In declaring war on the coronavirus, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is now seeking absolution from a public still angry over it accidentally shooting down a Ukrainian jetliner.
In this Sunday, March 1, 2020, photo, an Iranian army member disinfects his protective gear against the new coronavirus in Tehran, Iran. Wearing gas masks and waterproof fatigues, members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard now spray down streets and hospitals with disinfectants as the Islamic Republic faces one of the world's worst outbreaks of the new coronavirus.
The push by the Guard comes as the new virus has infected and killed members of Iranian officialdom. Ensuring the survival of the government — as well as its own place in power — remains paramount amid one of the world’s deadliest virus outbreaks outside of China. Fear over the virus and the government’s waning credibility has become a major challenge to Iran’s leaders, who already are reeling under the weight of American sanctions.
Its forces, which include virologists, faced chemical weapons during Iran’s eight-year war against Iraq in the 1980s. It expanded into private industry after the war years to help the country rebuild. And the Guard, also known by the acronym IRGC, has conducted polio and other immunization drives in the past.
The Guard’s troops have moved into hard-hit cities like Tehran, Rasht and Qom. Using modular construction, they’ve quickly built hospitals and created a headquarters called the Coronavirus Fight Base, staffed with so-called “modern warfare units” who focus on responses to chemical, biological and cyberattacks.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
As coronavirus spreads across globe, here's how Iran, Italy, U.S. and South Korea are respondingCountries around the world have implemented quarantines, school closures, bans on large gatherings and travel restrictions to try to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.
Read more »
Iran minister accuses 'some countries' of not declaring their coronavirus casesIran's oil minister has hit out at other countries for not declaring confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
Read more »
As climate fight intensifies, U.S. states seek to block local natural-gas bansLawmakers in at least five U.S. states have proposed bills since mid-February to...
Read more »
Sweeping Senate Vote Sends Trump $8.3 Billion Bill To Fight VirusWith a 96-1 vote, the Senate will send a bill to Donald Trump's desk allocating billions of dollars to fight the spreading coronavirus.
Read more »
Ernesto Cardenal died on March 1stThe black beret and white hair made him a symbol, seemingly mild. In fact he was a wildly ardent, revolutionary soul
Read more »