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CAIRO, June 7-- As the COVID-19 continues to spread in the Middle East, Iran and Turkey have both seen their confirmed cases surpassing 170,000, while Saudi Arabia's total cases exceeded 100,000 on Sunday. Iran's confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 171,789 on Sunday after an overnight registration of 2,364 new infections, official IRNA news agency reported. The pandemic has so far claimed the lives of 8,281 Iranians, up by 72 in the past 24 hours. Besides, 134,349 have recovered and been discharged from hospitals while 2,596 remain in critical condition. Iran's health officials have urged the people to wear face masks in public places, particularly in the public transport vehicles as the country has started to restart businesses and social activities. Turkey's COVID-19 cases increased by 914 to a total of 170,132 on Sunday, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said. Meanwhile, 23 people died in the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 4,692, the minister tweeted. A total of 2,647 patients recovered, raising the total recoveries to 137,969 in Turkey, Koca said, noting that 613 patients are being treated at the intensive care units and 274 are intubated. Turkish people enjoyed a curfew-free weekend as the country on Friday announced to cancel an initially planned weekend lockdown. Lockdowns had been imposed for weekends and national holidays in the country since mid-April. | 
