Sanctions against Iran and Venezuela during a pandemic are cruel
Vijay Prashad | zcomm.org | 2020-03-18
Source: Independent Media Institute Swiftly moves the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), dashing across continents, skipping over oceans, terrifying populations in every country. The numbers of those infected rises, as do the numbers of those who have died. Hands are being washed, tests are being done, social distancing has become a new phrase. It is unclear how Read…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/sanctions-against-iran-and-venezuela-during-a-pandemic-are-cruel/

12 Ways the U.S. Invasion of Iraq Lives on in Infamy
Medea Benjamin, Nicolas J. S. Davies | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-18
While the world is consumed with the terrifying coronavirus pandemic, on March 19 the Trump administration will be marking the 17th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq by ramping up the conflict there. After an Iran-aligned militia allegedly struck a U.S. base near Baghdad on March 11, the U.S. military carried out retaliatory strikes…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/18/12-ways-the-u-s-invasion-of-iraq-lives-on-in-infamy/

Stop Tightening the Thumb Screws: A Humanitarian Message
Kathy Kelly | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-03-18
Protester's sign decries sanctions, "a silent war" (Photo Credit: Campaign for Peace and Democracy, 2013) U.S. sanctions against Iran, cruelly strengthened in March of 2018, continue a collective punishment of extremely vulnerable people. Presently, the U.S. "maximum pressure" policy severely undermines Iranian efforts to cope with the ravages of COVID-19, causing hardship and tragedy while …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/03/stop-tightening-the-thumb-screws-a-humanitarian-message/

Stop Tightening the Screws: a Humanitarian Message on Sanctions
Kathy Kelly | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-18
U.S. sanctions against Iran, cruelly strengthened in March of 2018, continue a collective punishment of extremely vulnerable people. Presently, the U.S. "maximum pressure" policy severely undermines Iranian efforts to cope with the ravages of COVID-19, causing hardship and tragedy while contributing to the global spread of the pandemic. On March 12, 2020, Iran's Foreign Minister…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/18/stop-tightening-the-screws-a-humanitarian-message-on-sanctions/

Stop Tightening the Thumb Screws, A Humanitarian Message
Kathy Kelly | zcomm.org | 2020-03-18
U.S. sanctions against Iran, cruelly strengthened in March of 2018, continue a collective punishment of extremely vulnerable people…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/stop-tightening-the-thumb-screws-a-humanitarian-message/

Curveball–Germany's role in the Iraq war–and the horrors of the concentration camp in Persian Lessons
wsws.org | 2020-03-18
Johannes Naber's film is a political satire rooted firmly in evidence researched by the director and his team. Vadim Perelman's work follows a man who has to invent an entire language to survive.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/18/berl-m18.html

Iran Temporarily Frees 85,000 Inmates As Pandemic Worsens
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-18
Iran has temporarily freed about 85,000 people from jail in response to the coronavirus epidemic, a judiciary spokesman said Tuesday. | RELATED: | Senior Iranian Cleric Reported Dead After Coronavirus Infection | "So far, some 85,000 prisoners have been released … Also in the prisons we have taken precautionary measures to confront the outbreak," judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said. | Asked whether prisoners over so-called "political reasons" were among those free…
telesurenglish.net/news/Iran-Temporarily-Frees-85000-Inmates-As-Pandemic-Worsens–20200317-0023.html

Rouhani vows Iran will take further action to avenge US assassination of Soleimani
rt.com | 2020-03-18
Iran's armed forces have valiantly defended their country against the United States, which has not yet been fully held accountable for its killing of General Qassem Soleimani, President Hassan Rouhani has said. | In a televised speech, Rouhani praised his country's military for having "stood firm" against the US, state media reported. He said that notable advances have been made in Iran's air defense capabilities, and that the Islamic Republic now boasts a strong military deterrence. | The Iranian leader also pledged to take further faction to avenge the US assassination of Soleimani, who was killed by a targe…
rt.com/news/483397-rouhani-iran-soleimani-revenge-military/

Russian senator calls for ALL unilateral SANCTIONS to be lifted to prevent coronavirus causing global economic crisis
rt.com | 2020-03-18
The spread of Covid-19 may send the global economy into a lengthy recession, but lifting sanctions that aren't backed by the United Nations may help avoid a total catastrophe. That's according to a senior Russian senator. | The drop in energy demand, unstable currency exchange rates, and the threat to people's safety have put humanity at risk of a major economic crisis which "won't spare anybody," Konstantin Kosachev, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Russian Senate, warned. | Developing vaccines and working towards new agreements on oil prices are good measures to deal with the difficult situa…
rt.com/russia/483391-sanctions-coronavirus-russia-iran/

