Iran's Daily COVID-19 Deaths Hit Record of 459

Iranians walk next to a sign advising people to wear masks on their way to shop in Tajrish square in the capital Tehran on Nov. 1, 2020. (AFP)
Iranians walk next to a sign advising people to wear masks on their way to shop in Tajrish square in the capital Tehran on Nov. 1, 2020. (AFP)
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Iran's Daily COVID-19 Deaths Hit Record of 459

Iranians walk next to a sign advising people to wear masks on their way to shop in Tajrish square in the capital Tehran on Nov. 1, 2020. (AFP)
Iranians walk next to a sign advising people to wear masks on their way to shop in Tajrish square in the capital Tehran on Nov. 1, 2020. (AFP)

Iran's daily tally of coronavirus deaths hit a record high of 459 on Sunday, the health ministry announced, increasing the official toll to 38,291 in the region’s worst-hit country.

Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state TV that the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased by 9,236 to 682,486.

Last week, the head of Iran's Medical Council, Mohammadreza Zafarghandi, doubted the accuracy of the official toll and warned that Iran had reached a "catastrophic mortality rate", the Students News Agency ISNA reported.

To stem a third wave of the virus, the government has shut schools, mosques, shops and restaurants in most of the country.

Authorities have warned that coronavirus tolls will further spike if Iranians failed to respect health protocols.



Khamenei Calls on Muslims to Confront Israel

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, September 25, 2024. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, September 25, 2024. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
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Khamenei Calls on Muslims to Confront Israel

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, September 25, 2024. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, September 25, 2024. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called on Muslims on Saturday "to stand by the people of Lebanon and the proud Hezbollah with whatever means they have and assist them in confronting the ... wicked regime (of Israel)".

Khamenei, in a statement after the Israeli army said it had killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, said: "The fate of this region will be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront", state media reported, according to Reuters.

After Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah's death, Iranian media reported that General Abbas Nilforoushan, a deputy commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, had died "next to Nasrallah" in the Israeli strikes on south Beirut on Friday.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani vowed in a post on X that Nasrallah's "path will be continued and his holy goal will be realized in the liberation of Jerusalem".

Meanwhile, two regional officials briefed by Tehran told Reuters that Khamenei has been transferred to a secure location inside the country with heightened security measures in place.

The sources said Iran was in constant contact with Hezbollah and other parties to determine the next step after the killing of Nasrallah.