IMF rejects call to cut ties with Iran

The International Monetary Fund has rejected a call by a US-based anti-Iranian group to cut its ties with the Central Bank of Iran. The IMF said on Tuesday that its relationship with the Central Bank of Iran is based on its constitution, noting that Iran's membership does not contravene US or EU sanctions on Tehran, AFP reported. The anti-Iranian group also criticized IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde over her meeting with Central Bank of Iran Governor Mahmoud Bahmani on the sidelines of the semiannual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington in late April. The US-based anti-Iranian group consists of former US diplomats and government officials. IMF spokesman William Murray said, "According to our constitution...

the IMF's holdings of each member's currency are maintained with the central bank of the relevant member, including Iran… There is nothing in the EU or US sanctions regimes that is inconsistent with these arrangements." Headquartered in Washington, the IMF is an organization of 188 countries working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world