Not only has the Iranian regime been complacent in taking precautionary measures to contain the Covid-19 corona virus pandemic, but it has also exploited its powers and practiced a policy of censorship regarding the numbers of dead and infected as a result of the pandemic, and it even announced the arrest of thousands of citizens who criticized the government’s failure and complacency.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has insisted that his government has dealt with the pandemic much better than European countries and that his country is in a better position than the European Union in light of the pandemic. However, opposition sources revealed that about 70% of the infections officially recorded in some provinces, such as the western province of Lorestan, were not included in the Health Ministry’s Hospital Information System or official reports.

Opposition channel Iran International obtained a document that showed the registration of patients’ medical data may be delayed for more than 20 days at local treatment care centers.

Western media outlets revealed that the authorities had excavated large mass graves at night to bury the corona victims, seeking to cover up the real numbers of deceased in an attempt to hide the authorities’ failure to deal with the crisis.

The Iranian security services continue to pursue those who question the official figures announced by the state about the victims of the fatal virus and those who criticize the performance of the security services in dealing with the pandemic. Armed forces spokesman Abu al-Fadl Shukarji announced the arrest of 3,600 people who were accused of promoting rumors.

The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) announced in March that they had assumed responsibility for fighting the corona pandemic and that its forces had carried out some measures, such as deploying military vehicles in the streets and photographing their cadres as they sprayed disinfectants on the roads. The task of issuing death certificates has also been assigned to the IRGC, in a move that casts doubts on the reliability of the announced data.

In an interview with Iran’s official Channel Two on Tuesday evening, Shukarji said that these arrests were carried out by the internal security forces and the IRGC’s Basij militia. He denied that dozens of medical personnel have died from the virus, claiming that such news is “psychological warfare by the enemies,” and adding that those who propagate these rumors should be arrested.”

Several Iranian MPs, politicians and officials criticized the authorities’ lack of credibility with regard to the number of deaths and infected due to the corona virus.

It is reported that the Iranian Parliament Research Center confirmed in a report that the true number of deaths is twice what the Ministry of Health declares and that the number of infected people may reach as much as ten times the official record.

Source » theportal-center