Part 3: Iranian Media on COVID-19 Surge

In June, Iranian newspapers covered the challenges of reopening subways and other public places that get crowded. They highlighted warnings from officials to take precautions when out in public. “We Haven’t Defeated Corona: [President Hassan] Rouhani Warns Restrictions May Return,” read Ebtekar.

In July, a spike in new COVID-19 cases and deaths dominated the front pages of newspapers from across the political spectrum. “Coronavirus Once Again Breaks Records in Less than a Week,” read Javan, a hardline paper on July 6. “Relentless Invasion of Death: 200 Die in One Day,” read Shahrvand, a reformist paper, on July 8. As of early July, nine out of 31 provinces -- Khuzestan, Hormozgan, Bushehr, Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Ilam, West Azarbaijan, East Azarbaijan, and Khorasan Razavi -- were considered "red zones" due to the high number of infections. Hardline, centrist and reformist papers also discussed the imperative for the public’s adherence to health guidelines, including the mandatory wearing of masks at indoor gatherings imposed on July 5. 

In August, headlines reflected the realization that COVID-19 could remain a threat for many more months. “Will Corona Stay with Us Forever?” read Aftab-e Yazd, a reformist paper. Several dailies covered President Rouhani’s extension of the nationwide state of emergency until at least January 2021.  

In September, newspapers covered the controversial decision to open schools in provinces not designated red zones. Some health experts criticized the government for allowing in-person learning. Headlines also reflected concerns over the large number of Iranians who traveled during the holy month of Muharram to visit shrines, family and friends. Several papers warned of a third wave of infections in Tehran and Qom.

In October, lockdowns went back into effect in Tehran and Zanjan provinces after new cases and deaths reached record highs. The following are selected frontpages in chronological order, which were translated by Iran Front Page News.

 

May 31

 

Shahrvand (reformist newspaper):

  • Rouhani: We Won’t Return to Pre-Corona Era Any Time Soon

newspaper

 

June 2

 

Etemad (reformist newspaper):

  • Health Minister Criticizes Full-Time Reopening of Shrines

Etemad

 

June 7

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Iran Wants Businesses to Thrive amid Fight against Corona

Ettela’at newspaper

 

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • Don’t Spread Rumors about Coronavirus Outbreak

Iran

 

Jomhouri Eslami (conservative newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Getting Stronger

Jomhouri

 

June 8

 

Mardom Salari (reformist newspaper):

  • Iran Ranks 7th in Global COVID-19 Fatalities

mardom


June 9

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Subway Source of Second Coronavirus Wave

Arman

 

Shahrvand (reformist newspaper):

  • Red Cross Envoy to Tehran Says Healthcare, Medicine Must Be Exempted from Sanctions

Shahrvand

 

Shargh (reformist newspaper):

  • End of Coronavirus and Scenarios Ahead

newspaper

 

June 10

 

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist newspaper):

  •  Ambiguous Removal of Health Ministry Spokesman

  • Was It Because of Jahanpour’s Political Stances?

Aftab

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Why Was Health Ministry Spokesman Dismissed?

  • Rouhani: Coronavirus Crisis Handled with People’s Cooperation

newspaper

 

Etemad (reformist newspaper):

  • Increased Pressure to Prevent Export of Humanitarian Goods to Tehran

  • Rouhani: Management Based on People’s Participation: From Stock Market to Corona

Etemad

 

Javan (hardline newspaper):

  • Risk of Taking COVID-19 for Granted

javan

 

Mardom Salari (reformist newspaper):

  • Iran Says Restrictions on Int’l Flights Will Be Removed

newspaper

 

Shahrvand (reformist newspaper):

  • 15 Million Iranians Struggling with Coronavirus: Official

Shahrvand

 

June 11

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Corona Surging Again in Iran: Some 178,000 Infected in Iran

Ebtekar

 

June 13

 

Abrar (conservative newspaper):

  • Rouhani: Sanctions, COVID-19 Failed to Stop Iran

Abrar

 

Afkar (conservative newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Did Not Turn into Security Problem: Intelligence Minister

newspaper

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Iran Is Now at Stage of Coping with Corona: Rouhani

Arman

 

Kayhan (hardline newspaper):

  • COVID-19 Patients Using New Iranian Drug Recovering in Larger Numbers

Kayhan

 

June 14

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • We Haven’t Defeated Corona: Rouhani Warns Restrictions May Return

ebtekar

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Iran Unveils ReciGen Drug to Treat Coronavirus

