Iran likely to misuse aid
The Iranian regime’s incompetence in handling the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis — such as continuing to allow flights to operate to and from Qom and refraining from quarantining the city, which was the center of the country’s outbreak — has undoubtedly played a key role in the large scale of the humanitarian catastrophe. In addition, the regime’s attempts to conceal the truth have further exacerbated the situation.
Because of the crisis, some governments have decided to offer Iran financial aid upon the Iranian leaders’ request. The regime has also asked the US-based International Monetary Fund
(IMF) for financial assistance for the first time in 60 years. It asked for a $5 billion emergency loan after the IMF made $50 billion available to assist countries with the coronavirus crisis.
But governments and international organizations must be extremely cautious about giving the Iranian regime any direct financial assistance. This is due to the fact that, throughout the history of the Islamic Republic, any extra revenues obtained by the leadership have never trickled down to the ordinary people.
One recent example is the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), aka the Iran nuclear deal. When it was signed in 2015, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani promised that the deal would help the Iranian people financially. When the crippling UN and US sanctions were lifted as a result of the JCPOA, Iran rejoined the global financial system and its oil and gas industries had a fresh start. Nevertheless, domestically speaking, the regime’s increased revenues did not reach the general
or ease the lives of ordinary Iranian people. This is partially due to the fact that Iran’s financial deals were mostly conducted at the governmental level. The beneficiaries of those financial gains were mainly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the
Office of the Supreme Leader. In fact, corruption and economic mismanagement exacerbated the economic problems of ordinary citizens. In addition, as the hard-liners gained more financial power, restrictions on freedom and social justice increased.
The extra revenue gave Iran the necessary financial clout to pursue its strategic and regional ambitions. It emboldened the IRGC, which flexed its muscles in several countries in the region. This led to heightened tensions between Iran and its regional rivals, causing further insecurity, conflicts and humanitarian tragedies.
So if money should not be handed to the regime directly, what can be done to help the Iranian people during this crisis? The best option would be to give the funds that
Iran has requested to international health organizations or credible civil society groups.
The regime must also be forced to allow medical staff and health organizations from other countries to enter Iran. Other conditions could include pressuring the authorities to reveal the truth about the scope of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, and ordering it to stop spending money on its nuclear activities and military adventurism in the region amid this public health crisis.
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is an Iranian-American political scientist.
Twitter: @Dr_Rafizadeh
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