The United States has reportedly agreed to grant sanctions waivers allowing some countries to release frozen Iranian assets to help Tehran purchase medicine and equipment for the coronavirus outbreak, according to sources in Iran. The development comes as Iran seeks funds to fight the virus, which has killed more than 2,300 people in the country.
Anonymous Tehran Source Reports Waiver Concessions for Central Bank Funds
A senior source in Tehran, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that efforts by various countries have led to the release of some of the Iranian central bank’s funds and that waivers have been granted to prevent those nations from facing punitive measures. The source did not specify which countries received the waivers and noted there was no official deal between Tehran and Washington.
State Department Rejects Waiver Reports While Treasury Maintains IRGC Sanctions
The US State Department dismissed the reports as inaccurate. A State Department spokesperson stated that the regime already has funds available for humanitarian trade that it chooses to spend on terrorism and proxy groups instead. The US Treasury had previously imposed new sanctions on Thursday targeting individuals and companies accused of having links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), following blanket sanctions placed on Iran’s central bank last September.
European diplomats in Tehran could not confirm whether waivers had been granted, though one suggested that any such action would likely occur behind the scenes, potentially involving nations in Asia.
Central Bank Governor Abdul-Naser Hemmati Cites Potential IMF Loan and Fund Releases
Iranian officials have reported positive developments regarding frozen funds. On 25 March, Central Bank Governor Abdul-Naser Hemmati stated that officials had been informed frozen financial resources might be released, and noted efforts to secure an emergency loan from the International Monetary Fund. Additionally, Hashmatullah Falahat Pishe, a member of Iran’s parliamentary national security and foreign policy committee, stated that some financial resources were supposed to be released.
Hassan Rouhani Warns Global Pandemic Efforts Undermined by Financial Restrictions
The United Nations and countries including the UK, Russia, China, and Pakistan have urged the US to ease sanctions against Iran during the pandemic. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also wrote a letter warning that restricting financial resources to tackle the crisis undermines the global fight against the virus.