Ettelaat

 

Shahrvand (reformist newspaper):

  • Tired of Virus

  • Tehran Citizens Have Lowest Rank in Observing Social Distancing

Shahrvand

 

June 15

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Abadan Under Siege for Coronavirus

Arman

 

June 16

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Figures Continue to Surge in Iran

Ettela'at

 

Jomhouri Eslami (conservative newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Kills 113 More Iranians

  • Take Coronavirus More Seriously: Minister

Jomhouri

 

Kayhan (hardline newspaper):

  • Gov’t Reaction to Criticisms: People Are Happy with Us; It Could Be 100 Times Worse without Us!

Kayhan

 

Shahrvand (reformist newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Top Priority of Iran Government: Spokesman

Shahrvand

 

June 20

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • People Must Observe Social Distancing Even More than First Wave: Rouhani

  • Second Wave of Coronavirus: 100 People Every Hour

newspaper

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Corona Killing One Iranian Every 12 Minutes: Health Ministry

  • Rouhani Warns about Return of Corona: Gatherings Must Be Avoided

Ebtekar

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Rouhani: Negligence Will Lead to Worse Incident in Fight against Corona

Ettela'at

 

June 21

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Wearing Mask to Become Obligatory

Arman

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Psychological Aftershocks of Political Resolution for Iran Economy

  • Rouhani: Iran Preparing Plan for Obligatory Use of Mask in Public Places

Ebtekar

 

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • Corona Decisions for Summer

  • Coronavirus Wrestling with People Not Wearing Masks!

  • Three Suggestions for Coping with Corona

Iran newspaper

 

Shargh (reformist newspaper):

  • Rouhani: Reopening of Businesses Hinges on People’s Behavior

newspaper

 

June 22

 

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • Health Minister: Corona Has Got 1,000 Faces

newspaper

 

Shahrvand (reformist newspaper):

  • Iran at New, Dangerous Phase of Coronavirus

newspaper

 

June 24

 

Jomhouri Eslami (conservative newspaper):

  • Tehran Friday Prayers Won’t Be Held This Week

Jomhouri

 

Mardom Salari (reformist newspaper):

  • This Year’s Hajj Cancelled for Coronavirus: Only Saudi Pilgrims Will Go to Hajj This Year

newspaper

 

June 25

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Iran Promises Good News on Development of Coronavirus Vaccine

newspaper

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Iran’s Football League Resumed after 117 Days

Ebtekar

 

June 28

 

Kayhan (hardline newspaper):

  • Take Coronavirus Seriously: Virus Kills One Iranian Every 13 Minutes

Kayhan

 

June 29

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Iran Under Strong Wave of Coronavirus: Official

  • Three Important Decisions Made by Gov’t to Contain COVID-19

Ebtekar

 

Jomhouri Eslami (conservative newspaper):

  • Wearing Mask Compulsory as of Next Week

newspaper

 

July 1

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Iran Breaks Records of Coronavirus

  • Rouhani Says Subsidies Allocated for Production of Cheap Face Masks

newspaper

 

July 5

 

Javan (hardline newspaper):

  • Use of Mask Obligatory in All Public Offices, Public Transportation

newspaper

 

July 6

 

Javan (hardline newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Once Again Breaks Records in Less than a Week

javan

 

July 7

 

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist newspaper):

  • Iranian Nurse: My Colleagues Don’t Feel Well Emotionally

  • 239 Scientists to WHO: Coronavirus Can Be Transmitted through Air

aftab

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Social [Media] Campaign Invites People to Wear Mask

  • How People React to Obligation of Wearing Face Mask

Ebtekar

 

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Deaths in Tehran Break Records

  • Date of Reopening Schools May Change If Pandemic Worsens

Iran

 

Hamshahri (centrist newspaper):

  • Coronavirus’ Second Attack on Iran’s Economy

  • Comedy of Horror in COVID-19 Queues: What’s Going on in COVID-19 Testing Labs?

newspaper

 

July 8

 

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist newspaper):

  • Record of Death Broken: 200 Die of COVID-19

newspaper

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Alert: Deadliest Day!

