139 deaths Friday. And Ehsan Hadadi, Iran’s first Olympic track and field medallist, has tested positive for coronavirus it was reported today. Hadadi, who throws discus, became a national hero when he won silver at the 2012 Olympics in London. He was among the favourites to win gold at this year’s Tokyo Games. “Athletics: Iran Olympic discus trailblazer Hadadi has coronavirus,” Reuters, March 28, 2020.
See also, “Iranian officials ordered killing of dissident in Istanbul – Reuters,” Ahval News, March 28, 2020. See also, “ Iranian diplomats instigated killing of dissident in Turkey, officials say,” Jerusalem Post, March 28, 2020.
Fars News Agency had quoted Dr, Soleimani as claiming that he has developed the medicine for coronavirus. Instead, Soleimani said the report is untrue. Instead, he is researching a stem cell therapy to modify the immune response in corona patients. “Iranian Scientist Denies Developing COVID-19 Drug,” IFP, March 28, 2020.
There is something wrong with this narrative. If the first story is true, that the health system is ready, then why start to commit one-fifth of the national budget to fight the virus? First, “Iran’s health system strong, ready for possible escalation in coronavirus cases: Rouhani,” Reuters, March 28, 2020. Then see, “Iran to use 20% of state budget to fight coronavirus,” Reuters, March 28, 2020.
The basic question this blog continues to ask is, Will Iran decide to act as a normal country or continue as a revolutionary state? For a number of years Russia and China have facilitated and encouraged Iran to not act as the former but as the later. This continues today. “US Pushes Back Against Russian, Chinese, Iranian Coronavirus Disinformation,” Nike Ching and Jeff Seldin, VOA, March 27, 2020. See also, “’False narratives’: State Department warns of coronavirus echo chamber by China, Russia, and Iran,” Jerry Dunleavy, Washington Examiner, March 28, 2020.
“Iranian Singers Giving Online Concerts to Lift People’s Spirits amid Lockdown,” IFP, March 28, 2020. Concerts every night for two weeks have now started in the empty concert hall of Tehran’s Milad Tower. Viewers can watch the live programs online via the TVA Video on Demand each night. Notably, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance issued the permits for these concerts.
In the category of we will believe it when we see it. “Zaghari-Ratcliffe considered for clemency in Iran as leave from prison extended: Reports,” Middle East Eye, March 28, 2020.
“Iran Health Official Says Coronavirus Present In Iran Since Late-January,” Radio Farda, March 28, 2020. Notable because the official government has been two weeks later.
“Iran: Containing COVID-19 Depends on Political Change Before International Aid,” Iran News Update, March 28, 2020.
“Most Gas Stations In Iran Might Shut Down Due To Lack Of Demand,” Radio Farda, March 28, 2020.
“Iranian news agencies for the first time revealed the names of IRGC Ground Force’s 10 Regional Headquarters on Thursday. These 10 headquarters, along with the Sarallah HQ in Tehran, constitute the IRGC’s nationwide network of operational command. Individual headquarters and their commanders were known to experts, but this was the first time all the headquarters mentioned together offering a glimpse of the bigger picture. The information was revealed as the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament (Majles) Ali Larijani and IRGC Chief Commander Hossein Salami reviewed a nationwide biological defence exercise by the IRGC ground force. The exercise was part of Iran’s coronavirus prevention and control effort.” See “Regional Headquarters Of The IRGC: Tasked With Asymmetrical Warfare; Crushing Dissent,” Morad Vaisibiame, Radio Farda, March 28, 2020.
Sadjadpour is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and he writes and speaks on Iran and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. “Iran’s Coronavirus Disaster,” Karim Sadjadpour, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace—Quick Take, March 25, 2020.