A member of a council that advises Iran's supreme leader died after falling sick from the new coronavirus, state radio reported, becoming the first top official to succumb to the illness that is affecting members of the Islamic Republic's leadership.

Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi died at a Tehran hospital of the virus, state radio said according to AP. He was 71.

Trying to stem the outbreak of the new coronavirus, Iran on Monday held an online-only briefing by its foreign ministry as Britain began evacuating nonessential staff and families from the country.

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