Analysis Ahead of Trump-Xi summit, Iran looks to China as guarantor — but with reservations Tehran is closely watching the Trump-Xi meeting to determine whether China will continue acting primarily as a protector or if it will gradually emerge as the power capable of pressuring Iran into a narrower strategic corner. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Kuwait unveils Iran IRGC infiltration plot, arrests 4: What to know According to Kuwaiti authorities, four suspects arrested earlier this month after attempting to enter the country illegally via the sea confessed to belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and planning attacks against Kuwait. Kuwait
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran’s Ghalibaf: US must accept Tehran proposal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US hits China-linked Iran oil trade with sanctions ahead of Trump trip The sanctions come after the United States rejected Iran's latest proposal to end the war. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump rejects Iran's latest proposal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Iran's Rouhani looks to reopen economy despite health officials' warnings Despite warnings by health officials that Iran's coronavirus crisis is still growing, President Hassan Rouhani wants parts of the economy back in motion by April 8. Iran
Many Iraqi politicians resent IRGC meddling in their affairs The new Quds Force commander visited Baghdad in an attempt to resume his predecessor's work, but he faced resistance from Iraqi politicians, who opposed his interference in domestic affairs. Iraq
Several rockets land near site of US oil company Halliburton in Iraq Three rockets have landed near a residential and office complex operated by Halliburton in the southern province of Basra. No casualties have been reported. Iraq
US, Iran-backed forces in Iraq may be edging toward showdown Iran's new Quds Force commander is trying to reunify Iraqi Shiite militias, and escalation against US forces seems to be his strategy. Iraq
Intel: Iran sanctions debate highlights fissure between Democratic hawks, progressives The debate over how to respond to President Donald Trump’s sanctions regime against Iran in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic is creating a fissure between the hawkish and the left wings of the Democratic party. United States
Intel: Joe Biden uses coronavirus crisis to push for Iran sanctions relief Former Vice President Joe Biden, the overwhelming favorite to become the Democratic presidential nominee, came out in favor of humanitarian sanctions relief for Iran to help the embattled country cope with the coronavirus pandemic. United States
Families of Americans detained abroad want more US government attention, study finds An analysis of US hostage policy found that efforts to free Americans wrongfully detained abroad are hampered by unclear policies and confusion. Lebanon
Can Iran's president turn around its economy? Iran's economic plight — compounded by US sanctions, low oil prices and COVID-19 — depends on risky and difficult reforms for a turnaround. Iran
Intel: Soleimani’s successor visits Iraq, then Trump tweets warning to Iran President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday to warn Iran against further attacks on US forces in Iraq — the same day that Iraqi officials told the Associated Press that the new head of the Quds Force had recently visited Baghdad. Iraq
After Trump tweet, Iran warns US about action in Iraq Iranian generals have warned the United States that they will respond if the United States takes action against Iran in Iraq. Iraq
Iranian officials send mixed signals on coronavirus fight Iran’s president once again projected a positive picture on his government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, contradicting alarms raised by health officials. Iran
Iraqi PM-designate may be on futile mission to win Iranian support Iraq's Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi is on the verge of losing his nomination while simultaneously trying to appease the United States and Iran in his Cabinet formation. Iraq