Iran’s official death toll from the new coronavirus rose by 92 on Wednesday, announced Thursday. “Iran’s coronavirus death toll rises to 4,869, report says it could be higher,” Reuters, April 16, 2020.
This is so bizarre, but so much like the Regime, that I’m pasting part of the story. “The Iranian military unveiled a scientifically-dubious device on Wednesday that could allegedly detect the novel coronavirus with magnetic fields. Iran faces an unpleasant choice between shutting down a sanctions-battered economy once again or continuing to risk a second wave of deadly coronavirus infections. Wishful thinking and miracle solutions are creeping into official discourse as the government deflects criticism of its epidemic response. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) head Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami claimed that a new device developed by Iranian scientists can detect the presence of the coronavirus on surfaces with an eighty percent accuracy within five seconds. He claims that a “bipolar virus” generates a magnetic field which detects other viruses up to a 100-meter radius. “Iran’s Military Says It Can Detect Coronavirus with Magnetic Fields,” Matthew Petti, National Interest, April 16, 2020.
Story quoted in part for shock value, and also to draw readers to the fact the highest ranking military officer, directly reporting to the Supreme Leader, is Iran’s official pushing this fraudulent medical hope. “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims it has invented a device that can detect a person infected with the coronavirus from 100 meters away. Yet, after receiving criticism on the device’s functionality, the IRGC doubled down on the device, insisting that it works. The IRGC commander, Gen. Hossein Salami, told Tasnim News Agency that dozens of countries have contacted Iran about the machine, but it “would not be shared with the Americans until all sanctions are removed.” IRGC spokesman Ramazan Sharif said, “Soon, the production process, technical features and capabilities” of the device will be shared with the media and experts. In response to the international criticism and mockery of the device, Sharif said that “Iranians take more pride and honor in causing the shock and anger of enemies and those who want ill for us.” Salami unveiled the device April 15 on Iranian television. According to Salami, the device can detect an infected surface or individual in five seconds. Scientists working under the Basij designed the device, which uses a magnetic field and reportedly has an accuracy rate of 80%. Many critics, however, pointed out that the device resembles the fraudulent bomb detection wands, invented by a British businessman, that were used in Iraq at the height of suicide bombings.” See the article at “Iran’s IRGC doubles down on claims of coronavirus detection machine,” Al-Monitor, April 16, 2020.
“Iranian press review: Fury as billions unaccounted for in 2018 budget review,” MEE, April 16, 2020.
“Iran’s regime will develop nuclear submarines says navy commander,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, April 16, 2020.
President Hassan Rouhani’s advisor has blasted the state-run television for “advertising” a device that the Revolutionary Guard on Wednesday claimed could detect the coronavirus within a radius of 100 meters. Referring to the state- run television’s report on Wednesday in which the mask-wearing Revolutionary Guard Commander Major-General Hossein Salami announced a breakthrough in detection of coronavirus, Hesameddin Ashena called the broadcast an “advertisement in a news program”. “Do not advertise vaccines, medicine, [coronavirus] test kits or unique and innovative virus detection devices that have not been approved by the Health Ministry,” Ashena who is Rouhani’s media advisor wrote sarcastically. A video posted on Twitter shows the device being tested at a health facility with everyone looking baffled as it fails to detect the virus even a couple of feet away. “Rouhani Advisor Blasts State TV For ‘Advertising’ IRGC’s Virus Detection Device,” Radio Farda, April 16, 2020.
“Iran COVID Deaths Down But Capital Tehran Still In Crisis,” Radio Farda, April 16, 2020.
Another reminder of the ties between the allies Iran and China. “Iran FM Lauds China for Help in Coronavirus Fight,” IFP, April 16, 2020.
“Iran Continuing Religious Building Projects In Iraq Despite Economic Hardship,” Radio Farda, April 16, 2020.
Full of fake claims made by Iran in the past several years. “Iran’s Military Makes Batshit Claim That This Stupid Contraption Detects Coronavirus,” Joseph Trevithick, The War Zone, April 16, 2020. IRGC Gen. Salami said it “generates a magnetic field that screens its surroundings, and is fitted with an antenna that points in the direction of infected targets upon detecting them.”
“Iranian Gov’t Report Says Coronavirus Death Toll 80 Percent Higher than Previously Acknowledged,” Zachary Evans, National Review, April 15, 2020.