Iran Parliament Speaker Urged to Keep Chamber Closed for Another 2 Weeks

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March 25, 2020

In a letter, Saeid Namaki called on Ali Larijani to extend the closure of Parliament for another two weeks.

In the letter, the health minister expressed gratitude to the speaker for his “utmost cooperation and unflinching support.”

He said the national committee tasked with tackling the coronavirus epidemic has approved a plan called “Social Distancing” proposed by the health ministry.

He said President Hassan Rouhani has communicated the plan to relevant institutions at a time when restrictions have also been imposed on travel between cities coupled with the closure of most administrative and other centres.

Given what was said, added the health minister, the opening of the Parliament is not in conformity with the said plan.

In the letter, the minister asked the speaker to keep the legislature closed for another two weeks and use videoconferencing and other methods which would obviate the need for physical presence of lawmakers.

Iran Govt. Supporting Knowledge-Based Firms Involved in Coronavirus Fight

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 25, 2020

Iran Govt. Supporting Knowledge-Based Firms Involved in Coronavirus Fight

The Iranian government has devised plans for providing rapid financial support for the technological products used in the fight against the spread of the contagious disease, a senior official says.

According to Chairman of the Innovation and Development Fund of Iran Ali Vahdat, after a public call for the domestic industries to take part in the national battle with novel coronavirus, more than 400 projects and plans were presented by the knowledge-based and technological companies.

The top projects were selected and priorities were set in coordination with the Science and Technology Parks, the Research and Technology Funds, the Health Ministry, the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, he noted.

Vahdat added that the Innovation and Development Fund finally decided to provide funding for 32 companies producing disinfectants, 13 companies producing masks, three companies manufacturing coronavirus diagnostic test kits, five companies making disinfection machinery, 16 enterprises manufacturing medical equipment such as anaesthetic machines for surgery room, oxygen generators and medical ventilators, and five companies developing software for monitoring, controlling and informing.

A total of 32 local companies have been able to produce more than two million litres of disinfectants after the outbreak of coronavirus under the auspices of the Innovation and Development Fund, he added.

It is estimated that 16 domestic companies in the medical industry will be producing 90 million gloves, 100,000 hospital gowns, 1,000 oxygen generators, 100 medical ventilators, and 100 anaesthetic machines for surgery room, Vahdat noted.

Three Iranian knowledge-based companies are planned to produce 360,000 test kits by May 20 and put them on the market, he added, saying 13 other companies are also scheduled to produce 1,250,000 masks per month.

The official finally noted that the Innovation and Development Fund would provide “emergency working capital financing” to assist the businesses harmed by the outbreak of coronavirus.

A sum of 500 billion rials has been allocated to eight companies providing Internet services that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 epidemic, he added.

Vahdat further noted that some 1.25 trillion rials have been offered to Iranian companies actively involved in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic.

Iran Condemns Deadly Attack on Sikh Temple in Afghanistan

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 25, 2020

Afghan Sikhs gather near the site of a terrorist attack on their temple in Kabul on March 25, 2020. / Photo by Reuters

In a statement on Wednesday, Seyyed Abbas Mousavi said terrorists will fail to achieve their objectives by such acts of terror.

“By committing evil acts and imposing a heavy toll on defenceless Afghan people, terrorists will definitely fail to achieve their objectives, which is to fuel insecurity, instability and religious divisions in the country,” the spokesman said.

Mousavi further offered condolences to the bereaved families, saying, “Iran will stand by Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism and extremism.”

Gunmen and suicide bombers stormed a Sikh temple in the heart of Afghanistan’s capital of Kabul on Wednesday, killing at least 25 worshippers and wounding as many, in one of the deadliest attacks on the minority community in the country.

The ISIS terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Tamiflu Removed from Iran’s COVID-19 Treatment Protocol

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 25, 2020

Tamiflu Not Effective in Treating COVID-19: Iran

Raisi’s comments came a few days after health ministry spokesman announced studies show Tamiflu does not prevent or treat the coronavirus disease.

“The matter was raised in the scientific committees and also discussed in the National Headquarters to Fight against Coronavirus,” he tweeted on March 16.

Tamiflu is a prescription medicine used to treat the flu (influenza) in people two weeks of age and older who have had flu symptoms for no more than 2 days. Tamiflu can also reduce the chance of getting the flu in people 1 year and older. Tamiflu does not prevent bacterial infections that may happen with the flu.

