Iran’s vice-president has been diagnosed with coronavirus, state media have reported, as the country struggles to stop the spread of the disease.
Masoumeh Ebtekar is among 254 people infected with the virus in the Middle Eastern nation, where 26 people have been killed.
The vice-president for women and family affairs is better known internationally as the English-language spokeswoman for the hostage-takers who seized the US embassy in Tehran in 1979, sparking a 444-day diplomatic crisis.
Iran’s deputy health minister tested positive for the virus earlier this week, hours after appearing visibly unwell at a press conference during which he denied the government was suppressing the scale of the outbreak.
Coronavirus cases in Iran spiked by 106 over the last 24 hours, the country’s health ministry announced on Thursday. The country’s death toll from the outbreak is higher than any country except China, where the epidemic began.
Senior House Republican eviscerates Dems for ‘fear campaign’ against Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
Hegseth’s Memo to American Military Academies Will Make the Left Furious but Ensures US Officer Corps’ Deadly Efficiency
White South African refugees brought to US due to ‘government-sponsored racial discrimination’: State Dept
Lincoln Project Bashes Trump’s Latest Move, Then Finds Out Abraham Lincoln Did the Same Thing
President Trump takes on ‘Big Pharma’ by signing executive order to lower drug prices
Southern border apprehensions plunge more than 90% from year ago in April, CBP says
Scott Bessent: Chinese Officials Told Us How They Took Advantage of Biden as Soon as He Entered White House
The Democrats in prime position to be face of the party in 2028
Heartbreaking Sight on Porches Across Community After 16-Year-Old Lacrosse Player Dies from Injury Sustained in Game
House GOP unveils Medicaid work requirements in Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
Groundbreaking Report Exposes Massive Biden Failure in Gaza: 62 US Troops Harmed, $230M Wasted
Mothers Day with Trump’s Mom: Mary Trump Shares Son’s Favorite Boyhood Games – You May Not Be Surprised
Trump secures fairer footing for America on global trade and more top headlines
House Democrat calls for ‘immediate’ ethics probe of Qatari plane gift to Trump
Trump to dive into the sports world again with college athletics commission
The outbreak has prompted Iranian authorities to cancel Friday prayers in Tehran. Health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said there were also plans to impose restrictions at some holy Muslim sites but the plan “needs the approval of the president before being carried out”.
Mr Jahanpur, speaking to state TV, urged Iranians to avoid “unnecessary trips inside the country”.
State news agency IRNA said Chinese citizens have been banned from entering the country. Similar restrictions have been implemented by dozens of other nations including the US, Russia, South Korea and Australia in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Michael Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organisation’s emergencies programme, said Iran’s 10 per cent mortality rate – five times higher than China – was probably due to milder cases of the disease not being picked up.
Story cited here.
