Iran is grappling with one of the deadliest outbreaks in the Middle East, with more than 16,000 fatalities TEHRAN: Iran reported 235 new deaths from the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, a record toll for a single day in the Middle East’s hardest-hit country. “We have lost 235 of our compatriots due to COVID-19 in the past 24 hours,” taking the overall toll to 16,147, said health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari.