The Iranian president said on Sunday that the application of tough measures in the country to stem the spread of coronavirus was “not possible."

Axar.az reports citing Iranian media.

Speaking during a meeting of Iran’s anti-coronavirus task force in Tehran, Hassan Rouhani opted for a “moderate path” between a total lockdown and ending restrictions fully.

He said the application of tough measures against the pandemic in Iran “leads to depression and anxiety in the society."

The Iranian leader warned that the situation can turn “dangerous” if health protocols are not observed, adding that punitive measures would be taken against defaulters.

The graph of new virus cases and deaths in Iran has seen a slight downward tilt in recent days, with daily deaths sliding down the 200-mark after several weeks.

Rouhani, however, warned that the pandemic is likely to stay around for another six month or until the time a vaccine is developed.