Iran has found a way to obtain millions of corona vaccines despite the sanctions the United States has imposed on the country.

 

The country has purchased nearly 17 million doses through the COVAX initiative, which is supported by the World Trade Organization, WHO.

The 200 million euros needed to pay for the vaccines were arranged through two banks, one Turkish and one European. According to the Iranian central bank governor, the US authorities have agreed to the transaction “under pressure from public opinion”.

Iran is one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus in the Middle East. About 1.2 million Iranians are infected, and the death toll is over 54,000.

According to authorities in Iran, the corona fight in the country is being thwarted by the US sanctions. As a result, the country’s oil income has dried up. Furthermore, Iran is cut off from the global banking system.

The US previously said that sanctions do not apply to humanitarian goods such as medicines, medical supplies and food. Still, Iran says the measures prevent the country from accessing its own money, which has been frozen abroad.

Iran is therefore, unable to pay for the import of goods and services. The country claims to have previously tried in vain to obtain vaccines via COVAX.