Business Insider reports that Iran is in chaos due to the coronavirus outbreak, and its government seems to be incapable of dealing with the scale of the crisis.
The situation is so dire reportedly that Iran’s prosecutor general, Mohammad Ja’far Montazeri, is threatening the death penalty to anyone who hoards necessary equipment or materials.
According to the Iranian officials their death toll stands at 77 people who have died as a result of the virus. Most experts agree though it’s probable the death toll is MUCH higher since the government has made apparent efforts to cover up the extent of the outbreak. BBC News reports that hospital sources place that number at 210.
What has thrown Iran into chaos is the vast number of the country’s government officials who have contracted and died from the virus. According to CNN, 8% of Iran’s parliament has been infected, along with one of the country’s vice presidents and a deputy health minister.
Perhaps the most shocking information to come out of Iran is how high up the chain of command coronavirus has infected. Reportedly, Mohammad Mirmohammadi, a main advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has died from the virus.
Matthew Kavanagh, an assistant professor of global health at Georgetown University, said, “In China and Iran, both experiencing major outbreaks, early action has been undermined by efforts to halt and control free flow of information.”
Iran might have the highest number of government officials of any country in the world who are infected. At least seven high ranking Iranian officials including Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar have tested positive for COVID-19.
Watch the video to learn more about how chaotic and dire things are in Iran right now, including the sick thing officials did to religious statues that undoubtedly helped spread the disease.