  • 200 Die of Coronavirus in One Day: Health Minister

newspaper

 

Etemad (reformist newspaper):

  • Hot Fever of Coronavirus: 200 Die in 24 Hours

Etemad

 

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • War on Coronavirus Needs Wearing Mask: Experts Warn

newspaper

 

Javan (hardline newspaper):

  • Negligence Leads to Surging COVID-19 Deaths in Iran

Javan

 

Kayhan (hardline newspaper):

  • Return of COVID-19 Restrictions Necessary

Kayhan

 

Shahrvand (reformist newspaper):

  • Relentless Invasion of Death: 200 Die in One Day

newspaper

 

July 9

 

Abrar (conservative newspaper):

  • Iran’s COVID-19 Death Toll Surpasses 12,000

  • WHO: We Are Yet to Reach Peak of Coronavirus Outbreak

Abrar

 

Javan (hardline newspaper):

  • Tehran on Verge of Full Lockdown

  • Health Minister: If We’re Defeated by COVID-19, It’s Because of Sanctions-Hit Economy

Javan

 

July 11

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Rouhani: We Should Impose Smart Regional Restrictions against Corona

newspaper

 

Jame Jam (conservative newspaper):

  • Tehran Must Be Shut Down for Two Weeks: City Council Chairman

Jame Jam

 

Jomhouri Eslami (conservative newspaper):

  • WHO: Be Careful, Coronavirus Can Be Transmitted Through Air!

Jomhouri

 

July 12

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Ahvaz and Kerman Record Highest Number of COVID-19 Fatalities

  • Rouhani: No Country Can Shut Down Its Economy for Six Months

newspaper

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Iranian Vaccine for COVID-19 to Be Released in 3 Months

Ettela'at

 

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • Rouhani Warns about Danger of Coronaphobia, Taking COVID-19 for Granted

newspaper

 

Javan (hardline newspaper):

  • IRGC Mobilized against New Wave of COVID-19

Javan

 

Kayhan (hardline newspaper):

  • World May Once Again Be Put in Full Lockdown

  • It’s Unlikely to Eradicate Coronavirus for Now

Kayhan

 

July 14

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Dancing on Seats of Iran’s Parliament

  • MPs in Danger of Infection as They Don’t Observe Social Distancing, Don’t Wear Mask

Ebtekar

 

Etemad (reformist newspaper):

  • Pain of Watching People’s Death: Psychologist Talks about Psychological Damages of Nurses Taking Care of COVID-19 Patients

Etemad

 

Khorasan (centrist newspaper):

  • 13,000 People Die of Coronavirus in Iran

Khorasan

 

Mardom Salari (reformist newspaper):

  • Number of Employed People in Iran Reduced by 1.5 Million

newspaper

 

July 18

 

Jomhouri Eslami (conservative newspaper):

  • New COVID-19 Restrictions in Tehran as of Today

  • WHO: Countries that Lifted COVID-19 Restrictions Hastily Are Seeing Return of Virus

newspaper

 

July 19

 

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist newspaper):

  • Iran on Verge of Herd Immunity: Rouhani

  • President: Over 25 Million Iranians Have Contracted Coronavirus So Far

Aftab

 

Ebtekar (reformist newspaper):

  • Rouhani: 25 Million Infected with COVID-19, 35 Million to Contract It

newspaper

 

Hamshahri (centrist newspaper):

  • Post-Corona Crisis More Complicated than Coronavirus Crisis

Hamshahri

 

July 20

 

Khorasan (centrist newspaper):

  • Profiteering with Coronavirus Test

newspaper

 

Mardom Salari (reformist newspaper):

  • Why COVID-19 Statistics Not Accurate in Iran?

newspaper

 

Shargh (reformist newspaper):

  • 50% of COVID-19 Victims Are from Tehran

Shargh

 

July 21

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Rouhani: We Should Use Opportunity of Border Reopenings after Coronavirus

Ebtekar

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Increased COVID-19 Infection among Iranian Children

newspaper

 

Jame Jam (conservative newspaper):

  • Hardworking Editor-in-Chief of Jame Jam Dies of Coronavirus

newspaper

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Decreased Marriage Rate under Coronavirus

Ebtekar

 

July 23

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Health Ministry Opposed to Holding Second Round of Parliamentary Elections

newspaper

 

Vatan-e Emrooz (conservative newspaper):

  • Iranian Vaccine for Corona

  • Preliminary Tests Successfully Passed: Health Minister

newspaper

 

July 25

 

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist newspaper):

  • Why Doesn’t Turkey Reopen Aerial Borders with Iran?

newspaper

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Rouhani Says University Entrance Exams, Muharram Mourning Ceremonies Will Be Held Regardless of Coronavirus

newspaper

 

July 26

 

Abrar (conservative newspaper):

  • Over 12,000 Army Personnel Helping with Coronavirus Containment: Official

newspaper

 

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Rouhani: We Didn’t See Any Big Crisis Despite Sanctions, Coronavirus!

