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Virus Response in Mideast Tainted by Political Views of Iran

Associated Press

   BEIRUT - In the Middle East, even virus outbreaks are political.

   The coronavirus has killed 26 people in Iran the highest toll outside
   of China where it originated. Many of the over 240 confirmed cases in
   the region have links to Iran, including dozens in Kuwait and Bahrain,
   six in Iraq and two in Lebanon.

   That spread has put renewed scrutiny on Tehran, with many of its
   regional foes blaming it for mishandling the outbreak.

   In sharp contrast to Europe, where countries kept borders with Italy
   open despite a cluster of virus cases there, Iran's neighbors have all
   announced measures to cut links with the country, either completely
   closing their borders and suspending air traffic or limiting travel. In
   an extraordinary move that reflects the growing concern, Saudi Arabia
   on Thursday banned foreign pilgrims from entering the kingdom to visit
   Islam's holiest sites in Mecca.

   As the virus spreads, so has the criticism directed at Iran. But it has
   fallen along familiar political fault lines, with regional politics
   shaping the accusations.

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