President Hassan Rouhani sits alone at a Cabinet session, Tehran, Iran, March 4, 2020
UPDATE, 1230 GMT:
Iranian officials have raised the Coronavirus toll to 107 deaths and 3,513 cases, a sharp increase from the 2,322 cases reported on Wednesday.
Auhorities are now establishing checkpoints to monitor and limit travel between major cities. Schools and universities have been closed until March 20.
Amid another surge in Iran’s toll from Coronavirus, President Hassan Rouhani has lashed out at profiteers and “social and foreign media”.
Rouhani told a Cabinet session on Wednesday:
Despite the majority of our society and everyone working together to help overcome this problem, there are some who want to take advantage of this issue for their own financial gain….
There are also some active in the social and foreign media who hide behind the mask of compassion, but in fact they are spreading false news in order to spread anxiety in our society and make our people anxious.
The President did not identify the profiteers or media foes; however, he has long been at odds with regime hardliners, including the Revolutionary Guards.
See also Iran Daily, Jan 16: Rouhani v. Military Over Downing of Ukraine Passenger Jet
Iran Daily, Nov 11: Rouhani v. Hardliners Over Corruption
Rouhani also assailed the US, “Those who even imposed drugs and food sanctions on people have done the most vicious act against the Iranian people in these two years.”
And he called on State broadcaster IRIB to “offer people happier programmes while people are more at home to protect their lives”, and on “all artists, scientists, psychologists and all who can bring smiles to people’s faces [to] come into the social media, [as] words that make people tired are no longer advantageous”.
Official Death Toll Nears 100
Continuing the belated acknowledgement of the seriousness of the virus, Iran’s Health Ministry raised the death toll on Wednesday to 92, among 2,922 cases.
As the virus spread, the Supreme Leader said it was a “Western plot” to disrupt Parliamentary elections. Rouhani echoed the talk of “conspiracy” as the Government held out against quarantines.
However, the line could not be maintained as the illness spread. Among those who have tested positive are 23 MPs, Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar, Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi, and the brother of the Supreme Leader’s daughter-in-law. Iran’s former Ambassador to the Vatican died last week, and a member of the Expediency Council, which advises the Supreme Leader, passed away on Monday.
Rumors are circulating that 1st Vice President Esh’aq Jahangiri has also tested positive and is in quarantine. While these were not confirmed, photos of Wednesday’s Cabinet session showed Rouhani — normally flanked by Jahangiri and Chief of Staff Mahmoud Vaezi — sitting alone at the top table.
The Supreme Leader shifted his line on Wednesday, replacing “Western plot” with the command to Iranians, “Whatever facilitates [the virus’s] spread is a sin.”
Iran Daily, March 4: Supreme Leader — Coronavirus is No Longer A Western Plot
Photos of Khamenei showed him wearing disposable gloves and keeping others at distance as he planted a tree for National Arbor Day.
Having refused to cancel public events last month, authorities announced that football matches are suspended until April. Tehran Friday Prayers are cancelled for the second straight week.
“… in fact they are spreading false news in order to spread anxiety in our society and make our people anxious….”
Constant lies and cover ups by your regime is the prime cause of people’s anxiety. But then again, you are here to spin (mardom khar kardan). Not sure it is working…..