  • Muharram Mourning Ceremonies Must Be Held Either in Red or White Zones

Ebtekar

 

Etemad (reformist newspaper):

  • Concerns about University Entrance Exam at Time of Coronavirus

cases

 

July 27

 

Afkar (conservative newspaper):

  • Tehran Has Turned into Epicenter of Coronavirus in Iran

newspaper

 

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist newspaper):

  • Iranian Nurse: We Are Being Destroyed

newspaper

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • We’ll Have 200 COVID-19 Deaths Every Day If Number of People Hospitalized Doesn’t Drop: Official

newspaper

 

July 28

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Makeshift Hospitals to Be Launched in Tehran

newspaper

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Zarif: Post-Corona World Won’t Be Western Anymore

newspaper

 

July 29

 

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • Red Alert for Coronavirus in Tehran

Iran newspaper

 

Javan (hardline newspaper):

  • Contradictory Remarks by Officials about Development of Coronavirus Vaccine

javan

 

Kayhan (hardline newspaper):

  • Iran’s COVID-19 Daily Death Toll Sets New Record: Tehran at Red State

newspaper

 

Mardom Salari (reformist newspaper):

  • Corona Deaths in Iran Break Records

Mardom

 

August 1

 

Afkar (conservative newspaper):

  • Health Ministry Allowed to Hire 10,000 New Personnel

newspaper

 

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist newspaper):

  • Rouhani: We’re Moving Past Peak of Coronavirus Outbreak

newspaper

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Iran Leader: Imam Hussein Mourners Must Obey Decisions of National Coronavirus Headquarters

  • Hospitals of Qom and Tehran Have No More Beds for New Patients

newspaper

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Rouhani: Protecting People’s Lives Top Priority of Gov’t

Ettela’at

 

August 2

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Rouhani: COVID-19 Restrictions to Remain in Place Until Vaccine Distributed

Ebtekar

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Rouhani: 10 Provinces Get Past the Peak of COVID-19 Outbreak

 

Ettela’at Newspaper

 

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • Punishment for Violating COVID-19 Restrictions

  • Rouhani: Those Who Break COVID-19 Rules Must Be Punished as Offenders

Iran

 

Mardom Salari (reformist newspaper):

  • Protecting People’s Lives Can’t Be Compromised by Any Religious Rite: Scholar

newspaper

 

Shahrvand (reformist newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Out of Control in Tehran

Shahrvand

 

August 3

 

Afkar (conservative newspaper):

  • Parliament Speaker: University Entrance Exam Must Be Postponed

Afkar

 

August 9

 

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist newspaper):

  • Temporary Withdrawal of Coronavirus

Aftab

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Iran Develops ‘Adaptation to Corona’ Program

Ebtekar

 

Javan (hardline newspaper):

  • Observing Protocols Leads to Decline in COVID-19 Deaths

Javan

 

August 10

 

Abrar (conservative newspaper):

  • Rouhani: Coronavirus Will Stay with Us for at Least 6 Months

Abrar

 

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Rouhani Says Those Violating Anti-Corona Restrictions Will Be Punished

Ebtekar

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Rouhani: People’s Social Lifestyle Must Be Changed to Defeat Corona

Ettela’at

 

August 11

 

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist newspaper):

  • Will Corona Stay with Us Forever?

Aftab

 

August 12

 

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist newspaper):

  • Iranian Doctors Reject Russian Vaccine for Coronavirus

Aftab

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Health Ministry: Critical Corona Cases Down by 25%

newspaper

 

August 13

 

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist newspaper):

  • Iran Sets Two Conditions for Import of COVID-19 Vaccine from Russia

newspaper

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Iranian Vaccine on Verge of Being Tested Clinically: Health Minister

newspaper

 

August 15

 

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist newspaper):

  • Vaccine Won’t Save People from Coronavirus: A Report on Global Competition to Develop Vaccine

Aftab

 

August 17

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Six Million People Lose Their Jobs Because of COVID-19

newspaper

 

August 19

 

Javan (hardline newspaper):

