Iran warns virus could kill 'millions' in Islamic Republic

[Celerity]

https://apnews.com/6e92d93551ee6c6ae51d0acaaad9eb32

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran issued its most dire warning yet Tuesday about the new coronavirus ravaging the country, suggesting “millions” could die in the Islamic Republic if people keep traveling and ignore health guidance.

A state TV journalist who also is a medical doctor gave the warning only hours after hard-line Shiite faithful on Monday night pushed their way into the courtyards of two major shrines that were finally closed due to the virus. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a religious ruling prohibiting “unnecessary” travel.

Roughly 9 out of 10 of the over 18,000 confirmed cases of the virus in the Middle East come from Iran, where authorities denied for days the risk the outbreak posed. Officials have implemented new checks for people trying to leave major cities ahead of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, on Friday, but have hesitated to quarantine the areas.

The death toll in Iran saw another 13% increase Tuesday. Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said the virus had killed 135 more people to raise the total to 988 amid over 16,000 cases. Jordan announced a state of emergency, banning gatherings of more than 10 people, and Israel issued its own strict guidelines.

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[BeckyDem]

1. Kerry tried to warn, do not sanction Iran.

“If we become super provocative in ways that show the Iranian people there has been no advantage to this, that there is no gain, and our bellicosity is pushing them into a corner, that’s dangerous and that could bring a very different result,” said Kerry, who led U.S. negotiations on the deal under former President Obama.

The Associated Press reported on his remarks.

Kerry’s comments come as the Senate prepares to vote this week on the Iran Destabilizing Activities Act, which focuses on the country’s ballistic missile program, human rights violations and terrorism support.

The Iran nuclear deal relaxed international sanctions on Iran in exchange for commitments from Tehran meant to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.

Kerry also said he hopes President Trump listens to top advisers such as national security adviser H.R. McMaster and Defense Secretary James Mattis.

“My hope is that they would in fact not just be the adults in the room but that they would be listened to,” he said of Mattis and McMaster.

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/336494-kerry-new-iran-sanctions-may-be-dangerous