President Hassan Rouhani said U.S. sanctions “severely hampered” Iran’s ability to fight the coronavirus. According to Reuters, the death toll rose to 611, up nearly 100 from a day earlier. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Rouhani urged world leaders to stop observing sanctions. He said: “It is IMMORAL to let a bully kill innocents.” The escalated outbreak caused Iran to ask the International Monetary Fund for $5 billion in emergency funding.
