In a message addressing the people of America, President described countering COVID-19 a global "duty" of all and warned that under a "pandemic" situation, Tehran, Paris, London and Washington are not far apart.

“Any hostile actor seeking to undermine Iran’s health system and restricting the needed financial resources to tackle the crisis, will undermine the fight against the ‘pandemic’ all over the World,” Rouhani warned.

Calling on American people, he said: “Time has come for American people to halt this dark chapter in American history Sanctions and pressure have never been successful and will never be so in future.”

“But can the American people accept that these malicious pressures are brought to bear on the Iranian people in their name, as a result of their vote, and by the means of their taxes? The imperative of countering the new coronavirus has suspended sporting events, public ceremonies, religious congregations, and forced the closing of schools, universities, houses of worship and businesses across the globe. Isn’t it astonishing that even under such circumstances, there is no halt to pressure, sanctions and callousness? Are we to believe the claim of a readiness for humanitarian assistance from those who so brazenly violate human rights?”

He concluded as follows: “The Iranian people value friendship and respect based on the principles of dignity and humanity and respond positively to overtures based on such values. Simultaneously, they are ready to resist pressure and threats, as they have heroically throughout history. We are a glorious and proud people with millennia of civilization.”

ILKHA