  • Iran’s COVID-19 Deaths Near 20,000

Javan

 

 

Shahrvand (reformist newspaper):

  • Idea of Holding School, University Classes in Person Rejected

Shahrvand

 

August 20

 

Abrar (conservative newspaper):

  • Vaezi: Iran Will Definitely Buy WHO-Approved Vaccine for COVID-19

newspaper

 

August 23

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Rouhani: Vaccine for Coronavirus Has Yielded No Definite Result

newspaper

 

Iran (hardline newspaper):

  • Agriculture Minister: Iranian Vaccine for Corona in Clinical Test Phase

newspaper

 

Javan (hardline newspaper):

  • Health Minister: Basij Forces Did Not Leave Us Alone in Fight against COVID-19

newspaper

 

August 24

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • New Wave of Coronavirus in Autumn

  • Official Says Iran’s COVID-19 Vaccine in Good Phases

Arman

 

August 31

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Iranian Muslims Show Their Culture by Observing Health Protocols in This Year’s Ashura

newspaper

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Face Masks Replace Free Foods Distributed in Muharram

  • Rouhani Urges Health Ministry to Buy COVID-19 Vaccine Developed by Other Countries

Ebtekar
 

September 1

 

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • People’s Trips in Recent Holidays to Result in Another Peak of Coronavirus Outbreak

hardline newspaper

 

September 5

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Iran Starts New School Year amid Coronavirus Outbreak

centrist

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • 14.5 Million Students Start New School Year as Parents Are Worried

newspaper

 

September 6

 

Afkar (conservative newspaper):

  • Iran’s Medical Official Urges Education Ministry to Reconsider Decision to Reopen Schools

Afkar

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Iran’s Medical Council Criticizes Reopening of Schools with In-Person Learning

newspaper

 

Sazandegi (centrist newspaper):

  • Arba’een Pilgrimage Banned This Year over COVID-19: Rouhani

newspaper

 

September 7

 

Mardom Salari (reformist newspaper):

  • Legal Punishments for Those Who Violate COVID-19 Restrictions

newspaper

 

September 8

 

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • In-Person Education Not Obligatory for Iranian Students Despite Reopening of Schools

newspaper

 

September 9

 

Setareh Sobh (reformist newspaper):

  • Health Minister Urges WHO Chief to Provide Iran with Medicine, Humanitarian Items

newspaper

 

September 13

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Tehran in Worst Coronavirus Situation

Arman

 

September 15

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Third Wave of Coronavirus Beginning in Some Provinces

Arman

 

September 16

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper)

  • Health Minister: Most Provinces Faced with Rise in COVID-19 Outbreak

Ettelaat Newspaper

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper)

  • Third Wave of Coronavirus in Tehran and Qom

Arman Sept 16

 

September 19

 

Mardom Salari (reformist newspaper)

  • Entire Iran in Red COVID-19 Situation

Mardom Sept 19

 

September 20

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper)

  • Corona at Third Peak: Doctors Say Don’t Wait for Vaccine, Observe Health Protocols

Ebtekar Sept 20

 

Javan (hardline newspaper)

  • 600 May Die of COVID-19 Every Day in Third Wave

Javan Sept 20

 

September 22

 

Mardom Salari (reformist newspaper)

  • Iran Pre-Orders Coronavirus Vaccine

Mardom Sept 22

 

Shahrvand (reformist newspaper)

  • Flu Vaccine to Decrease Side-Effects of COVID-19

Shahrvand Sept 22

 


September 23

 

Iran (conservative newspaper)

  • Number of Iran’s COVID-19 Infections Break Records

 Iran Sept 23

 

Aftab-e Yaz (reformist newspaper)

  • Coordinates of Third Wave of COVID-19 Outbreak

Aftab e Yaz Sept 23

 

September 24

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • COVID-19 Explosion in 24 Red Provinces: Officials Express Concern

Arman

 

September 26

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Iran to Punish Those Not Observing Protocols, May Restore COVID-19 Bans

Ebtekar Sept 26

 

Sazandegi (centrist newspaper):

  • Difficult Week for Tehran: COVID-19 Restrictions Must Be Restored in Capital

Sandazagi

 

September 27

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Anti-Coronavirus Measures to Get Tougher

Ebtekar

 

Shargh (reformist newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Trouble for Government

Shargh

 

September 28

 

Etemad (reformist newspaper):

