TEHRAN, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian government spokesman said Monday the United States cannot obstruct Iran's request for an emergency loan from International Monetary Fund (IMF) to fight the novel coronavirus.

"The U.S. is legally in no position to disrupt the activities of international institutions, and international institutions are not the private properties of the White House," said Ali Rabiee.

"Iran has paid the IMF its share and now the people of Iran have a legitimate right to enjoy the facilities provided by the fund," he added.

On March 12, the Central Bank of Iran announced that it had asked the IMF for a 5-billion-dollar loan to combat the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.

However, reports said later that the United States had blocked Iran's request for the emergency loan.