Iran has eclipsed its official record for daily Coronavirus deaths, with 229 announced on Tuesday.
The Health Ministry raised the total to 14,634 deaths since the start of the outbreak in February. There are 278,827 declared cases, and a record 3,589 patients in critical condition.
The virus has resurged across Iran since the Government began reopening businesses, mosques, restaurants, malls, and universities from April 11. A low of 802 cases was announced on May 3, but the rate soon rose by up to 300%.
Nine of Iran’s 31 provinces are “red zones”, and Tehran’s authorities have announced an emergency situation. Hospitals face acute shortages of medical personnel and beds, according to Reza Jalili-Khoshnood, a senior official with Tehran’s Coronavirus Task Force.
Last weekend President Hassan Rouhani said 25 million of Iran’s 84 million population are infected. The Health Ministry later tried to pull back the statement, saying the number was based on blood tests measuring exposure rather than on the current state of infections.
Rouhani did not mention the record toll as he hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Tuesday. Instead, the President declared, in defiance of Iranian shortages, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has the necessary capacity and opportunity to meet the health and medical needs of Iraq.”
The Supreme Leader made no reference at all to the virus when he received Kadhimi, preferring to assail the US, “The Americans cause trouble and create some hurdles, but the Iraqi government should continue its path with strength and without heeding these interferences.”
“Rouhani did not mention the record toll as he hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Tuesday. Instead, the President declared, in defiance of Iranian shortages, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has the necessary capacity and opportunity to meet the health and medical needs of Iraq.”
Iranians have never been more than a herd of cattle to these mullahs, never worth more than that, what’s new!