A top Iranian official died from the coronavirus Monday as the outbreak stretches across the hardest-hit country outside of China, The Associated Press reported, citing state radio. His mother had reportedly died due to the coronavirus in recent days as well. ADVERTISEMENTIran has 1,501 confirmed cases in the country and the virus has killed 66 people in Iran, according to the AP. Iran has the highest death toll in any country outside of China, where the virus originated and has killed more than 2,000 people. Health Ministry spokesman Ali Reza Raisi told reporters Monday Iran is ready to mobilize 300,000 troops to help combat the virus, according to the AP.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 02, 2020 13:54 UTC