Islamic Republic struggling to contain outbreak of highly contagious delta variant

Iran on Tuesday set a record for daily COVID-19 cases for a second straight day as the highly contagious delta variant quickly spreads across the Middle Eastern country, prompting authorities to impose new restrictions.

Health officials registered more than 34,900 new infections, topping the previous record set just a day earlier of 31,814 cases.

The Islamic Republic recorded 357 COVID-19 fatalities on Tuesday, bringing the total death toll to 89,479 — the highest in the Middle East.... Read More: i24