  • Iran’s COVID-19 Fatalities Exceed 25,000

Etemad

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Third Wave of COVID-19 in 26 Provinces: 158 Cities in Red State

Ettelaat

 

September 29

 

Etemad Newspaper:

  • 700 People Hospitalized for COVID-19 in Tehran Every Day

Etemad

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • This Wave of Coronavirus Epidemic to Continue Unabated

Ettelaat

 

Jomhouri Eslami (conservative newspaper):

  • Red Alarm of Coronavirus in 26 Iranian Provinces

Jmhouri

 

September 30

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Number of COVID-19 Daily Infections 23 Times More than March

Melli

 

 

October 3

Kayhan (hardline newspaper):

  • 30 Iranian Provinces in Red, Orange COVID-19 Zones

Oct 3 Kayhan

 

October 4

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Rouhani Says Those Not Observing COVID-19 Protocols Will Be Fined

Oct 4 Ebtekar

 

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Tehran Finally Shut Down over COVID-19

Oct 4 Arman

 

October 5

Etemad (reformist newspaper):

  • Take Coronavirus Seriously

Oct 5 Etemad

 

Shargh (reformist newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Breaks Fatalities Record in Tehran

Oct 5 Shargh

 

October 6

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist newspaper):

  • What Would Happen If Rouhani Contracts Coronavirus?

Oct 6 Aftab

 

October 7

Javan (hardline newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Creates Division: Rouhani Cancels Meeting over Qalibaf’s Visit to COVID-19 Patients

Oct 7 Javan

 

October 10

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Supreme Leader Orders Armed Forces to Give Their Medical Facilities to Coronavirus Patients

Oct 10 Ettelat

 

October 12

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Spreading Faster

  • Health Minister: We’re in Very Difficult Circumstances

Oct 12 Ettelat

 

Kayhan (hardline newspaper)

  • 251 Deaths in One Day

  • Coronavirus is Closer to You than What You May Think

Oct 12 Kayhan

 

Khorasan (centrist newspaper)

  • One Coronavirus Death Every 6 Minutes

  • With 251 victims, the number of deaths per day in the country has reached the highest figure in 8 months

Oct 12 Khorasan

 

October 13

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper)

  • Has the Coronavirus Vaccine Emerged from the Laboratory?

  • After a successful trial of the vaccine on monkeys, clinical trials will begin in 3 weeks

Oct 13 Aman  

 

October 14

Vatan-e Emrooz (conservative newspaper)

  • IRGC Against the Coronavirus

  • All of the medical facilities of the IRGC came to the field to help medical staff

Vatan

 

Setareh Sobh (reformist newspaper)

  • Two Experts’ Warning about the Danger of the Spread of Coronavirus

  • Iran’s Coronavirus Patients Exceed 500,000

Oct 14 Sobh

 

October 15

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Restrictions Implemented in 5 Provinces

  • Travel to and from Tehran, Karaj, Esfahan, Mashhad and Urmia banned until noon Sunday, October 18

 Oct 15 Ettelat

 

October 18

Hamshahri (centrist newspaper):

  • How Coronavirus Conquered Tehran

  • Hamshahri’s report on the distribution map of the COVID-19 outbreak in Tehran, which is being published for the first time

Oct 18 Hamshahri 

 

October 19

Javan (hardline newspaper):

  • Enforce the Law, Don’t Beg [People to Observe COVID-19 Restrictions]

  • 86 percent of people want the government to punish those violating coronavirus restrictions

Oct 19 Javan  

 

October 20

Vatan-e Emrooz (conservative newspaper):

  • Bread Expensive, Life Cheap

  • The daily death doll of coronavirus reached a terrifying number: 337 people

Oct 20 Vatan

 

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist newspaper):

  • Dark Day of Coronavirus: 337 People Die

Oct 20 Aftab

 

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • 337 People Died

  • Coronavirus incursion statistics are bitter and worrying

Oct 20 Iran

 

October 21

Etemad (reformist newspaper):

  • Death Prowling in the Streets

  • A blow to public confidence and hope

  • The reason for the low level observance of health protocols in the country

Oct 21 Etemad

 

October 22

 

Khorasan (centrist newspaper):

  • Tsunami of Severe COVID-19 Infection

  • Over 5,000 Patients in Severe Conditions; 6,000 New Infections

Khorasan Oct 22

 

October 26

 

Hamshahri (centrist newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Changes Color: Strict Measures in Tehran and 43 Towns

