Coronavirus: Iran seeks IMF assistance, which has not loaned it money since 1962

Text by: RFI Follow

The number of people infected has further increased in Iran, exceeding the figure of 10,000 people, while the authorities report 429 deaths since the start of the epidemic. Iran has asked for $ 5 billion in aid from the IMF and the immediate lifting of all US sanctions.

Publicity

From our correspondent in Tehran , Siavosh Ghazi

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif asked the International Monetary Fund in a letter for urgent aid of five billion dollars to fight the coronavirus. It is the first time in nearly 60 years that Iran has made such a request to the IMF. But there is little chance that the monetary organization will respond positively to Iranian demand. Indeed, no decision can practically be taken by the IMF without the approval of Washington.

IMF's @KGeorgiava has stated that countries affected by # COVID19 will be supported via Rapid Financial Instrument. Our Central Bank requested access to this facility immediately.

IMF / IMF Board should adhere to Fund's mandate, stand on right side of history & act responsibly.

Iran is one of the main centers of the coronavirus in the world and the authorities regularly denounce the American sanctions which prevent Tehran from using its own funds, effectively blocked in international banks.
Moreover, in another letter addressed to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mohammad Javad Zarif asked for the immediate lifting of all American sanctions against the country.

These sanctions decided by the United States after its exit from the nuclear agreement in 2018 have greatly affected the Iranian economy, in particular the country's oil exports, which have fallen to their lowest historic level.
Authorities have stepped up drastic measures to control the epidemic . Iranians are encouraged to stay at home and avoid traveling across the country.

► Also read : State of the world coronavirus pandemic

URGENT

Iranian care personnel are courageously battling # COVID19 on frontlines

Their efforts are stymied by vast shortages caused by restrictions on our people's access to medicine / equipment

Most urgent needs are outlined below

Viruses don't discriminate. Nor should humankind pic.twitter.com/GpXCbsh001

Our selection on SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

• Why the WHO declares the Covid-19 epidemic as a pandemic

• An infographic: The coronavirus in 7 points

• The point in the world : Coronavirus: state of the pandemic in the world

• Practical questions:
→ Who are the vulnerable people?
→ What should you do when you think you are contaminated?
→ Quarantine, what are we talking about?
→ What treatments?

Find all our articles, reports, chronicles and programs on the coronavirus by clicking here .

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Download the app

• Iran
• Coronavirus
• IMF
• Finance

On the same subject

Coronavirus: overview of the pandemic in the world