Iranian MP dies from coronavirus

An Iranian MP who contracted the novel coronavirus died, a state-run news agency has reported.

Mohammad Ali Ramazani Dastak, who was elected as the representative for Astana Ashrafieh last week, is thought to have tested positive for the illness a few days ago.

He died on Saturday morning after being “hospitalised due to influenza and chemical injuries” dating back to the Iran-Iraq war, according to the Iranian Students News Agency. The agency report did not link the death to coronavirus.

It came as a health ministry spokesman said the new coronavirus had killed 43 people in the Islamic Republic, amid 593 confirmed cases.