Hamshahri Oct 26


October 28

 

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • Dark Autumn Day for Coronavirus Outbreak in Iran

Oct 28 Iran

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Sanctions Impeded Import of Flu Vaccine: MP

Oct 28 Ettelaat

 

October 29

 

Mardom Salari (reformist newspaper):

  • Quarantine After Propaganda Visits to Hospitals

  • Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf announces that he has contracted coronavirus

Mardom Oct 29

 

October 31

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • IRGC Chief: 54,000 Basij Centers to Protect People’s Health

Ettelaat Oct 31

 

November 2

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Government Deliberating a Two-Week Shutdown of Tehran to Control COVID-19

Nov 2 Ettelaat

 

November 9

Kayhan (hardline newspaper):

  • Unprecedented Increase in Coronavirus Casualties Yesterday: 459 Victims

 Nov 9 Kayhan Frontpage

 

November 10

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Challenges of Shutting Down Tehran

Nov 10 Ebtekar

 

Khorasan (centrist newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Vaccine Shakes the World

  • Oh God, may this not be my last shift…

    • Despite the 35,000 coronavirus infections and 70 deaths among nurses, little attention to health protocols continues and their livelihood problems have not yet been solved.

Nov 10 Khorasan

 

Mardom Salari (reformist newspaper):

  • Everyone speaks of the necessity of shutting down the capital but…

  • No One Knows Why They Don’t Shut Down Tehran!

Madrom Nov 10

 

 

November 11

Etemad (reformist newspaper):

  • Nights of Quarantine

  • Cost of Quarantine in Tehran is IRR 280,000 Billion

Etemad Nov 11

 

November 15

Etemad (reformist newspaper):

  • Coronavirus Restrictions Intensified

  • Once again, on the eve of announcing coronavirus decisions, the debate over the health minister’s resignation was raised

Nov 15 Etemad

 

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • Be Prepared for Another Shutdown in Azar (Nov. 21 – Dec. 20)

  • In Tehran and 100 “red” cities, shutdowns and tough restrictions to fight coronavirus will be implemented starting November 21

  • The president is not opposed to a Tehran lockdown

Nov 15 Iran newspaper

 

November 16

Arman-e Melli (reformist newspaper):

  • Rouhani Orders Strict Punishment for Those Violating New Coronavirus Restrictions

Nov 16 Arman

 

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • Announcing a Comprehensive Lockdown

  • It will be implemented throughout the country beginning on November 21

  • Rouhani: According to experts, with a comprehensive shutdown, we will prevent the progression of the destructive coronavirus, and the government’s main duty is to protect the people’s health

Nov 16 Iran

 

November 17

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • Rouhani: Our Top Priority is to Protect Every Iranian’s Life

  • Tehran’s Prescription: Quarantine or Shutdown?

 Nov 17 Iran

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Lockdown and Ban on Travelling Overnight in 150 Cities

  • A ban on travelling between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. will be implemented in “red” cities

Nov 17 Ettelaat

 

November 18

Khorasan (centrist newspaper):

  • Production Starts on Rapid Coronavirus Test Kits

Nov 18 Khorasan

 

 

November 19

Javan (hardline newspaper):

  • Parliament’s Aid Package Forces Government to Support People Amid COVID-19

Javan Nov 19

 

November 21

Iran (conservative newspaper):

  • Two Vital Weeks for Containing Coronavirus

    • Coronavirus shutdowns and restrictions begin today

    • Experts discuss the necessity of people’s cooperation and empathy, as well as governance to prevent a black wave of coronavirus

Iran Nov 21

 

November 22

Etemad (reformist newspaper):

  • Infighting and Resignation Amidst Coronavirus: Deputy Health Minister Resigns

Etemad

 

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • Warning: 83 Percent of People Infected with Coronavirus at Family Gatherings

Nov 22 Ettelaat

 

November 23

Ettela’at (centrist newspaper):

  • 13,000 Patients and 475 Deaths; the Latest Daily Coronavirus Statistics

Ettelaat

 

Ebtekar (centrist newspaper):

  • Tehran Doesn’t Look Like a City That’s Been Hit by Coronavirus

    • New restrictions have failed to decrease traffic

 

December 2

Hamshahri (centrist newspaper):

  • Temporary Calm in Hospitals

 

Related Data and Analysis:

 

Photo credits: All photos from Iran Front Pages (CC by 4.0)
Some of the information in this article was originally published on July 8, 2020.