A U.S. diplomatic spokeswoman remarked that “the U.S. is concerned by the worsening COVID-19 situation in Iran and we reiterate our offer of assistance”. Her Iranian counterpart dismissed the “empty offers of ‘aid’”, suggesting that Washington “stop blocking Iranian people’s right to use their own money frozen in Korea, Iraq and Japan, to be used for food and medicine” via the Swiss Humanitarian Channel (SHTA). In related remarks, EU High Representative Josep Borrell underscored that “sanctions must not impede humanitarian trade”.