Iran imposes strict restrictions amid third wave of Covid-19

Country faces an almost complete lockdown as cases surge

Police stand guard outside the French embassy during a protest against the publications of a cartoon of Prophet Mohammad in France and French President Emmanuel Macron's comments, in Tehran, Iran OctoShow more

Weddings, wakes and conferences will be banned in the Iranian capital until further notice as the Middle East’s hardest-hit nation battles a third wave of Covid-19, police said.

President Hassan Rouhani, meanwhile, announced new restrictions that will take effect on Wednesday in 25 of Iran’s 31 provinces for 10 days.

The official Irna news agency said Tehran police had extended by one week the closure of businesses including beauty salons, tea shops, cinemas, libraries and fitness clubs.

Police will make unannounced visits to other high-risk businesses, and those that violate health protocols will be shut down, Irna quoted police official Nader Moradi as saying.

Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said in a televised briefing that the new restrictions from next week in the 25 provinces and 89 counties will include the closure of institutions such as schools, universities, libraries and mosques.

Mr Rouhani said in televised remarks that strict health protocols should be observed when holding weddings and funerals in those provinces and counties.

Iranian authorities have blamed a sharp increase in cases on people failing to follow restrictions, and Rouhani said an operations headquarters will be set up to ensure compliance with the health protocols.