Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that his country was experiencing its toughest year because of US sanctions and the Covid-19 pandemic.
The coronavirus crisis exacerbated economic problems that worsened after US President Donald Trump withdrew in 2018 from Iran's nuclear deal with major powers and reimposed sanctions. On Monday, Iran's currency fell to its lowest level against the US dollar.
"It's been the most difficult year due to the enemy's economic pressure and the pandemic," Mr Rouhani said in a televised speech.
"The economic pressure that began in 2018 has increased ... and today it is the toughest pressure on our dear country."
Iran has had a sharp increase in coronavirus infections and deaths since restrictions to stem the spread of the pandemic were gradually lifted from mid-April. The death toll recently topped 100 a day for the first time in two months.
In the previous 24 hours, 2,489 new cases were recorded, taking the total to 222,669, Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state television. She said 144 people had died, bringing the total to 10,508.
Mr Rouhani said the wearing of masks will become mandatory for two weeks starting next Sunday in "gathering places" that are deemed "red spots".
Senior officials have regularly given warnings that restrictions will be reimposed if health regulations such as social distancing are not observed.
Iran launched a campaign on Saturday to motivate a reluctant public to use face masks.
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Coronavirus around the world: in pictures
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Marisol Aro, wearing a face shield with an image of Wonder Woman, looks out from a car, amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Santiago. AP -
A man rides past a coronavirus-related mural by urban artists Mick Martinez and "Were Torres" in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico. AFP -
A healthcare worker holds a sample of a nasal swab after testing a passenger at a drive-thru new coronavirus testing site outside a supermarket in Santiago, Chile. AP Photo -
Medical workers collect a swab sample during community Covid-19 testing in Broadmeadows, Melbourne, Australia. EPA -
A worker wearing a protective suit swabs a man's throat for a coronavirus test at a community health clinic in Beijing, Chian. AP Photo -
Coalition of resort labor unions representing Disney cast members holds a car caravan around Disneyland Resort calling for higher safety standards before its reopening in Anaheim, California, USA. AFP -
An artisan takes off his face mask, used to combat the spread of the coronavirus, while taking a break behind a fence at the DImitrie Gusti Village Museum in Bucharest, Romania. AP Photo -
Passengers wearing face masks walk near a banner displaying precautions against the coronavirus at the subway station in Seoul, South Korea. AP Photo -
A waitress takes the temperature of customers as they arrive to eat at Dudley's as restaurants are permitted to offer al fresco dining as part of phase 2 reopening in New York City, USA. Reuters -
Staff at Shiva's Signature hair salon wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits and face shields attend customers after personal grooming services were allowed to resume in Mumbai, India. AFP -
People wearing masks for protection observe mandatory social distancing against the spread of the coronavirus as they wait in line to cast their votes in Poland's presidential election in Lomianki near Warsaw, Poland. AP Photo -
Residents stay at their building to curb the spread of ovid-19 in Caracas, Venezuela. AP Photo -
Fans attend a live stream of Garth Brooks Concert Event for the Concerts In Your Car Series at Ventura County Fairgrounds and Event Center. AFP -
An employee readies the body of a woman who died from the new coronavirus for cremation at La Recoleta crematorium in Santiago, Chile. AP Photo -
Relatives and friends stand near the coffin of a woman, who died of the coronavirus disease, during her funeral at the Xico cemetery in Valle de Chalco, in the State of Mexico, Mexico. Reuters -
A visitor wears a space suit costume on the pier in Huntington Beach, California, US. AP Photo
