After the United States implemented an exemption on its current sanctions, Iran found a way to purchase coronavirus vaccines. And in due time, considering their country is experiencing the worst COVID-19 outbreak in the Middle East.
The Iranian government looks to acquire 16.8 million vaccine doses from the World Health Organization for 200 million euros, which is the rough equivalent to $244 million.
Central bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati explained during a television interview that the Iranian government is expected to transfer the fee through two unidentified Turkish and European banks as well as one domestic bank.
After receiving pressure from the “world opinion”, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control approved the deal.
Up to 1.2 million people in Iran have been infected with COVID-19, while 54,000 people have died from the disease. Iranian officials say that U.S. sanctions have limited their abilities to combat the coronavirus.
Up until this deal, Iran has been attempting to use its foreign currency reserves to purchase the vaccine via COVAX. The Persian Gulf nation was told by countries such as South Korea that these attempts see the risk of the money being blocked or seized.
