(File photo: CGTN)

TEHRAN, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday called for friendly countries to pressure the United States to lift its "cruel and one-sided" sanctions against Iran as the country struggles to curb the coronavirus outbreak.

Rouhani made the remarks in a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, state TV reported.

"The U.S. government has not only violated international regulations by imposing illegal sanctions on Iran, but is also breaching health regulations ratified by the World Health Organization in 2005 through its measures under the current circumstances," Rouhani said.

"The removal of sanctions and fulfillment of commitments by Europe are a necessity, which has become more significant in the current specific situation," he added.

Iran is the worst-hit country by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Middle East, with 60,500 confirmed cases and 3,739 deaths so far.