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US Fears Iran Facilitating Spread of Coronavirus

Jeff Seldin

   WASHINGTON - Iran's struggle to contain its coronavirus pandemic could
   have a ripple effect across the Middle East, with some U.S. officials
   suggesting it could further destabilize an already volatile region.

   In particular, military officials worry that the regime's slow response
   has quietly turned Iran into a launching pad for the virus, helping it
   to spread far beyond what officials in Tehran have been willing to
   acknowledge.

   "Iran sits in the middle of the [Middle East] theater, so their ability
   to pass that infection to other states is very worrisome," Gen. Kenneth
   McKenzie, the commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East and South
   Asia, said while briefing lawmakers this past week, noting the
   "permeability and porousness of the borders."

   Making matters worse, U.S. officials believe the extent of the
   coronavirus' grip on Iran has been vastly underreported, reaching well
   into the upper echelons of Iran's leadership.

   "A number of people have died as a result of that in Iran's senior
   leadership cadre," McKenzie told reporters Friday.

   "People are separated. They're distrustful," he added, warning the
   virus' toll could make Iran's leadership more willing to strike out at
   the U.S. and Western targets in the region, if only as a distraction to
   the problems at home.

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