Iran reported more than 3,000 new coronavirus cases on Friday, making it the highest daily increase recorded in the country since June. The Iranian health department also reported 144 new deaths, bringing the country’s total COVID-19 death toll 23,952, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency. Reuters reported Friday that Iranian Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi warned on state television that the country should be placed on the highest level of alert. Last month, an investigation by a BBC Persian service claimed that the number of coronavirus deaths in Iran was nearly triple what the government was reporting. According to the BBC, the official numbers still make Iran the worst-hit country in the Middle East.

Source: The North Africa Journal September 18, 2020 18:45 UTC