Iran Asks IMF for $5 Billion Loan as Coronavirus Toll Reaches 429

Iran’s Health Ministry on Thursday said the new coronavirus has killed 75 more people, raising the death toll to 429 amid over 10,000 cases as the Islamic Republic revealed it had asked for a multibillion-dollar loan from the International Monetary fund to fight the virus.

Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour announced the latest virus figures in a televised news conference.

Iran’s Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati said Thursday that the country had requested an emergency $5 billion loan from the IMF to combat the outbreak. He said made the request last week in a letter to IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva. The international lender has said it stands ready to support countries through a Rapid Financial Instrument.