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TEHRAN, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- No evidence has been found that the new COVID-19 variant has spread into Iranian territory, Minoo Mohraz, a leading medical expert in Iran's National Headquarters for Managing and Fighting the Coronavirus, said on Friday.

"So far, no scientific or clinical evidence has been obtained for the arrival in Iran of the new COVID-19 strain," Mohraz said in an interview with official news agency IRNA.

The expert stressed that Iranian researchers have not yet been able to fully observe the sequence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

She noted Iranian authorities recently are launching facilities for the purpose of providing accurate virus sequencing.

On Wednesday, Mohraz mentioned the "possibility" that the new variant may have spread inside Iran, given the surge in the infections and mortality figures registered in the country in October and November, semi-official news agency ISNA reported.

The Iranian Ministry of Roads and Urban Development announced on Sunday a two-week suspension of flights between Iran and concerned states to avoid the spread of the new COVID-19 strain. Enditem