Iran: Cancer medication scarce due to re-imposed US sanctions

Iranian children being treated for cancer are facing the consequences of a drug shortage due to the recently re-imposed US sanctions, footage filmed at the Mofid children's hospital in Tehran on Sunday reveals.
For 38-year-old Maryam Haghverdilo, mother of Arshia who has been undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma over the past five months, the US-imposed sanctions on banks affect people's ability to purchase items abroad, including medication.
"Mr. Trump says that he has not imposed sanctions on drugs, he has rather imposed sanctions on banks, these sanctions mean that we cannot buy medication. It means that we cannot pay European countries for medication to be imported," she said.
"We are worried about the next stage of chemotherapy about whether medication can be found or not," Haghverdilo added. She went on to say that even though she might be able to travel to find medication, other less fortunate people may not have the same ability.
For Maryam, it's the children that are suffering the consequences.
"Children are innocent," Haghverdilo said, and added "there are so many children here who really need these drugs."
The United States reinstated all of the sanctions it had previously lifted as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or Iran nuclear deal, on November 5. The sanctions target Iran's oil, banking and shipping industries and the Trump administration has also promised to institute harsh penalties for any other states that continue to conduct trade with the country.