Iran reports record daily rise in coronavirus cases, deaths

DUBAI - Iran on Monday reported a record 13,053 new coronavirus infections and 486 deaths over the past 24 hours and said it would impose stricter restrictions to curb the pandemic in the Middle East's worst-affected country.

Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state TV that the total number of infected cases had reached 775,121, while total fatalities had increased to 41,979.

President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday declared "the general mobilisation of the nation and the government" to confront the third wave of the coronavirus with infections and deaths rising at an alarming rate over the past few weeks.

The government said on Saturday tougher restrictions to be imposed in Tehran and some 100 other cities and towns from November 21 for two weeks will include the closure of non-essential businesses and services.