Iran’s Parliamentary speaker tests positive for coronavirus

Ali Larijani becomes one of dozens of Iranian officials to catch the disease

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani looks on during a meeting at the government palace in Beirut, Lebanon, 17 February 2020. EPA

Iran’s Parliament speaker Ali Larijani tested positive on Thursday for the novel coronavirus and is in quarantine, according to the state news agency ISNA.

Mr Larijani, 62, experienced mild symptoms "which resulted in him to take the coronavirus examination", a statement from the parliament said.
He is currently in self-isolation and is receiving treatment.

Mr Larijani one of Iran's highest-ranking official is now among several senior government figures to catch the disease.

He is a former Revolutionary Guard commander who has close relations to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and has led Iran's legislative body since 2008.

Over the years he has held various positions in the top ranks of Iran's government, including head of state television, minister of culture and secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, which helps set foreign and defence policy. A number of his family members also hold top government positions.

Mr Larijani, who has been parliamentary speaker for 12 years, is due to be replaced as speaker.

But his successor is yet to be appointed as the country battles one of the world’s worst virus outbreaks.

President Hassan Rouhani said the disease may remain through the end of the current Iranian year, which began late last month, state TV reported Thursday.

“We always have to follow the health protocols provided by the health ministry," Mr Rouhani said.

Iran’s deputy health minister, Iraj Harirchi, was the first to be tested positive for the virus in February a day after sweating heavily at a press conference.

Mahmoud Sadeghi, a member of parliament, also said he had tested positive.

Mohammad Mirmohammadi, 71, a close adviser to Mr Khamenei passed away last month from the virus.

Hossein Sheikholeslam, 68, a former deputy foreign minister who took part in the 1979 US embassy hostage crisis also passed away last month.

Farzad Tazari, the former deputy of the highly influential Revolutionary Guard Corp's political department, also lost the battle against the virus. 
Health ministry has said the virus is killing one person every 10 minutes in Iran, as the the death toll in the Middle East's worst-affected country climbed to 3,160 on Thursday.

The country recorded a total of 50,468 infected cases.

Authorities in Tehran have ordered the closure of schools and universities and banned sports, cultural and religious gatherings. Iran has also closed four holy Shiite shrines.