Iran has temporarily released approximately 70,000 prisoners due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, Tasnim news agency reported, citing Iranian judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi on Monday.

"Prisoners with underlying medical conditions would be given priority for release," said Raisi.

Hours earlier, Iranian media said member of parliament Mohammad-Reza Rahchamani passed away on Monday due to COVID-19.

On Monday, the country's Health Ministry said a total of 595 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Iran, taking the overall tally to 7,161.

So far, the death toll from the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran has reached 237. 2,394 have recovered.

Read more:

Novel coronavirus outbreak in Iran

Iran to mobilize 300,000 soldiers against coronavirus