Iran's president says economy is a factor in virus response

29/3/2020 19:26

        Iran's president on Sunday lashed out at criticism of its lagging response to the worst coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East, saying the government has to weigh economic concerns as it takes measures to contain the pandemic.
        
        Hassan Rouhani said authorities had to consider the effect of mass quarantine efforts on Iran's beleaguered economy, which is under heavy U.S. sanctions. It's a dilemma playing out across the globe, as leaders struggle to strike a balance between restricting human contact and keeping their economies from crashing.
        
        Rouhani said at a Cabinet meeting, "Health is a principle for us, but the production and security of society is also a principle for us. We must put these principles together to reach a final decision."