Newsletter: China-Middle East China seeks deconfliction in Iran war regardless of regime future China’s leverage remains limited, with little influence over the US, Israel and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, so it’s left adapting to Iran’s uncertain future through economic adjustments and deconfliction. By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll
UAE billionaire Habtoor openly lambasts Trump over Iran war The Emirati businessman condemned the US president, a former business partner, for his “dangerous” attack on Iran and asked whether he had stopped to consider the collateral damage. United Arab Emirates
Azerbaijan accuses Iran of drone strike on airport The attacks damaged an airport in the Nakhchivan exclave and slightly wounded two civilians. Iran
Which 6 Kurdish groups could join the war in Iran? Iranian Kurdish groups that recently formed an alliance could soon join the United States and Israel in their campaign against the Islamic Republic, Al-Monitor has learned. Iran
Exclusive US-backed Kurdish forces poised to enter Iran from Iraqi Kurdistan 'within days' By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Anti-war movement looks to take Trump to court to stop war with Iran Anti-war groups are lobbying Congress to take President Donald Trump to court on Iran war powers. Saudi Arabia
Pakistan seeks to control spread of virus from Iran Pakistan kept its border open with Iran, a COVID-19 hotspot, perhaps longer than it should have and is now screening thousands of its citizens returning from pilgrimages for the new coronavirus. Iran
Some Iraqis rejecting coronavirus warnings The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq has imposed a ban on communal worship in mosques because of the new coronavirus, but some people are ignoring the danger. Iraq
Iran's top security body rejects lockdown of epidemic areas Iran said its death toll from the coronavirus epidemic will not stop rising until around the second week of April, while insisting that a lockdown on the hardest-hit provinces is not an option. Iran
Mideast oil producers brace for impact of price slide The global coronavirus outbreak and falling oil prices could spell a massive economic slowdown for oil-producing countries in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Iran’s Khamenei cancels new year address over coronavirus Iran’s supreme leader canceled his annual public address in the holy city of Mashhad amid the coronavirus epidemic, which continues to claim lives nationwide. Iran
A cleric's cure for coronavirus becomes butt of jokes in Iran A cleric’s bizarre response to treating COVID-19 in the guise of Islamic medicine has provoked widespread ridicule in Iran. Iran
Coronavirus damages Iraqi economy with fall in tourism, oil prices COVID-19 has harmed both the private and public sectors of the Iraqi economy. Iraq
How Iran’s next parliament will affect foreign policy Though Iran’s conservatives will rule the upcoming parliament, they might not rule with an iron fist as some expect. United States
Iran releases 70,000 prisoners due to coronavirus, judiciary chief says The total number of persons infected with coronavirus in Iran has risen to 7,161 as officials scramble to respond to the spread of the virus. Iran
How will Russia, China support Iran's military after UN arms ban ends? Moscow and Beijing could strike weapons deals with Tehran after the UN arms embargo expires later this year, but their anticipated support will face hurdles. Russia
Iranian officials call for quarantine as coronavirus spreads Some Iranian officials are calling for more restrictive measures as the novel coronavirus continues to spread across the country. Iran
