Trump Administration Refuses to Waive Iran Sanctions During COVID — Blocks IMF Loan (2020-04-2020-07)

Trump April 15, 2020

Iran, one of the countries hardest hit by COVID-19, requests a $5 billion IMF loan to combat the pandemic. The Trump administration blocks the loan, refusing to waive sanctions that prevent Iran from accessing its own foreign exchange reserves. Iran's COVID death toll surpasses 100,000. Critics call the sanctions blockade a crime against humanity. Trump defends it as part of 'maximum pressure.'