Escapism or China-bashing? US now left without harsh coronavirus options, but with broken healthcare & federal disarray
rt.com | 2020-03-18
Washington's attempts to tackle Covid-19 appear to be bleak

Coronavirus could kill 'millions' in Iran
yenisafak.com | 2020-03-18
Around 3.5 million people may die in Iran from the coronavirus if quarantine measures are not effectively enforced, an Iranian study warned on Wednesday. | The study by a scientific committee at Tehran's prestigious Sharif University of Technology proposed three scenarios regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in the Islamic Republic, according to Iran's Tinn new website. | It suggested that if the quarantine measures are fully implemented and people follow instructions issued by the authorities, Iran will see 120,000 infections and 12,000 deaths by the beginning of April, when the outbreak will reach its peak, accordin…
yenisafak.com/en/world/coronavirus-could-kill-millions-in-iran-3514284

Iran 'Will Continue to Respond' to Soleimani's Murder as Iraqi Militia Rockets Rain Down on US Bases
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-18
The US assassinated Qasem Soleimani, long-time commander of Iran's elite Quds Force military unit, in January, prompting Iran to launch a massed rocket strike on a pair of US bases in Iraq, and leading Iraq-based militias to carry out sporadic strikes on American bases and the US Embassy Green Zone in Baghdad.
sputniknews.com/middleeast/202003181078611126-iran-will-continue-to-respond-to-soleimanis-murder-as-iraqi-militia-rockets-rain-down-on-us-bases/

US Imposes New Iran Sanctions, Complicating Coronavirus
Jason Ditz | iranian.com | 2020-03-18
Last week, Iranian officials emphasized that US sanctions are making their reaction to the coronavirus outbreak much more difficult, leading to both Iran and China to urge the US to put those sanctions on hold for humanitarian reason. Not going after Iran for humanitarian reasons, needless to say, isn't a policy that the administration considers, …
iranian.com/2020/03/17/us-imposes-new-iran-sanctions-complicating-coronavirus/

To Help Stem Coronavirus, Lift Sanctions on Iran
Medea Benjamin, Ariel Gold | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-17
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is far from the first proof of how intertwined we are as a global community. The climate crisis and the refugee crisis have long been glaring examples that the wars or CO2 emissions on one continent risk the lives and well-being of people on another continent. What coronavirus is providing, however,…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/17/to-help-stem-coronavirus-lift-sanctions-on-iran/

Calls Grow to Lift US Sanctions on Iran as Death Toll Rises
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-17
Calls on United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump to ease economic sanctions on Iran are multiplying, as the Persian country is one of the world's most affected by the coronavirus outbreak, infecting 16,169 people and killing 988 so far in the country. | RELATED: | Senior Iranian Cleric Reported Dead After Coronavirus Infection | Authorities in the Islamic Republic along with critics say the sanctions are hindering the government's effort to face the crisis. | "Although Ir…
telesurenglish.net/news/Calls-Grow-to-Lift-US-Sanctions-on-Iran-as-Death-Toll-Rises–20200317-0016.html

"Defender-Europe 20" War Games, COVID-19 and NATO's Disjointed Flight Forward. Computer Simulations of Nuclear War
Brian Gray | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-17
Presently NATO is in the initial stages of military operations called Defender-Europe 20. The 40,000 soldier strong war game exercise includes roughly 20,000 American troops and accompanying weaponry. This witnesses the largest deployment of US personnel in Europe since 1983 …
globalresearch.ca/war-games-covid-19-nato-dis-jointed-flight-forward/5706634

Khamenei finally grasps severity of Coronavirus: Issues fatwa banning 'unnecessary travel'
RT | iranian.com | 2020-03-17
The supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has made a religious ruling that prohibits "unnecessary travel" in the country in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19. Iran's death toll from the outbreak is nearing 1,000. The fatwa urges citizens to respect the orders of the health authorities and to refrain from traveling …
iranian.com/2020/03/17/khamenei-coronavirus-fatwa-travel/

