Iran's death toll from the new coronavirus has increased by 65 over the previous 24 hours to reach 6,156, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV.

The total number of diagnosed cases in Iran has reached 96,448, up by 802 in the past 24 hours, the lowest daily increase rate in weeks, he said, adding that 2,787 were in critical condition. A total of 77,350, or 80 per cent of those infected, have so far recovered.

Iranian health officials have been warning of a new wave of the disease if health regulations are not strictly followed.

“If people do not observe health protocols, the disease will certainly return,” said Mohammad Mehdi Gouya, director of the Health Ministry's communicable diseases department.