Tasnim � Iran�s health minister said a homegrown vaccine for the novel coronavirus has successfully passed the initial tests.

In comments at an online ministerial meeting of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region on Wednesday, Saeed Namaki said Iran has achieved remarkable success in producing the coronavirus vaccine.

�(It has) passed the initial tests and (we) hope to reach promising stages,� the official added.

He also highlighted Iran�s success in synthesizing the medicine for treatment of the coronavirus despite the pressure of cruel sanctions, saying two local pharmaceutical companies are going to supply hospitals across the country with Remdesivir, an antiviral drug used for the treatment of COVID-19.

Namaki also expressed Iran�s readiness for cooperation with regional nations in the fight against COVID-19, saying Tehran has repeatedly informed the friends, neighbors, and regional states that it is prepared to share experiences in containing the coronavirus pandemic.

In April, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ordered the Health Ministry and the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology to focus efforts on the development of a vaccine for the novel coronavirus.

Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Satatri says local researchers in knowledge-based companies have been working on the most complicated pharmaceutical products to prevent and cure the novel coronavirus.