Iran likely to face fifth COVID-19 wave due to spread of Delta variant: President Rouhani

Since the pandemic began, the country has reported more than 3.2 million cases and more than 84,000 deaths.

Tehran: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday warned that the country could witness a fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as the highly contagious Delta variant is spreading in the nation. "There are concerns that the whole country may enter the fifth wave if enough care is not taken in following health protocols... The Delta variant entered the country from the south and southeast and we should have been careful to prevent its spread in the country," the New York Times quoted Rouhani`s remarks on state media. Last week, during a meeting with members of Iran`s coronavirus task force, Rouhani said that people need to fully observe safety protocols "so that we do not have to impose severe restrictions again".