Iran's leaders take upbeat tone even as virus deaths climb
Nasser Karimi | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 8 months AGO
Cars drive in a highway in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 20, 2020, on the first day of Iranian New Year, called Nowruz, or "New Day" in Farsi, the Persian holiday marking the the spring equinox. The new coronavirus has cut into the ancient Nowruz and has further slowed the Islamic Republic's economy. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
In this photo released on Friday, March 20, 2020 by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei poses for a portrait prior to delivering his message for the Iranian New Year, or Nowruz, in Tehran, Iran. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani in separate new year messages vowed to overcome the new coronavirus and increase economic growth. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)
Cars drive in a highway in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 20, 2020, on the first day of Iranian New Year, called Nowruz, or "New Day" in Farsi, the Persian holiday marking the the spring equinox. The new coronavirus has cut into the ancient Nowruz and has further slowed the Islamic Republic's economy. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Security forces warn Shiite Pilgrims marching too the shrine of Imam Moussa al-Kadhim, a key Shiite saint, during preparations for the annual commemoration of his death, in Baghdad, Iraq Friday, March 20, 2020. Iraq announced a weeklong curfew to help fight the spread of the virus. For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Two laborers play tag near a sign warning people to maintain a distance from each other over the outbreak of the new coronavirus in front of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab luxury hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, March 20, 2020. The United Arab Emirates has closed its borders to foreigners, including those with residency visas, over the coronavirus outbreak, but has yet to shut down public beaches and other locations over the virus. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Although shrines are closed due to the new coronavirus, Shiite pilgrims make their way to the shrine of Imam Moussa al-Kadhim, a key Shiite saint, during preparations for the annual commemoration of his death, in Baghdad, Iraq Friday, March 20, 2020. Iraq announced a weeklong curfew to help fight the spread of the virus. For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
An Iraqi police a checkpoint near shops that are shuttered to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, in Baghdad, Iraq Friday, March 20, 2020. Iraq, authorities struggled to keep pilgrims from marking the annual Shiite Muslim commemoration of the death of Imam Mousa al-Kazim despite a week-long curfew in the capital. Thousands of Iraqis typically make the journey on foot to the shrine of the imam in the Khazimiyah area of Baghdad. For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Cars drive in Vali-e-Asr St. which usually has congested traffic in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 20, 2020, on the first day of Iranian New Year, called Nowruz, or "New Day" in Farsi, the Persian holiday marking the the spring equinox. The new coronavirus has cut into the ancient Nowruz and has further slowed the Islamic Republic's economy. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
In this photo released on Friday March 20, 2020 by the official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani delivers a message for the Iranian New Year, or Nowruz, in Tehran, Iran. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani in separate new year messages vowed to overcome the new coronavirus and increase economic growth. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP)
A sign calling people to stay home to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus is placed on a statue of the first Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion at a beach in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, March 20, 2020. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was further tightening restrictions on movement, with exceptions only to go out for food or other urgent matters. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
This Thursday, March 19, 2020 photo shows a free gym at Tel Aviv's beachfront wrapped in tape to prevent public access. Israel has reported a steady increase in confirmed cases despite imposing strict travel bans and quarantine measures more than two weeks ago. Authorities recently ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses and encouraged people to work from home. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Although shrines are closed due to the new coronavirus, Shiite pilgrims make their way to the shrine of Imam Moussa al-Kadhim, a key Shiite saint, during preparations for the annual commemoration of his death, in Baghdad, Iraq Friday, March 20, 2020. Iraq announced a weeklong curfew to help fight the spread of the virus. For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Although shrines are closed due to the new coronavirus, Shiite pilgrims make their way to the shrine of Imam Moussa al-Kadhim, a key Shiite saint, during preparations for the annual commemoration of his death, in Baghdad, Iraq Friday, March 20, 2020. Iraq announced a weeklong curfew to help fight the spread of the virus. For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
A crowd of more than 10 people gather on a beach despite warnings to maintain a distance from each other over the outbreak of the new coronavirus in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, March 20, 2020. The United Arab Emirates has closed its borders to foreigners, including those with residency visas, over the coronavirus outbreak, but has yet to shut down public beaches and other locations over the virus. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
A parking lot attendant walks through a typically full parking lot now largely empty over people staying home due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, March 16, 2020. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
A man walks down an empty street in central Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, March 20, 2020. The government announced a weeklong curfew to help fight the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's leaders vowed to overcome the coronavirus outbreak in upbeat messages marking the Persian New Year on Friday, even as the Health Ministry announced 149 more fatalities, bringing the country's death toll to 1,433.
Iran is battling the worst outbreak in the Middle East, with nearly 20,000 confirmed cases, and has been widely criticized for its slow response.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, called the new year “the year of leaps in production” in Iran’s economy, which has been under strain since U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord and imposed .harsh new sanctions.
President Hassan Rouhani also marked the new year, known as Nowruz, by promising a better economy. “We will put the coronavirus behind us soon with unity, with hard work and with cooperation,” he said.
Most people who come down with the COVID-19 illness caused by the virus experience only minor symptoms and recover within weeks. But the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by people showing no symptoms. It can cause severe illness, including pneumonia, particularly in sick or elderly patients.
