In this picture released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei talks to clerics in his Islamic thoughts class in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. Iran’s supreme leader on Sunday backed the government’s decision to raise gasoline prices and called angry protesters who have been setting fire to public property over the hike “thugs,” signaling a potential crackdown on the demonstrations. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

This seems reasonable.

Though the news has been blanketed with the U.S. response to coronavirus, which has objectively been fine, Iran has taken a different tact. Instead of accepting help from other countries, they’ve chosen to instead rattle their sabers as the virus spreads to even the upper levels of the regime’s leadership.

The newest reports are that up to 10% of the Iranian lawmakers have been infected. If the numbers are that high among the elites, imagine what it is among the general population.

Today in Iran, state media reported that 10% of Iranian lawmakers are infected with the coronavirus. Yesterday, a close adviser to Ayatollah Khamenei died, and a former Iranian ambassador to the Vatican has also died of the virus. https://t.co/Yc39pzxcql

— Marlo Safi (@marlo_safi) March 3, 2020

Unfortunately, the response in Iran to the virus’ spread has been moronic at best, downright suicidal at worst.

Iranians licking religious shrines in defiance of coronavirus spread https://t.co/rnKeriukFV pic.twitter.com/wAM4x9dKth

— New York Post (@nypost) March 2, 2020

Yes, I’m sure the public all licking the same things will really help to quell the outbreak. There was also video shown last week where clerics were spitting into water bottles to “bless” those infected. It shows the insanity of the Islamist government that currently runs Iran.

Meanwhile, their Supreme Leader is ranting about medical jihads, among other nonsense.

A few days ago, I thanked the medical staff for their dedication and sacrifices in caring for patients and in combating the #Coronavirus. I feel it is my duty to once again thank these dear ones who are doing #Jihad for the sake of God with their invaluable efforts.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 3, 2020

The #Covid_19 is not such a big tragedy & this country has overcome graver ones. However, beseeching God, seeking intercession from the Prophet & the AhlulBayt, & the prayers of the pure youth and pious are very effective in repelling major tragedies.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 3, 2020

I don't want to say it’s unimportant, but let's not exaggerate it either. The #Coronavirus won’t affect the country for long & will leave. But the experience it brings, & the actions of the people & the govt sectors are like a #PublicExercise that will remain as an achievement.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 3, 2020

I’m sure they’ve got this well under control.

While coronavirus is not something to panic over in the United States, it’s got much father reaching consequences in a third world country like Iran. Recent numbers put the total deaths at over 1,000 people within their borders already and there’s no doubt many tens of thousands of others are currently infected. Licking shrines and a total lack of widespread, modern medical care adds up to a disastrous outcome as this progresses.

The Iranian people deserve better than this. The sooner this dumpster fire regime collapses, the better.