[Global Times Comprehensive Report] Iran, which was hit by U.S. sanctions and the new crown pneumonia epidemic, announced on the 12th that the country has sought emergency assistance of about $ 5 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to AFP, this is the first time Iran has sought financial assistance from the IMF since 1962.
According to Agence France-Presse, the IMF president has said that countries affected by the epidemic will be supported through rapid financing instruments (RFIs). Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif tweeted that Iran's central bank called for immediate support through the mechanism. Iranian media said that the governor of the country ’s central bank stated that it had formally requested a letter of assistance from the IMF on March 6. According to IMF data, Iran has never received IMF assistance since the release of "standby credit" in the 1960s. Zarif called on the IMF to uphold the mission of the organization, to take a responsible course on the right side of history. However, the IMF's lending must be approved by the agency's executive committee, and the United States actually has veto power over the agency's decision.
The Iranian government said on Thursday that the country has confirmed more than 10,000 confirmed cases and killed 429 people. According to Russian satellite news agency, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Moussavi stated that Tehran wrote to the UN Secretary-General Guterres, proposing that all US sanctions on Iran must be lifted in order to fight the epidemic. (Zheng Xuan)