"We confirmed 49 fatalities in the past day. At least 194 of our compatriots have died," Kianush Jahanpur announced on the IRINN television channel.

Meanwhile, the Iran Air national flag carrier has suspended all Europe-bound flights amid the growing spread of the coronavirus.

"All of the carrier's flights to Europe are temporarily suspended until further notice," the company said.

The country witnessed 743 new cases of infection in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 6,566, Jahanpur said, adding 2,134 had recovered since Iran reported its first cases on February 19.