Iran's death toll from the global pandemic has risen above 50,000, according to state television, as the country grapples with the worst outbreak in the Middle East.

A two-week partial lockdown in the capital of Tehran and other major cities helped slow, but not stop the rising wave of deaths from the coronavirus over the past few weeks.

President Hassan Rouhani warned that the lockdown could be extended to more cities or reimposed on the capital, if people do not abide by health measures, AP reported.

"Tehran is on the borderline of being in the red zone,” Rouhani said. "All people and public officials should try to implement measures and regulations."