Iran will reimpose restrictions to stem a surge in coronavirus cases if health regulations are not observed, President Hassan Rouhani has said.

After gradually relaxing its lockdown since mid-April, Iran has seen a sharp rise of new daily infections in recent weeks.

While compliance with health protocols was as high as 80 per cent a month ago, it is now down to 20pc, Rouhani said in a televised speech. He blamed the surge on travellers spreading the coronavirus to previously low-risk provinces.

“If there is no cooperation, we will have to reimpose the restrictions,” Rouhani said, adding that adherence to the health protocols was needed “in order to keep businesses open”.