By REUTERS
WASHINGTON - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) plans to conduct a regular assessment of Iran's economy early next year, the first time in over two years, Fund staff said after a visit to the country.An IMF mission would allow the Fund to take a closer look at the impact of Western sanctions and provide a sorely needed outside analysis of the economy and growth prospects. The IMF last visited Iran for a full economic review in July 2011.Sanctions targeted at Iran's disputed nuclear program have hurt trade and largely frozen Iran out of the international banking system since late 2011.The head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the United Nations in September, a sign of a slight thaw in relations between Tehran and the West since Rouhani took office.In a statement after its visit on Monday, the IMF said it discussed Iran's high inflation and ways to restore economic growth, as well as its plans to address subsidy reform and other structural issues.
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