No More Problem in Way of Purchasing COVID Vaccine: Iran’s Chief Banker
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Abdolnasser Hemmati said there are no more obstacles in the way of purchasing coronavirus vaccines, pointing to the allocation of 200 million Euros for their import.
Hemmati noted in a social media post on Thursday that the US sanctions and the need for permission from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had created obstacles for Iran in the way of buying COVDI-19 vaccines.
He added that initial approval was received early today for the transaction via a bank account other than the one containing the CBI assets in South Korea.
The CBI has allocated 200 million Euros for the import of vaccines, the official said.
“We are in contact with the Ministry of Health,” Hemmati noted, adding that if necessary, the amount will be increased.
In comments earlier this month, Hemmati said Tehran has tried to purchase COVID-19 vaccine from other countries, but the US sanctions have prevented financial transactions for the sale.
He said while the purchases of the coronavirus vaccine should be made officially through the WHO, Iran has faced obstacles in every single way that it has tried to make payments and transfer currency for the purchase of vaccine “because of the US government’s inhumane sanctions and the need for permission from OFAC”.