The Iranian Ministry of Health is concerned about the Coronavirus situation in the Islamic Republic. According to Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi, the red warning level applies to almost the entire country. The situation is anything but good: if citizens do not comply with hygiene regulations, the country will continue to record an average of 200 deaths per day, Harirchi said on Sunday in Tehran. In the last 24 hours alone, 216 Covid-19 patients died in Iran. The number of deaths is currently at 15,700, the number of infections detected so far is 291,172. There is likely to be a high number of unreported cases.

Meanwhile, Iran's President Hassan Rohani has been under criticism for weeks, including in the Ministry of Health, for his policy of loosening up. It is argued that the population no longer takes the regulations and the pandemic seriously.

The clergy's plans to hold ashura celebrations at the end of August despite the coronavirus crisis are also currently causing further discussion in the country. In Iran, where the majority of the population is Shiite, the mourning festival is celebrated with processions commemorating the third Shiite Imam Hussein in 680. It is one of the two important holidays in the month of Muharrem and is celebrated by masses in the streets and squares. Nevertheless, Rohani wants to allow the ceremonies because he cannot stand up to the clergy, it is said.