How can the US support Iran's response to the coronavirus and bolster diplomacy?
Mark Fitzpatrick | iranian.com | 2020-03-17
As Tehran is scrambling to contain the rapid spread of the coronavirus in Iran, Mark Fitzpatrick explains why the United States should facilitate the humanitarian assistance Iran needs to address its current public health crisis. The United States' policy toward Iran is stuck in a rut. Government officials know well that the maximum pressure campaign …
iranian.com/2020/03/16/how-can-the-us-support-irans-response-to-the-coronavirus-and-bolster-diplomacy/

Iran calls on Europe to defy US sanctions amid COVID-19 outbreak
Press TV | iranian.com | 2020-03-17
Iran's foreign minister has called on London and the European Union to defy Washington's anti-Iran sanctions amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. In a Monday phone conversation with his British counterpart Dominic Raab, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif denounced the US' illegal and unilateral sanctions against Iran as an obstacle to the battle …
iranian.com/2020/03/17/iran-calls-on-europe-to-defy-us-sanctions-amid-covid-19-outbreak/

As Coronavirus Death Toll Continues to Rise in Iran, Global Calls Mount for US to Lift 'Immoral' Sanctions
Jessica Corbett, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-03-17
As the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak continues to rise in Iran, one of the world's most impacted countries, global pressure is mounting on the Trump administration to ease economic sanctions that Iranian officials and other critics charge has hampered the government's ability to manage the public health crisis. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-1207464288.png …
commondreams.org/news/2020/03/17/coronavirus-death-toll-continues-rise-iran-global-calls-mount-us-lift-immoral?cd-origin=rss

Why sanctions against Iran and Venezuela during a pandemic are cruel
Vijay Prashad | mronline.org | 2020-03-16
In the midst of a pandemic, one would expect all countries to collaborate; that a humanitarian crisis of this magnitude would provide ample opportunity to end (or suspend) inhumane economic sanctions. Is this not the time for the imperialist bloc, led by the U.S., to end the sanctions against Cuba, Iran, Venezuela, and a series […] | Source…
mronline.org/2020/03/16/why-sanctions-against-iran-and-venezuela-during-a-pandemic-are-cruel/

Citizen Gorbachev Speaks
Mikhail S. Gorbachev | thenation.com | 2020-03-16
Citizen Gorbachev Speaks…
thenation.com/article/world/mikhail-gorbachev-coronavirus-nuclear/

Iranian Hails New UK Stance on Arrested Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe & Repayment Of Debt
Sputnik News | iranian.com | 2020-03-16
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who possesses both British and Iranian passports, has been under arrest in Iran since April 2016 over allegations that she plotted against the government, claims that she has consistently denied. She was sentenced to five years in an Iranian jail. The Iranian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hamid Baeidinejad, welcomed a new approach …
iranian.com/2020/03/16/iranian-hails-new-uk-stance-on-arrested-nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-repayment-of-debt/

China Calls US Sanctions against Iran 'Immoral' amid Virus Epidemic
Tasnim News | iranian.com | 2020-03-16
China on Monday called on the US to remove its sanctions against Iran, saying that the embargoes will hamper the country's response to the coronavirus outbreak. The unilateral US sanctions will further hamper Iran's efforts in combating the virus while it's already struggling to cope with the crisis, Geng Shuang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry …
iranian.com/2020/03/16/china-calls-us-sanctions-against-iran-immoral-amid-virus-epidemic/

Iran may impose partial lockdown to contain coronavirus and will provide cash handouts, loans
Press TV | iranian.com | 2020-03-15
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has given his initial approval for imposing a partial lockdown on areas in nearly a dozen provinces in the country to help curb a coronavirus outbreak that has affected thousands of people. Rouhani described as "good" a proposal by Health Minister Saeed Namaki to implement a "movement control scheme" in 11 …
iranian.com/2020/03/14/iran-may-impose-partial-lockdown-to-contain-coronavirus-and-will-provide-cash-handouts-loans/

Coronavirus death toll reaches 611 in Iran
IRNA | iranian.com | 2020-03-14
The head of the Public Relations and Information Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education said on Saturday that 12,729 people have so far been infected with the deadly coronavirus in Iran, 611 of whom have died while 4,339 have recovered. Kianoush Jahanpour said that 1,365 other people have been diagnosed with coronavirus …
iranian.com/2020/03/14/coronavirus-death-toll-reaches-611-in-iran/

Qatar flight carrying medical aid arrives in Iran
IRNA | iranian.com | 2020-03-14
A Qatari airplane carrying government medical and health aid from Doha has arrived in Tehran. Iran Air will also provide its third flight to Qatar on Friday to bring home Iranian passengers stranded in Qatar due to coronavirus fears. In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Iran Air flights to Qatar were suspended. Due to …
iranian.com/2020/03/13/qatar-flight-carrying-medical-aid-arrives-in-iran/

Latest U.S. Military Strikes Are as Reckless as they are Cruel
Lilly Dragnev | peaceaction.org | 2020-03-13
Washington, D.C.

