Iran has described international outcry at the government's handling of the Coronavirus outbreak in the country as a political war.

President Hassan Rouhani said this, while reacting on criticism of lagging response to the worst coronavirus outbreak in the region during cabinet meeting in Tehran.

He said government had to consider the effect of mass quarantine efforts on Tehran's economy, which is under heavy US sanctions.

Over 2,600 people died while 38,309 others infected due to deadly virus in Iran.