. He instructed the Roads and Urban Development Minister to make necessary arrangements.
The Government proclaimed on Tuesday that goods have started to move across land borders with Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and that maritime routes have resumed with the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman.
“Only the border with Turkmenistan remains closed,” said spokesman Ali Rabiei.
Following China, Iran was an epicenter of the outbreak in February. However, with the regime slow to respond as it claimed a “Western plot” to spread fear, neighboring countries blocked movement of people and goods.
The Health Ministry reported on Friday that Iran’s death toll is 6,091, an increase of 6,091. The official number of cases is 95,646, continuing to rise at about 1,000 per day.
But with oil exports sharply reduced and a fall in other trade and investment, the International Monetary is projecting an 11% contraction in Iranian GDP this year, on top of a 7.6% fall in 2019. The Supreme Leader has called for a year of “Surge in Production” despite the virus.
The Government has ordered the reopening of “low-risk” businesses. Last weekend Rouhani divided the country into white, yellow, and red zones for phased resumption of activity.
On Friday, Rouhani emphasized completion of unfinished initiatives, saying “necessary measures should be taken to complete the projects with more than 80% physical progress”.
He said four million tons of basic goods, currently at customs, must be released as soon as possible.
“Tehran Seeks Renewal of Border Trade”
Oh shit! mullahs are winning hearts and minds of muslim neighbours.
Or is it that they even don’t give a fart to khamenei calls.