US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, listens as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speaks to the press about new sanctions on Iran, at the White House in Washington, DC, on Jan 10, 2020. (PHOTO / AFP)

WASHINGTON / TEHRAN — The United States on Monday renewed sanctions waivers on Iran, allowing foreign companies to continue work at Iranian nuclear facilities to keep Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.

Citing officials, Associated Press reported that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin prevailed in an internal debate on the issue against Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who opposed extending the waivers.

Mnuchin believed that eliminating the waivers amid the coronavirus pandemic might draw criticism against the United States, according to the report.

Earlier this month, the US Treasury blacklisted five United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based companies that facilitate Iran's petroleum and petrochemical sales.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday that US anti-Iran sanctions have doubled Iranians' suffering from the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country, semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

"These days the world is fighting against a common challenge. This time, it is not related to the borders and interests but it is about humanity, living, and staying," Zarif was quoted as saying.

These days the world is fighting against a common challenge. This time, it is not related to the borders and interests but it is about humanity, living, and staying

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian Foreign Minister

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"What doubles the suffering of Iranians, what limits their choices in crisis management, and what aggravates concerns for citizens' livelihood is that sanctions and coronavirus are coming at the same time," he added.

The Iranian foreign minister called for a global "moral will" against the US excessive demands, noting "complying with sanctions should not lead to more war crimes."

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Over the past weeks, Iran has intensified a global campaign for the removal of US sanction as the Islamic republic combats the outbreak of coronavirus in the country.

Iran is the worst-hit country by the virus in the Middle East.

Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education on Monday reported the total number of 41,495 cases of novel coronavirus and 2,757 deaths.