As the Iranian regime released the figure of 237 as the official coronavirus death toll in the country,[1] Iranian journalist Mostafa Faghihi, owner of Entekhab.ir, which is affiliated with the conservative pragmatic camp in Iran, tweeted that that the real figure was nearly 2,000. Just the previous day, he added, over 130 had died in Tehran and in Gilan, in northern Iran.[2]
In a subsequent tweet, he wrote: "If only we were as transparent as Italy regarding reporting the statistics on those afflicted by the coronavirus."
The tweets were deleted shortly thereafter.[3]
Following is a translation of his tweet:
Iranian Journalist Faghihi: "Mr. [Health Minister] Namaki, You Aren't Releasing The Actual Numbers... Nearly 2,000" Have Died
"Mr. [Health Minister] Namaki, you aren't releasing the actual numbers of the dead of coronavirus? Fine! I will play my part instead of you! Dear Iranian citizens! The number of dead in the country that are feared to have died of the coronavirus is nearly 2,000 (10 times more than the official figures). Over 130 people died just yesterday in Tehran and in Gilan [in northern Iran]! Mr. Namaki, don't pour more salt [a reference to Namaki's name, which means 'salt merchant' in Persian] on the public's wounds!"
[1] Iranian Health Ministry statistics, Mehr (Iran), March 9, 2020.
[2] See MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 8582, Iranian Majlis Representative From Qom: 10 Deaths Every Day From Coronavirus In The City, The Regime Is Concealing The Numbers Of Dead In Iran; Former Official In Office Of President Rouhani: 'Coronavirus – A Gift From The Clerics Of The Islamic Republic [Of Iran] To The People,' February 24, 2020.
[3] Twitter.com/Faghihimostafa1/status/1236945831577751552, March 9, 2020.
