Supreme leader talks of the 'absence' of public events for this year's holy fasting month

With Islamic Republic suffering severe losses and under growing pressure amid the pandemic, leaders have worried observers by increasingly lashing out at perceived outside enemies

Claim with no scientific evidence is increasingly used by Chinese officials to deflect blame for the pandemic

Move apparently aimed at preventing further spread of coronavirus; Tehran's Health Ministry spokesman says 1 Iranian dies 'every 10 minutes' of the disease

Days of denials and continued travel to and from China gave the virus time to spread; with Persian New Year later this week, authorities still not limiting movement in country

129 fatalities brings tally to over 850; though other countries, including Israel, with lower infection rates put enforced restrictions on public life, Tehran has not

Islamic Republic reports 2,336 infections, with virus spreading quickly; Khamenei urges public to observe hygiene measures, touts country's 'transparency'

Cases continue to mount in Islamic Republic as top cleric dies, government officials are infected and Wikipedia access reportedly disrupted

Khamenei accuses foreign media of exacerbating fears of disease to discourage participation in Friday's parliamentary elections

Conservatives expected to dominate vote; 'Our elections are useless,' says one of 58 million eligible voters as experts expect low turnout amid internal and diplomatic crises