Iran has the highest number of coronavirus-related deaths outside of China. At least 26 people have died from contracting the virus, known as COVID-19, and a further 254 cases of the disease has been confirmed. Iran’s former ambassador to the Vatican, Hadi Khosroshahi, is among those who have died from the virus, Iran state media (IRNA) has reported.
Masoumeh Ebtekar, the vice-president for women and family affairs, is the latest high-profile figure to have been infected.
Ms Ebtekar is said to be suffering from mild symptoms but has not been admitted to hospital.
The 59-year-old is best known in the West as the English-language spokeswoman “Mary” during the 1979 crisis in Iran.
From November 4, 1979, 52 US diplomats and citizens were held hostage for 444 days, after supporters of the Iranian revolution stormed the US embassy in Tehran.
On Tuesday, Iran deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi, also confirmed he had been diagnosed with the virus.
His case was confirmed just 24 hours after appearing visibly unwell during a TV broadcast about disease.
The outbreak of the virus in Iran is believed to centre on the holy Shiite city of Qom, where there is a famous shrine in which pilgrims touch and kiss to pay their respects.
Authorities have tried to prevent large groups of people being in contact with one another, and officials have called-off Friday prayers in a number of cities, including Tehran.
As the number of cases increases in the Middle East, neighbouring Saudi Arabia has banned foreign pilgrims from entering the kingdom to visit Islam’s holiest sites.
The ban potentially disrupts the plans of millions of people ahead of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in April.
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“I don’t suspect it has anything to do with clinical care, more to do with surveillance.”
In China, where the virus originated, 78,497 cases have been reported, including 2,744 deaths.
Outside China, there have been 3,651 cases, including 50 deaths.
In the UK, 7,690 people have been tested for the virus – with 15 testing positive.