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.
The Leadership We Need: Sec. Hegseth Says Pentagon is ‘Tracking’ Lefty Troops Celebrating Charlie Kirk’s Death Online
Another North Carolina Nightmare: Boy, 5, Shot Point Blank by Felon for Riding Bike Into Yard – Flashback
Trump praises FBI Director Kash Patel for speedy capture of Charlie Kirk assassin
‘Speak English, period’: GOP bill axes interpreter loophole in citizenship exam
Professor slammed for ‘despicable behavior’ with controverisal reposts on Charlie Kirk
Watchdogs: Child Predators May Exploit Popular Social Platform’s New Feature
Train attack video reignites fury over withheld footage of Austin Metcalf killing
Activists sound alarm on ‘deeply troubling’ poll showing support for Mamdani’s anti-Israel messaging
CNN’s Scott Jennings Lets Loose on Dems Over Charlie Kirk Killing: ‘That View Is Killing People’
Archaeologists Unearth Amazing Biblical Site in Jerusalem: It May Be the Site Where Christ Performed a Miracle
Charlie Kirk assassination suspect awaits charges as Utah residents describe alleged killer as ‘very quiet’
Erika Kirk Sends Powerful Message to ‘Evildoers’ Behind Assassination: ‘You Have No Idea What You… Unleashed’
White House closes week mourning Charlie Kirk, remembering 9/11 terrorist attacks in NY
Kash Patel’s false start on Charlie Kirk killer draws scrutiny, but FBI nabbed suspect in the end
Following Kirk’s assassination, lawmakers react to lethal political climate: ‘Violent words precede violent actions’
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.
