Iran was in deep crisis before the coronavirus (COVID-19) hit. The economy shrunk by approximately 10% in 2019, mostly the result of US sanctions, with no relief expected this year. Demonstrations broke out after the initial misinformation and deception over the accidental shootdown of the Ukrainian passenger plane Jan. 6. Then came COVID-19, and initial mixed messages from the Iranian leadership, intensifying a crisis of public confidence, and further strangling the economy, as we reported here.
And just this week the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran has increased its stock of enriched uranium, cutting its timeline for development of a nuclear weapon, it chooses to do so.