ISLAMABAD – The Iranian Army has begun drills to prevent and monitor theoutbreak of a new coronavirus as the country steps up its battle againstthe flu-like virus originating from China.
The Army announced on Sunday that the exercises will be conducted under thecommand of its biodefense base and the supervision of Deputy Chief of Armyfor Coordination Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari.
The Iranian Army’s ground forces will play the main role in the war gamesled by Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari.
The drills came three days after Leader of the Islamic Revolution AyatollahSeyyed Ali Khamenei issued an edict to Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff ofthe Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri, emphasizing theneed for the establishment of a “health and treatment base” to prevent afurther spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
The Leader also warned that the outbreak might be the result of a“biological attack” against the Islamic Republic.
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In another development on Sunday, the coronavirus outbreak led theauthorities to change the date for runoff parliamentary elections.
Spokesman for Iran’s Guardian Council Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei said the vote,which was expected to be held on April 17, had been postponed untilSeptember 11.
