As Donald Trump escalates his offensive against Iran, its leaders are being bolstered by billions of dollars flowing from the east.
It was the turn of the Chinese last week, as a group of Iranian banks secured $10 billion in loans from Citic Group, and Iran signed preliminary agreements worth about $15 billion with China Development Bank. That followed a $10 billion credit accord with Japan last year, and Iran has also signed a $9.6 billion deal with the Export-Import Bank of Korea.
The funding is a “big political statement from governments,” some traditionally close to America, at a time when the U.S. is seeking help in confronting Iran, said Henry Smith, lead analyst on Iran and the Middle East at the Dubai office of Control Risks, a global risk consultancy. Major private lenders aren’t about to drop their guard with Iran, he said, but having states heavily invested can boost the confidence of executives pondering their plans.