Exclusive: Doctors without Borders has ceased activities in Iran
In an interview with Iran International, Doctors without Borders announced that they have currently ceased all activity in Isfahan. They say that they have not yet received any warnings or instructions from the Islamic Republic officials regarding the cessation of their operations and are awaiting talks with relevant authorities.
On Monday a number of Islamic Republic officials, including Hossein Shariatmadari, the leader’s representative in Keyhan newspaper, explicitly opposed the presence of Doctors without Borders in Iran, described it as “a dangerous carelessness”, and called for their expulsion from the country.
Shariatmadari said: France has repeatedly proven its animosity and grudge against the Islamic Republic.
Doctors without Borders is a non-governmental organization that deploys doctors, nurses, and volunteers to disaster-stricken areas in the world.
An adviser to Iran's Minister of Health also rejected the offer of Doctors Without Borders for help in fighting the coronavirus. The advisor thanked the organization but said that with the medical capacity of the armed forces, there is no need for the presence of foreign forces.