As his country continues to grapple with its COVID-19 outbreak, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani discussed regional cooperation to combat the pandemic in a series of phone calls with the leaders of Qatar, Oman and Kuwait this week. 

In a call with Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said on Wednesday, Rouhani “stressed the need for collective action,” according to the regime-affiliated Tasnim news agency. During his conversation with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Monday, the Iranian president said Iran was “ready for collective cooperation.” 

Iran is the epicenter of the outbreak in the Middle East, with over 5,000 deaths and more than 83,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. Despite the growing death toll, the government has recently relaxed its restrictions on travel and allowed the reopening of certain “low-risk” businesses.

When speaking with Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday, Rouhani used the opportunity to blast the United States for what he called “inhumane acts,” referring to tough economic sanctions imposed on Iran.