Zarif Urges Govts to Help Iranian Citizens Return Home amid COVID-19 Outbreak
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on relevant governments and airlines to assist with the return of Iranian citizens stranded abroad due to flight cancellations over the spread of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19.
“We have citizens stranded abroad with flight cancellations due to the #COVID19 pandemic. In Tehran, and at our missions abroad, we are doing our utmost to arrange for their safe return home. We urge relevant govts and airlines to assist them in line with @WHO guidelines,” Zarif tweeted on Friday.
Head of Iranian Health Ministry’s Public Relations and Information Center Kianoush Jahanpour on Friday confirmed 1,234 new cases of infection, and 17 more deaths.
The record-breaking increase in the number of new infections raises the total number of confirmed cases to 4,744 and the overall death toll to 124, he said.
So far, 913 people have recovered and been discharged from hospital, he added.