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Iran’s Leaders Are Bolstered by Billions in Loans From the East

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.