U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized Iran and China for suppressing information about the spread of coronavirus which might have harmed a global response.

“The United States is deeply concerned by information indicating that the Iranian regime may have suppressed vital details about the outbreak in that country,” Pompeo said.

He added: “All nations, including Iran, should tell the truth about the coronavirus and cooperate with international aid organizations.”

Pompeo told the reporters: “Had China permitted its own — and foreign journalists and medical personnel — to speak and investigate freely, Chinese officials and other nations would have been far better prepared to address the challenge.”

China holds the majority of coronavirus death with over 2600 official accounts. Iran stands in second place of coronavirus deaths with 15 deaths officially reported. There are contradictory reports about the death toll of coronavirus in Iran. An Iranian lawmaker claimed that 50 people have died in the city of Qom and the deputy health minister, who confirmed he tested positive for coronavirus Tuesday, said the number of deaths stands at 12.