Iragaj Harirchi was diagnosed as the carrier of the deadly virus, while the country's death toll rose to 50 • The regime defends: "The plague will wane, most of the damage is caused by foreign propaganda"

• Iranian civilians in Tehran // Photo: AFP

Iranian Deputy Health Minister Iragaj Harirchi was today diagnosed as the carrier of the deadly corona virus after apparently contracting the virus during his visit to the city of Qom, the focus of the outbreak in the country. This is reported today at the ILNA Iranian News Agency, as well as various news agencies around the world.

Khirarchi was at the forefront of the Iranian health authorities' fight to fight the virus and hide its outbreak from the country's public. Earlier today, Khirarchi claimed he would resign if it was discovered that the number of dead in the city of Qum had indeed risen to fifty, as reported in the world media.

Meanwhile, a senior Revolutionary Guards commander for the first time today referred to the outbreak of the country's corona virus, claiming that the rate of infection with the virus could wane in the coming weeks. General Golmerza Jelly strongly attacked the foreign media, claiming that a disinformation campaign was being waged against his country.

"In the media arena, we have not been able to reach a consensus and a unified line, due to the constant trickle of anti-revolutionary propaganda in foreign media. False reports of the condition of the patients, the number of fatalities and the failure of the health system are an enemy attempt to sow confusion and fear among the Iranian people," Jelly said.