Tamiflu belongs to a class of drugs called antivirals. It’s an influenza neuraminidase inhibitor, which prevents the flu virus from multiplying (making more virus) inside your body.

Tamiflu comes in two forms, both of which are taken by mouth. These forms include capsules and a liquid suspension.

Tamiflu is a drug to treat the flu, and it will not protect people from getting the new coronavirus. Researchers internationally have been working to develop antivirals, but at the present time, there is no specific treatment or vaccine.

Fresh Clues Found on Origin of COVID-19 in Iran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 25, 2020

COVID-19 Cases in Iran Rises to over 7,000: Health Ministry

Addressing a video press conference, Raisi said according to the studies carried out by “a strong team of epidemiologists” the first cases of COVID-19 in Iran “were obviously and specifically associated with … a number of Chinese workers commuting [between China and Iran] over January and February as well as with a number of students residing in Qom.”

The official said that at first the researchers said that the disease originated in Qom. “But now we also consider the probability that there have been two origins: Qom and Gilan.”

Stressing, however, that “our information about Gilan is not complete yet” he mentioned that there are indications that “a number of students inhabiting Wuhan had returned to the province of Gilan before Wuhan was quarantined.”

Tehran Introduces New Restrictions to Contain Corona Outbreak

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 25, 2020

Tehran’s governor has announced that no vehicle will be allowed to leave Tehran province until further notice. The only exceptions are aid and military cars and those carrying fuel.
The governor’s office has also said the proposal for closure of all administrative offices and government organisations of Tehran province until April 3 has been submitted to the National Headquarters for Fight againt Coronavirus.

Meanwhile, an advisor at Tehran’s Municipality said with a green light from the government, instructions for the closure of Tehran’s parks were sent to municipality districts. He said the entrance and parking lots of all enclosed parks will be shut down, and the rest will be blocked as much as possible by city guards and municipal police.

Earlier, Government Spokesman Ali Rabiei said the transit of people will be screened more seriously at the cities exit ways to control the outbreak.

Within the last few days, many Iranians hit to roads to visit their relatives in other cities depite government warnings about the spread of the deadly virus.

Reports also said that some others in capital Tehran have camped in parks and gardens to enjoy spring weather next to their families. The government has put the new restrictions to force these people to stay home and avoid putting their lives in danger.

43 Medical Staff Die in Iran While Treating Coronavirus Patients: Official

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 25, 2020

Speaking on Wednesday, Iranian health ministry Spokesman Kianoosh Jahanpour expressed condolences over the loss.

“Today, the health sector is mourning the deaths of these people, and we are missing their blessed existence,” he said.

This comes as medical workers have been at the forefront of the national campaign against the epidemic. Doctors, nurses and other health workers have been working in tandem with other institutions to tackle the virus outbreak and treat infected people.

Iran, Croatia Confer on EU’s Measures to Lift Barriers to COVID-19 Fight

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 25, 2020

In a phone conversation on Wednesday, Mohammad Javad Zarif asked his Croatian counterpart about the latest decisions of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union.
Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić outlined some details of this meeting and stressed the European Union’s support for Iran in the fight against coronavirus.

He also referred to some of the bloc’s decisions to remove financial barriers to help the Islamic Republic’s actions in this regard.

Croatia is the rotating President of the European Union at present.

Iran, Armenia Discuss US Sanctions amid Coronavirus Epidemic

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 25, 2020

Iran Congratulates Armenia on National Day

In a phone conversation on Wednesday, Mohammad Javad Zairf elaborated on the Islamic Republic’s measures in this regard.

FM Zarif and Zohrab Mnatsakanyan also exchanged views on transit and cooperation in science and technology.

While appreciating the cooperation in these areas, the two sides called for continuation of these collaborations.

IRGC Starts Nationwide Drill for Biological Defence

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 25, 2020

The exercises are being conducted in coordination with the National Committee for Fight against Coronavirus and in line with policies of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

The drill is underway in 300 locations across the country, including 100 spots in Tehran, with the cooperation of New War Units of the IRGC’s Ground Force and the Basij.

In this drill, some 100 ground units working in the form of 10 headquarters do the disinfection job.

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