Iran’s government has issued a statement that it is very transparent regarding the coronavirus crisis, and is supported in its position by WHO.  For anyone who scans the news of Iran daily, or who reads the news of Iran daily posted on this blog, they know that statement to be categorically false.  A number of authoritarian states are known for their tight control and misleading statements, so they can hide truth and stay in power.  Iran is one of those countries whose officially-released Covid-19 numbers and information are so unreliable that other countries do not include them in models.  “Iran likens remarks by German health minister to April fool’s joke,” Tehran Times, April 4, 2020.

158 dead on Friday, reported on Saturday by the Health Ministry.  See “UPDATE 1-Iran escaped prisoners back in jail amid coronavirus epidemic,” Reuters, April 4, 2020.

Pres. Rouhani had ordered the Health Ministry to provide separate reports on the number of the victims in each province.  This has not happened yet, and I doubt it will because it will show that the parts together do not equal the reported sum.  This is how Radio Farda’s experts and others know that Iran in underreporting their nation-wide death numbers—they are less than those daily reported from the major cities and regions.  “Radio Farda Estimates 78,000 Infected By Coronavirus In Iran,” Radio Farda, April 4, 2020.

“Iran completes oil products storage terminal, names it after Soleimani – ILNA,” Reuters, April 4, 2020.

“Economists In Iran Warn President Of Possible Unrest Amid Coronavirus Damage,” Radio Farda, April 4, 2020.

“Iran Steel Output Rises 40.5%,” Financial Tribune, April 4, 2020.