Amid the Worse Public Crisis in Decades, Trump Admin Finds the Time and Money to Bomb Iraq
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-13
While the government has found plenty of money to carry out wars around the globe (the Trump administration increased the military budget to $934 billion), when it comes to policies protecting public health, money is always apparently lacking.
mintpressnews.com/amid-coronavirus-crisis-trump-admin-busy-bombing-iraq-iran/265704/

To Help Stem Coronavirus, Lift Sanctions on Iran
Medea Benjamin | iranian.com | 2020-03-13
Among those in Iran who have been unable to get critical medications have been patients with leukemia, epidermolysis bullosa, epilepsy, and chronic eye injuries from exposure to chemical weapons during the Iran-Iraq war. Now coronavirus is added to that list. The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is far from the first proof of how intertwined we are …
iranian.com/2020/03/13/to-help-stem-coronavirus-lift-sanctions-on-iran/

US Moves Patriot Missiles To Iraq. Outraged Baghdad Warns of "Consequences" After Airstrikes
Zero Hedge | iranian.com | 2020-03-13
With coronavirus pandemic dominating the world's attention, it's easy to forget that the US is essentially in a state of war with Iran, just Thursday night conducting a major aerial bombing campaign against multiple Iran-backed militia targets across southern Iraq. In response to prior rocket attacks on Camp Taji which killed two Americans on Wednesday the Pentagon …
iranian.com/2020/03/13/us-moves-patriot-missiles-to-iraq-outraged-baghdad-says-consequences-coming-after-airstrikes/

Iran appreciates Japan's $23.5 million medical aid
IRNA | iranian.com | 2020-03-13
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tokyo appreciated Japan's move to donate $ 23.5 million of medical aid to Iran to combat the spread of coronavirus in the country. The all-out fight against the COVID-19 virus requires global solidarity, the Iranian embassy in Tokyo said in a twitte message on Friday, stressing the …
iranian.com/2020/03/13/iran-appreciates-japans-23-5-million-medical-aid/

Zarif calls for removal of all U.S. sanctions in fight against COVID-19
Tehran Times | iranian.com | 2020-03-13
Iranian FM Zarif, sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, urging the need to lift all U.S. sanctions on Iran, which are impeding the country's combat against coronavirus. Zarif in this letter, copies of which were sent to the heads of international organizations and FMs of all states, touched upon the need for the removal of all …
iranian.com/2020/03/12/zarif-calls-for-removal-of-all-u-s-anti-iranian-sanctions-in-fight-against-covid-19/

Congress Sends Bipartisan Bill to Trump Rebuking Iran War
Paul Kawika Martin | peaceaction.org | 2020-03-11
Washington, D.C.

Prisons Worldwide Face Coronavirus Crisis: Overcrowding, Lack of Sanitation & Labor at Slave Wages
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-03-10
As Italy went on lockdown, nearly 30 prisons across the country broke into riots Sunday and Monday after visitation rights were suspended in response to the outbreak. In a prison in southern Italy, a riot left at least six incarcerated people dead and caused 50 people to escape. Prisoners have reportedly lit fires, charged guards and even escaped at multiple facilities. This comes as the United Nations confirmed that coronavirus had reached Iran's prisons, as the number of cases there continues to soar. Iran has temporarily freed some 70,000 prisoners in response to the coronavirus. And concerns are growing about…
www.democracynow.org/2020/3/10/coronavirus_in_prisons_jails

Why nuclear power must remain outlawed in Australia
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2020-03-10
Environment Jim GreenIssue 1257 Australia nuclear power uranium miningMarch 10, 2020Nuclear power is prohibited in Australia under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC…
greenleft.org.au/content/why-nuclear-power-must-remain-outlawed-australia