Irans rouhani defends virus response despite no lockdown

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has defended the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite criticism over the lack of a nationwide lockdown.

In a televised address on Sunday, Rouhani said that Iran's strategy of gradually reopening the economy and society had been successful in containing the spread of the virus.

"We have not had a lockdown, but we have taken measures to reduce the spread of the virus," Rouhani said. "We have been successful in containing the virus, and our economy has not been severely affected."

Rouhani's comments come as Iran has seen a surge in new cases and deaths in recent weeks, with the country reporting over 4,000 new cases and 150 deaths on Sunday alone.

The Iranian government has faced criticism for its handling of the pandemic, with many arguing that a nationwide lockdown is necessary to prevent the spread of the virus.

However, Rouhani has resisted calls for a lockdown, citing the economic impact it would have on the country.

"We cannot afford to shut down the economy," Rouhani said. "We have to find a balance between health and economy."

Iran has implemented a range of measures to contain the spread of the virus, including social distancing, mask-wearing, and travel restrictions. However, many experts have criticized the government's response as inadequate, citing a lack of testing and contact tracing.

The pandemic has had a significant impact on Iran's economy, with the country's currency, the rial, plummeting in value and inflation soaring.

Rouhani's government has also faced criticism for its handling of the pandemic's impact on the country's healthcare system, with many hospitals reporting shortages of medical supplies and staff.

Despite the challenges, Rouhani remains optimistic about Iran's ability to contain the virus and recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.

"We will get through this crisis," Rouhani said. "We will emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before."