Iran needs to cut its deficit and reform the banking sector in the short run while pressing on with longer term structural reform necessary for integration into the global economy, the IMF says.

Senior IMF official David Lipton led an IMF visit to Tehran this week, the first such visit since the 1979 Revolution. This follows the lifting of sanctions in January. Since 1979 IMF activities in Iran have been limited to statistical and technical assistance. (CONTINUED - 1121 WORDS)