Aryanews-  An Iranian health official anounced the death of a 96-year-old man infected by H1N1 virus, after a new wave of swine flu spread over Iran and its neighbors. 

"This week a 96-year-old man was hospitalized with severe pneumonia due to a weak immune system. He tested positive [for swine flu] and later died despite receiving treatment," said the Deputy Health Minister Hassan Emami Razavi on Wednesday.

He added that the death of the old man raises the number of people killed by swine flu in Iran to two after a 36-year-old female drug addict died on August 26.

The official noted that 328 people have so far been infected in Iran.

Iran has recently imposed certain restrictions on the upcoming annual Hajj pilgrimage, expected to begin on November 19, amid fears of a rapid spread of swine flu in the northern hemisphere.

Individuals over the age of 65 and children younger than 12 as well as people suffering from lung, cardiovascular and kidney diseases and diabetes along with those with active forms of cancer or long-term users of corticosteroids are not permitted to participate in the upcoming Hajj

Pregnant women and those suffering from morbid obesity are among other groups who are also prohibited from attending this year's Hajj.

Previously, Iranian authorities had cancelled the Umrah (the minor pilgrimage) in the holy month of Ramadan with the aim of restricting the spread of the A/H1N1 virus.