News Digest: Week of October 26

October 26

Health: New lockdowns went into effect in 43 cities across Iran. Nearly all private businesses, religious institutions and government buildings would remain closed until November 20.

Military: The United States threatened to destroy Iranian long-range missiles, if they were shipped to Venezuela. 

 

October 27

Diplomacy: Iran will present a plan to end the Nagorno-Karbakh conflict to Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said. 

Religion: Tehran summoned the French charge d'affairs over a speech by French President Emmanuel Macron on Islam. 

Sanctions: A U.S.-sanctioned plane owned by Iran's Qeshm Fars Air landed in Venezuela, Reuters reported

 

October 28

Health: Iran's daily death toll exceeded 400 for the first time. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf tested positive for the coronavirus, he announced on Twitter. 

 

Nuclear: Iran is building a new underground centrifuge assembly plant, the U.N. nuclear watchdog reported