Police official says culprits claimed clip accidentally released online; media reports Iranian who lives in Canada but was visiting country believed to have created footage

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

Ayatollah Hashem Bathaei, 78, was latest senior regime official to contract COVID-19; government figures show outbreak in the country has infected 14,000 people and killed over 700

Military says it is seeing decrease in terrorist activities across the Middle East as countries instead fight pandemic

Official leading campaign against spread of virus warns that Iranian medical facilities could be overwhelmed if trend continues

Official says 'many' of those who have died from the COVID-19 illness caused by the virus were otherwise healthy; Health Ministry figures show 15% of fatalities were under 40

Tehran is close ally of Damascus in the Syrian civil war, with military advisers as well as Shiite pilgrims frequently traveling between the two countries

North Korea, Syria, Russia and China praise Tehran for 'protecting rights of vulnerable groups,' 'openness to dialogue'

Top general announces: 'Over next 10 days, entire nation will be monitored via cyberspace, by phone and, if necessary, in person; those suspected of being ill will be identified'