Death toll of Iran’s recent floods hits 70

Ahmad Shojaei said on Saturday that the southern province of Fars had the biggest death toll of 21, followed by the western province of Lorestan, 15 citizens of which fell victim to the floods. 

He said that the declared death toll has been confirmed by the Coroner's Office. 

The disaster began with heavy rainfalls in the northern provinces of Iran since March 19, and continued across Iran with flash floods in southern, central and western provinces.

The floods, which involved at least 25 provinces, coincided with the high season of Iranians’ trips as they were spending the national two-week holidays of Nowruz. 

Despite the urgent need of Iranian people to preliminary aids, Iranian people were left without any help on the side of global humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross, due to US unilateral sanctions on Iran.

Calling the sanctions 'economic terrorism', Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Twitter slammed the US for defying the UNSC resolution 2231 and the ruling of Internaitonal Court of Justice.

He said that President Trump's 'maximum pressure' has impeded the aid efforts by Iranian Red Crescent to all communities.

President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer, has criticized politicizing humanitarian aids, saying sanctions have hindered issuance of assistance. He made the remarks at a UN Security Council meeting on the promotion and strengthening of the rule of law: international humanitarian law: 'Safeguarding Humanitarian Space'.

Despite the pressures, however, many countries, including the European allies of the US offered their helping hands to Iran.

German Ambassador to Tehran Michael Klor Berchtold said that his country will provide Iranian flood-stricken people with humanitarian aids, including 40 boats.

British Red Cross announced readiness for supplying aids to Iranian flood-hit people. Turkey too deployed consignments for Iranian people and assured Tehran that it was beside it in handling the difficulty.

Many other heads of states or missions expressed their sadness over the tragic flooding in Iran, and said they were ready to help Iran in the difficult situation.

During the crisis, many Iranian popular groups and charity institutions stepped in shoulder-to-shoulder with the country's Armed Forces in rescue and relief operations.

Irrespective of their race, ethnicity or language, Iranians displayed a high level of affection and solidarity during the tough days of flood. The unity and cooperation was so eye-catching that media described the disaster as the 'flood of sympathy'.

The government bodies and organizations did not stand idly by. Iranian President in regular contacts was briefed by local officials and governors, and gave them the necessary orders on the process and procedure of relief operations. He also deployed special envoys to various flood-hit areas to assess the situation closely and oversee the relief activities.