Iranian official involved with Ron Arad mystery dies of coronavirus
"Sheikholeslam's death is the most significant of the Iranian senior officials to have died [from the coronavirus] so far"
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFIranian official involved in US embassy hostage crisis dies of coronavirus(photo credit: WIKIPEDIA)
Former Iranian Foreign Ministry advisor Hossein Sheikholeslam, 68, died on Thursday after contracting coronavirus earlier in the week, according to Radio Farda. Sheikholeslam tested positive for the virus two days prior and was taken to a local hospital in Tehran where all infected Iranian officials are currently being treated.The Iranian official was considered to be involved with the Ron Arad Mystery, according to Ynet News.Israeli Air Force Navigator Ron Arad was taken captive in Lebanon in 1986 after a bombing mission over southern Lebanon. His plane was severely damaged when one of its ordinances prematurely exploded near the aircraft.Arad was listed as missing in action by the IDF for 31 years, until two intelligence reports by IDF intelligence and the Mossad claimed he most likely died in captivity.Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh expressed his condolences to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on the passing of Iran's Sheikholeslam's death, according to the Abu Ali Express Telegram channel."Sheikholeslam's death is the most significant of the Iranian senior officials to have died [from the coronavirus] so far," Haniyeh said, Abu Ali reported.Sheikholeslam was mostly recently the advisor to the Iran's Foreign Affair's Minister Mohammad Zarif, served as Iran's deputy foreign minister during the establishment of Hezbollah in Lebanon in 1980, according to Radio Farda. He held the position for 16 years, the longest held position by any high ranking Iranian official."Israel should leave the Middle East," he was quoted with saying on Islamic Republic’s Ofogh (Horizon) TV in the summer of 2018, as he elaborated on the number of missiles ready to launch towards Israel from Gaza, Syria, and LebanonThe number of deaths from the coronavirus have reached 237 on Monday, as Iran's Health Ministry reports 70 more deaths over the weekend, and a total of 7,161 infections cases.Idan Zonshine contributed to this story
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