“From the enemy's economic war and the coronavirus pandemic, this year is the most difficult year in our country’s history," Rouhani said during his cabinet’s meeting.
“For 140 years we have not experienced such a disease,” Rouhani added.
Confirmed coronavirus cases in Iran surpassed 220,000 with deaths crossing the 10,000 mark over the last week, according to data from the Iranian health ministry.
Masks become mandatory: Rouhani also added that facemasks are set to become mandatory in areas at risk of increased coronavirus infections starting next week.
Despite a decrease in the number of reported cases in April in Iran, infections started increasing once again during May and June.