Iran says 12 dead from new virus, rejects higher death toll – The Associated Press
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Irans government said Monday that 12 people had died nationwide from the new coronavirus, rejecting claims of a much higher death toll by a lawmaker from the city of Qom that has been at the epicenter of the virus in the country.
The conflicting reports raised questions about the Iranian governments transparency concerning the scale of the outbreak.
Five neighboring countries reported their first cases of the virus, with those infected all having links to Iran, including direct travel from a city where authorities have not even reported a confirmed case.
Irans Health Ministry said the total number of infections have risen to 61 while deaths stood at 12. But a lawmaker from Qom, Ahmad Amirabadi Farahani, was quoted by the semi-official ILNA news agency as saying that the death toll was 50.
Even with the lower toll of 12, the number of deaths compared to the number of confirmed infections from the virus is higher in Iran than in any other country, including China and South Korea, where the outbreak is far more widespread.
The World Health Organization said last week that in 2% of infected cases, the virus has been fatal. In Iran, according to the Health Ministrys figures, the death toll represents nearly 20% of total infections.
There are concerns that clusters of the new coronavirus in Iran, as well as in Italy and South Korea, could signal a serious new stage in its global spread.
Authorities in Iraq and Afghanistan, which closed their borders with Iran, announced their first confirmed coronavirus cases on Monday. Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman also announced their first cases. In all five countries, the infected patients had links with Iran.
Farahani, the lawmaker, said the 50 deaths in Qom date back to Feb. 13. Iran first officially reported cases of the virus and its first deaths on Feb. 19.
He did not provide supporting evidence but said more than 250 people are quarantined in Qom, which is known for its Shiite seminaries that attract students from across Iran and other countries. Schools there have been closed.
I think the performance of the administration in controlling the virus has not been successful, Farahani said, referring to the government of President Hassan Rouhani. His comments represent the most public criticism levied yet against the government for its handling of the virus, which originated in China in December.
None of the nurses have access to proper protective gear, Farahani said, adding that some health care specialists had left the city. So far, I have not seen any particular action to confront corona by the administration.
He spoke following a session in parliament in Tehran. His comments, first published by ILNA, were later carried by other news agencies in Iran.
While such harsh criticism is rare in the country, it reflects deep public mistrust of the government, particularly since a Ukrainian passenger jet was shot down by Iran on Jan. 8, killing 176 on board amid heightened tensions with the U.S. Iranian government officials at first tried to conceal the cause of the crash before acknowledging that Revolutionary Guard forces had shot it down, mistaking it for an enemy target.
Health Ministry spokesman Iraj Harirchi rejected the lawmakers comments, but said about 900 other suspected cases are being tested.
No one is qualified to discuss this sort of news at all, Harirchi said, adding that lawmakers have no access to coronavirus statistics and could be mixing figures on deaths related to other diseases like the flu with the new virus.
Mohammad Tavakoli, a representative of the health minister in Qom, said 320 people suspected to have the infection have been hospitalized, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported. He added that 21 people who had been infected had recovered and were released from hospitals.
Asked about the spike in cases in Iran, WHOs emergencies program director Michael Ryan cautioned that in the first wave reported from a country, only the deaths may be being picked up and therefore are over-represented.
The virus may have been there for longer than we had previously suspected, Ryan said. Sometimes when you see an acceleration of cases and a spread from that, it doesnt necessarily represent the natural transmission dynamics of the virus.
He added that it is very much driven by the context, such as whether theres been a religious gathering.
The virus, which causes the COVID-19 illness, has infected more than 79,000 people globally, and caused more than 2,600 deaths, most of them in China.
Ian Mackay, who studies viruses at Australias University of Queensland said the latest figures reported mean that Iran could become the hot spot for seeding countries that have travel with Iran ... a source outside of China.
Travelers from Iran with the virus have been confirmed in Canada, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates.
The outbreak of the virus in Iran comes as its economy buckles under pressure from U.S. economic sanctions. The virus threatens to isolate Iran even further as several countries began halting flights and barring Iranians from entry.
The head of the WHO expressed concern over the virus spread in Iran, as well as in Italy where more than 200 have tested positive and five have died.
The past few weeks has demonstrated just how quickly a new virus can spread around the world and cause widespread fear and disruption, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters.
Ryan said a team from WHO would arrive in Iran on Tuesday.
The outbreak in Iran has centered mostly in the city of Qom, but spread rapidly in recent days as Iranians voted Friday in a parliamentary election. Many people wore masks and stocked up on hand sanitizer.
