Coronavirus: Iran temporarily frees 54,000 prisoners to combat spread
Craig TaylorA judiciary spokesman says the inmates were granted furlough after testing negative for Covid-19. BBC News – Middle East
Middle East
Syria war: Turkish drone strikes ‘kill 19 Syrian soldiers’
Turkey, which backs the Syrian opposition, targets government forces after a spike in tensions. BBC News – Middle East
Berlin International Film Festival: Iranian film about executions wins top prize
Director Mohammad Rasoulof is banned from leaving Iran and filmed There Is No Evil in secret. BBC News – Middle East
Coronavirus: Iran cancels Friday prayers to limit spread of outbreak
The country also announces the closure of all schools from Saturday, as deaths rise to 34. BBC News – Middle East
Coronavirus: Iran has no plans to quarantine cities, Rouhani says
The president says it will only quarantine individuals despite Covid-19’s spread nationally. BBC News – Middle East
Coronavirus: Iran’s deputy health minister tests positive as outbreak worsens
Iraj Harirchi, who has strongly denied any cover-up of a growing outbreak, has self-quarantined. BBC News – Middle East