Iran reports more than 100 new virus deaths as fears mount
By NASSER KARIMI and JOSEPH KRAUSSMarch 15, 2020 GMT
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) The official leading Iran’s response to the new coronavirus acknowledged Sunday that the pandemic could overwhelm health facilities in his country, which is battling the worst outbreak in the Middle East while under heavy U.S. sanctions.
Elsewhere in the region, Lebanon ordered residents not to leave their homes except for urgent necessities and even closed down Beirut’s famous Mediterranean boardwalk. Muslim authorities indefinitely closed the Al-Aqsa mosque in east Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam, with prayers continuing to be held on the sprawling esplanade outside.