Iran's FM urges collective efforts against COVID-19

"We either win together or lose together," Iranian foreign minister says, urging collective efforts by international community to fight against COVID-19, as the number of confirmed cases in the country reaches 4,747.

TEHRAN, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that international community "has a duty" to help Iran fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak, Press TV reported on Friday.

Iran's efforts to contain COVID-19 would only succeed if countries in the region and around the world shoulder their share of responsibilities and cooperate with Tehran, Zarif was quoted as saying.

"We either win together or lose together," said Zarif, adding that global and regional cooperation is "imperative."

People wearing masks shop at a shopping center in northern Tehran, Iran, on March 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz)

The Iranian foreign minister said that Iran is closely cooperating with international agencies, such as the World Health Organization, to contain the spread of the virus in Iran and into other countries.

Iran announced on Friday that the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the country has affected 4,747 people, out of whom 124 have died. ■