Iran Launches world’s first Coronavirus postage stamp amid controversy

By Wayne L. Youngblood

The world’s first coronavirus stamp was released by Iran March 17.

On Tuesday March 17, 2020 (U.S. calendar), Iran unveiled a new 18,000-rial stamp that ostensibly honors medical professionals working on the front lines of the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, according to information found on several Iranian websites.

Titled “Corona Virus Attackers,” the stamp depicts four “Heroes of the Homeland” set against a backdrop of greatly enlarged electron microscope images of the virus itself. The central figure is shown in scrubs and medical mask, holding his left hand up in a universal “Victory” sign. Other figures are shown in a gas mask (at left) and in hazmat suits (background, right). The words “National Heroes” are also found at the lower left of the central design. The stamp was unveiled by Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, during a break of a cabinet meeting.

Iran President Hassan Rouhani cancels the first pane of stamps at an unveiling ceremony during the break of a cabinet meeting.

More specifically, the stamp, which becomes the world’s first coronavirus issue, comes at a time when Iran is fighting accusations that its response to the medical emergency was too slow, including by its own medical community. The release of the stamp also fallows the announcement the week before that all doctors and nurses who have died in Iran battling the virus will be made coronavirus martyrs.

As of this writing (March 21), Iran has reported more than 20,000 cases of the coronavirus and more than 1,500 deaths.

Not surprisingly, a second coronavirus stamp issue will appear sometime in April. The releasing country will be the Peoples Republic of China.