More than 240,000 people have been infected worldwide. More than 10,000 have died, while more than 85,000 have recovered.
Rouhani has defended his government’s response to the pandemic in the face of widespread criticism that officials acted too slowly and may have even covered up initial cases before infections spread rapidly across the country.
He also sought to highlight what he viewed as the achievements of the past year, including the downing of a sophisticated U.S. drone and missile strikes on U.S. bases in Iraq in retaliation for the killing of Iran's top general in Baghdad.
Rouhani assured Iranians his administration will prioritize health in the coming year and said it had stockpiled basic supplies.
Nowruz is a major holiday in Iran, when shoppers typically pack local markets and take extended vacations. Most shops are closed this year, and those merchants who are still working can be seen warily accepting cash or debit cards from customers in face masks.
Khamenei issued a religious edict this week prohibiting all unnecessary travel and authorities have restricted travel between cities. After weeks of heavy criticism, authorities finally closed two major religious shrines in recent days.
Other countries in the region have imposed far stricter measures to contain the virus, including canceling flights, sealing borders and forcing nonessential businesses to close.
In Tel Aviv, the sprawling Mediterranean beachfront is deserted and authorities have roped off outdoor gyms and playgrounds to keep people from using them. Israel has reported more than 700 confirmed cases. Authorities reported Israel's first death late Friday, saying an 88-year-old man with underlying health problems had passed away after a week in the hospital.
Jordan announced a total curfew starting Saturday, saying all shops would be closed. Government spokesman Amjad Adaileh said a “mechanism” would be announced Tuesday to allow people to shop for essentials at specific times. Anyone violating the curfew could face up to a year in jail. Jordan has reported 85 cases.
In Iraq, which has one of the highest death rates in the region, authorities struggled to keep Shiite pilgrims from marking the annual commemoration of the death of Imam Mousa al-Kazim despite a week-long curfew in the capital. Thousands of Iraqis typically walk to the shrine of the imam in the Khazimiyah area of Baghdad.
Security forces have been stopping pilgrims, but more keep arriving. Late Thursday, the doors of the shrine were closed and the electricity turned off. Officials urged the faithful to perform the pilgrimage “remotely” to keep themselves and others safe.
Caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi urged citizens to abide by a government curfew, and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, a deeply revered Shiite cleric, cautioned them not to “underestimate” the severity of the pandemic.
Iraq has been grappling with anti-government protests for months, following years of conflict that have damaged its health care system. The coronavirus outbreak, which has infected over 200 people and killed 17, and the fallout from cratered oil prices, threaten to plunge the country into a major crisis.
The U.S.-led coalition in Baghdad says it will "temporarily return some" of its forces from Iraq to their home countries in coming days and weeks in response to the Iraqi government's decision to suspend all training. It provided no numbers. The coalition also said that some coalition troops are being moved off a few smaller bases, partly to protect them from the coronavirus and partly because of progress in the campaign against the Islamic State group.
Saudi Arabia announced it would shut down domestic air travel, buses, taxis and trains for the next two weeks, beginning Saturday. The monarchy has reported 274 confirmed cases, eight of whom recovered.
In a televised address late Thursday, King Salman said: “We are living through a difficult phase of the world's history.”
“However, we are completely certain that this phase will end and pass, despite its harshness and bitterness and its difficulties,” he said, assuring Saudis the country had sufficient medical care and supplies to get through the crisis.
In war-torn Yemen, thousands were held in crowded and unsanitary conditions on a campus in the town of Radaa as Houthi rebels placed travelers from abroad under a 14-day quarantine, according to some of those in the group. Photos and video on social media showed people spreading blankets on the asphalt and under trees or sleeping in their cars after militiamen stopped them from entering the capital of Sanaa.
They were camped outdoors for about four days before being moved to a university campus, where they slept in classrooms, corridors, the courtyard and on the roof.
Houthi authorities did not provide any masks, gloves or sanitizer for those cramped together, and there is a severe shortage of water and food, two travelers told The Associated Press on Friday.
“If one person is carrying the virus, it will infect thousands,” said Abdel-Salam al-Gorbany. “The situation here is very miserable.”
The quarantine is among measures taken by the Houthis to prevent an outbreak of the virus in Yemen, where a six-year civil war has destroyed its health facilities. The Houthi rebels are at war with the Saudi-backed internationally recognized government. In recent days, they sought to prevent mass gatherings by shutting down wedding halls and suspending funerals.
Pakistan reported its third death from the virus, a 77-year-old cancer patient, in its southern Sindh province. Pakistan has reported 452 confirmed cases, most of them linked to travel to neighboring Iran.
Pakistan closed its borders with Iran and Afghanistan weeks ago, but Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday asked authorities to allow trucks carrying food and other essentials to cross into landlocked Afghanistan, where infections are also rising.
Pakistan closed its border with India near Lahore on Thursday. It is also placing hundreds of returning religious pilgrims into quarantine.
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Associated Press writers Omar Akour in Amman, Jordan; Samya Kullab and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad; Fay Abuelgasim in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Robert Burns in Washington; Munir Ahmed in Islamabad; and Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem contributed.
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The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.