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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIran leader refuses US help, citing virus conspiracy theory (made in the USA)
By JON GAMBRELL
37 minutes ago
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Irans supreme leader Sunday refused U.S. assistance to fight the new coronavirus, citing an unfounded conspiracy theory that the virus could be man-made by America.
Ayatollah Ali Khameneis comments come as Iran faces crushing U.S. sanctions blocking the country from selling its crude oil and accessing international financial markets.
But while Iranian civilian officials in recent days have increasingly criticized those sanctions, 80-year-old Khamenei instead chose to traffic in the same conspiracy theory increasingly used by Chinese officials about the new virus to deflect blame for the pandemic.
Possibly your (offered) medicine is a way to spread the virus more, Khamenei said. Or if you send therapists and doctors, maybe he wants to see the effect of the poison, since it is said that part of the virus is built for Iran.
There is no scientific proof offered anywhere in the world to support Khameneis comments. However, it comes after Chinese government spokesman Lijian Zhao tweeted earlier this month that it might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan. Be transparent! Make public your data! US owe(s) us an explanation!
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CV should set it sights on some leaders...
duforsure
(11,885 posts)Both are serial liars, are incompetent and can't handle what they're suppose to here. Why would they want them involved, they know who trump is , and how bad he's failing here in his own country. trumps lying and hate fueled rants toward other countries are coming back to haunt him.
BigmanPigman
(51,627 posts)but after that BS speech I said Fuck You!
Raven123
(4,864 posts)Its hard to imagine the USA offering assistance to Iran as recent as 1 week ago given our current situation. Either the story lacks accuracy or someone planned to make a big profit.
Igel
(35,356 posts)A few folk--picked up widely in the media--have tried to make the case that the US Army was responsible for the virus. (It helps fight the idea that China's responsible for anything bad. It may be the Middle Kingdom, but they certainly want to avoid the idea it's the Muddle Kingdom.)