Iranian health officials have not said whether health workers in Qom who first came in contact with infected people had taken precautions. Iran also has not said how many people are quarantined overall.
To prevent the spread of the virus, schools across much of the country were closed for a second day. Soccer matches and movie screenings have been suspended. Tehrans metro, which is used by about 3 million people in the capital, and public buses are being sanitized daily.
Iran has confirmed cases in five cities, including Tehran. A local mayor in Tehran is among those quarantined.
While Iran has not reported any cases in its northeastern city of Mashhad, authorities in Kuwait on Monday said three travelers returning from there had tested positive for the virus, raising more questions about the Iranian government response.
Iraq said the virus was confirmed in a 22-year-old Iranian student in Najaf, home to Shiite seminaries and shrines. Separately, a person in Afghanistans western province of Herat who had returned from Iran tested positive for the virus.
Bahrains Health Ministry said an infected citizen who returned Friday from Iran had transited through the worlds busiest international airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The ministry said the person is a school bus driver, and that students are being checked and related schools will be closed for two weeks.
Oman said two of its citizens returning from Iran have the virus and are in quarantine.
Armenia also closed its border with Iran for two weeks and suspended flights between the two countries. Azerbaijan temporarily closed two border checkpoints with Iran. Georgia restricted movement of individuals to and from Iran and halted direct flights.
___
Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi and Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran; Rahim Faiez and Tameem Akhgar in Kabul, Afghanistan; Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad; Frank Jordans in Berlin; Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark; Aniruddha Ghosal in New Delhi, India; and Sophiko Megrelidze in Tbilisi, Georgia, contributed.
View post:
Iran says 12 dead from new virus, rejects higher death toll - The Associated Press
- King of Kings by Scott Anderson review how the last shah of Iran sealed his own fate - The Guardian - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- The 1988 Massacre in Iran: A Crime Against Humanity and the Pursuit of Justice - National Council of Resistance of Iran - NCRI - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Contributor: I fled persecution in Iran. ICE enforcement here today reminds me of Tehran - Los Angeles Times - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Iran-born Israeli charged with giving Tehran sensitive info on Israels war plans - The Times of Israel - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Iran Started New Talks Over Its Nuclear Program. Heres What to Know. - The New York Times - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Iran vows to respond in a more decisive manner if attacked again by US or Israel - The Times of Israel - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Iran offers dialogue, not oversight, as IAEA heads back to Tehran - Ynetnews - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Iran Vows Stronger Response If Attacked Again By US, Israel - NDTV - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Holon residents fume at event feting demolition of homes damaged by Iran - The Times of Israel - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Iran and Europeans hold frank nuclear talks with snapback UN sanctions looming - The Times of Israel - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Iran and Europeans hold 'frank' nuclear talks with UN sanctions looming - Reuters - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Strikes on Iran thwarted fission and fusion nukes, and electronic pulse bomb report - The Times of Israel - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Why the Shah of Iran was toppled and America got it so wrong - The Times - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- 150 THAAD Ballistic Missile Interceptors Fired By U.S. During Iran's Barrages On Israel: Report - The War Zone - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Iran to hold nuclear talks with Europeans as Trump threatens renewed strikes - ABC News - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- European countries hold talks with Iran in Istanbul, with a sanctions threat looming - NPR - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- How 12 days have changed Iran - The International Institute for Strategic Studies - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Tehran On The Brink: Can Iran Survive Its Water Crisis? - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Urgent Call to Save PMOI Supporter Yaghoub Derakhshan from Execution in Iran - National Council of Resistance of Iran - NCRI - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Iran says its ready for nuclear talks with Washington but only if the U.S. rebuilds trust - PBS - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Nine killed in armed attack on courthouse in southeast Iran - - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Iran, China, Russia, and the collapse of deterrence in the Red Sea - Atlantic Council - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Five Dead in Judiciary Building Attack Southeast of Iran: Mizan - Bloomberg.com - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Israel aimed to collapse Iran, but united us instead - Tehran Times - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Iran state TV says an Iranian navy helicopter confronted a US destroyer in the Gulf of Oman - ABC News - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Why China Must Drop Iran and Embrace Israel - The Times of Israel - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Iran considering relocating its capital over severe water shortage - report - The Jerusalem Post - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran shuts down in the face of blistering heat - NBC News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran Says It Could Exit Nuclear Treaty if Europe Reimposes Sanctions - The New York Times - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran to Resume Talks on Nuclear Program With United Nations Agency - The Wall Street Journal - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Officials in Iran Suspect Sabotage in Wave of Fires and Explosions - The New York Times - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran state TV says an Iranian navy helicopter confronted a US destroyer in the Gulf of Oman - AP News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- The road to the Israel-Iran war - Brookings - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran lays down conditions for resumption of nuclear talks with US - Reuters - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran agrees to visit by team from UN nuclear watchdog in coming weeks - Reuters - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Amnesty International accuses Iran of firing cluster munitions at Israel - The Times of Israel - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran says its ready for nuclear talks with the US but only if Washington rebuilds trust - AP News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran outlines conditions for renewed nuclear talks with U.S. - Washington Times - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran says it's ready for nuclear talks with the US but only if Washington rebuilds trust - Yahoo Home - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran says it's ready for nuclear talks with US but only if Washington rebuilds trust - The Norfolk Daily News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Guard at U.S. Embassy in Norway Charged With Spying for Russia and Iran - The New York Times - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran's Secret Empire: How Its Nuclear Program Is Funded by Drugs, iPhones, and Shell Companies - National Security Journal - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran says it warned US destroyer to move away from waters monitored by Tehran - USA Today - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran claims to have confronted US destroyer in the Gulf of Oman - The Times of Israel - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran says it's ready for nuclear talks if US works to rebuild trust - Euronews - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- After Going to War with Iran, the US Must Keep Up the Pressure to Achieve Its Goals - Algemeiner.com - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Years of misguided Middle East diplomacy seen again in Iran bombing - Cleveland.com - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- US used 14% of its THAAD stockpile against Iran, a report says. It could take years to replenish. - Stars and Stripes - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Mandarin Under The Chador: Iran's China Connection In Its War Against Israel And The West - MEMRI - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran will not give up nuclear enrichment, top official confirms in exclusive Fox News interview - Fox News - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Post-12-Day War, Iran Continues To Invest in the Houthis - Foundation for Defense of Democracies - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Iran Builds Alliance with China and Russia in Face of US Threat - Newsweek - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Iran to Hold Nuclear Talks With France, Germany and U.K. After Sanctions Threat - The New York Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Iran Says To Meet With European Nations On July 25 Over Nuclear Issues - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Iran-Linked DCHSpy Android Malware Masquerades as VPN Apps to Spy on Dissidents - The Hacker News - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- US levies sanctions over Iran-backed oil smuggling to Yemen's Houthis - - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- We Will Do It Again: America Threatens New Strikes on Iran - National Security Journal - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Iran reaffirms that it will never give up nuclear enrichment - JNS.org - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Lebanese man sentenced to prison for role in Iran export conspiracy - Mainstreet Daily News Gainesville - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Beijings plausible deniability on arms supply is quickly becoming implausible and could soon extend to Iran - The Conversation - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Iran and three European powers set to resume nuclear talks, says foreign minister - Euronews.com - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Iran tests satellite launch rocket it says give it new space capabilities - The Times of Israel - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Iran turns to Russia and China to discuss European threat of sanctions snapback - France 24 - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- 5 Boeing 777s Transferred To Iran Despite Ongoing Sanctions - Simple Flying - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Beware Iran-linked fake VPN apps found to spy on Android users - TechRadar - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Iran will hold nuclear talks with European nations in Turkey, the first since ceasefire with Israel - ABC News - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- What Will Bring Iran Back to the Negotiating Table: European Sanctions or the Drought? - Haaretz - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- The Israel-Iran war and ultra-Orthodox conscription - The Jerusalem Post - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Iran could hold nuclear talks with European powers next week, Tasnim reports - Reuters - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iran Is Moving to Rearm Its Militia Allies - The Wall Street Journal - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Opinion | Iran Is Out to Assassinate Trump - The Wall Street Journal - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Donald Trump Sends Message To Iran Over Nuclear Ambitions - Newsweek - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iran and its militias brace for another conflict with Israel - Long War Journal - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iran sweep Bulgaria and continue to dream of the Finals - Volleyball World - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Former Israeli ambassador cautions that Iran is still a danger - Fox News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Pezeshkian: Iran will never bow to pressure, stands firm on legal nuclear rights - Tehran Times - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iran News: Deadly Bus Crash Highlights Systemic Corruption and Road Infrastructure Failures - National Council of Resistance of Iran - NCRI - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iran Agrees to Talks With UK, France and Germany, Tasnim Reports - Bloomberg.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- 'Enemy of Allah': Iran-linked group crowdfunds $40 million for assassination of Trump - report - The Jerusalem Post - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Unlikely Alliances and Confrontations: Trkiye, Israel, and Iran in post-Assad Syria - New Lines Institute - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]