Iran is facing unilateral sanctions from the west over the past few years. These sanctions are not aimed to affect normal citizens. The sanctions were started by the west in an excuse to halt Iran's civilian nuclear energy program. However looking at the streets of the capital Tehran it seems its hurting normal lives.The sanctions clearly state that medical and food supplies are exempt, however that doesnt seem to be the case. U.S. companies are unwilling to give medical supplies to Iran fearing repercussions in their country following the transactions with Iran. Now many of these supplies are sent through the United Arab Emirates in return for Irans exports of gas to that country.
The problem now is while $30 million worth of Iranian gas is exported to the emirates per day, its not fulfilling its part by handing over the funds to the drugs and food suppliers. This has created vessels being stuck in waters.
"From two months ago, they're creating problems and not paying money and 80 vessels are in the ports in Iran," Member of the board, of Tehran Chamber of Commerce Hamid Hosseini told us of the problems.
Those in the economic sector in Iran say these sanctions are affecting normal citizens
An economic expert, Ismaeil Ebrahimi told us, "Is it the Iranian government that is being hit by the sanctions or the Iranian nation, 76 millions Iranians have been hit with sanctions with their oil money being blocked and their food supplies stuck in ports. So who is really hit by the sanctions?
Iranian business magnate and an influential member in Irans chamber of commerce Asadollah Asgar-Oladi said perishable goods are stuck in the port of Jebel Ali in Dubai and Irans southern ports pending transfer of funds from the emirates. Most of the goods are food, medical supplies and grain and they are incurring heavy costs to keep them refrigerated.
Asgar-Oladi warned Iran might face shortages in vital food and medical supplies in the near future if the trend continues.
By Press TV
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