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The Iraqi federal government has issued a stern warning to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) regarding the potential involvement of Kurdish factions in the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. According to multiple officials from Iraq, Kurdistan, and Turkey who spoke with Middle East Eye, Baghdad delivered the ultimatum earlier this week, threatening to deploy federal forces to secure border areas if the KRG fails to prevent Kurdish groups from joining the conflict.

This development emerges amid growing regional apprehensions that Iranian Kurdish opposition parties based in Iraqi Kurdistan might be pressured by Washington to initiate cross-border operations. These groups, possessing thousands of well-organized fighters, represent the most structured segment of Iran’s fragmented opposition. Their involvement, however, would almost certainly provoke severe retaliation from Tehran, potentially dragging Iraq deeper into the escalating regional warfare.

Iran has previously threatened to strike Kurdish bases in Iraq if utilized for attacks, while Turkey consistently views armed Kurdish movements as a fundamental national security threat. Kurdish officials, including Qubad Talabani, KRG Deputy Prime Minister, have publicly distanced themselves from the conflict, emphasizing that participation could unleash unpredictable chaos across the region. Talabani explicitly stated, “This is not our war, and we’ve made that very clear.”

The situation is further complicated by ambiguous signals from the US administration. President Donald Trump initially appeared to encourage Kurdish engagement, suggesting they would need to “choose a side,” but later contradicted this by stating, “I don’t want the Kurds to go in. The war is complicated enough as it is.”

Despite this, two prominent exiled groups—the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) and the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan—have not ruled out joining the war. PJAK recently called for Kurds in western Iran to form local committees, with senior commander Mazloum Haftan articulating goals for a “democratic and decentralised Iran” rather than alignment with either Washington or Tehran.

The conflict originated on February 28th with US-Israeli air and missile strikes targeting Iran’s military infrastructure and nuclear program, described by Washington as efforts to cripple Tehran’s capabilities. Iran denounced the attacks as unprovoked aggression aimed at regime change. The warfare has since expanded, with Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israeli territory, US bases in the Gulf, and regional energy facilities, significantly escalating tensions across Middle Eastern shipping lanes and strategic locations.

Diplomatic efforts to stabilize economic relations between the world’s two largest economies resumed Sunday as Chinese and American delegations convened in Paris for a fresh round of trade negotiations. The talks mark the latest attempt to bridge longstanding commercial differences and establish a more predictable framework for bilateral trade.

The Paris venue, strategically chosen for its neutral ground, provides an opportunity for both nations to address complex trade issues away from the heightened political atmospheres of their respective capitals. The discussions are expected to cover a wide range of topics including tariff structures, market access, intellectual property protections, and supply chain resilience.

This meeting represents a continuation of dialogue that has persisted through various phases of the bilateral relationship, reflecting the mutual recognition that despite strategic competition, economic interdependence necessitates ongoing communication channels. The choice of Paris as host city also signals both countries’ willingness to engage within a broader international context, potentially drawing on European perspectives regarding global trade norms.

Observers are monitoring whether these talks will yield substantive agreements or serve primarily as a confidence-building exercise ahead of potential higher-level engagements. The outcome may significantly influence global market stability and international trade patterns for the coming year.

BEIJING – The complete official document detailing the annual activities and accomplishments of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee has been formally published by Xinhua News Agency. This comprehensive report, initially presented by NPC Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji, received formal endorsement during the concluding session of the 14th NPC on March 12.

The extensive review systematically documents the legislative body’s productivity across six fundamental domains throughout the preceding year. A principal emphasis was placed on reinforcing constitutional implementation and intensifying compliance oversight mechanisms, thereby safeguarding legal uniformity and the integrity of the nation’s rule-of-law framework.

Furthermore, the committee concentrated on refining the quality and scope of its legislative output, crafting laws designed to actively service and underpin the country’s ongoing reform initiatives and developmental objectives. The oversight function of the NPC was rigorously exercised, cementing its critical position within the comprehensive oversight architecture of the Party and state.

The report also highlights initiatives aimed at broadening and enhancing the work concerning NPC deputies, ensuring their capacity to execute their roles effectively was fully supported. On the international stage, the NPC leveraged its distinctive attributes to conduct foreign exchanges, making substantive contributions to China’s broader diplomatic strategy. Concurrently, the committee engaged in profound self-improvement efforts to boost its operational efficacy and legal performance.

Looking forward, the document delineates a clear set of priorities for the upcoming legislative year. These include driving the comprehensive enforcement of the Constitution, advancing the development of a socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics, and refining the precision and effectiveness of supervisory practices. Additional focal points comprise bolstering support for deputies in their lawful duties, pursuing dynamic international engagement, and fulfilling a defined four-fold functional role to ensure comprehensive national governance.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has categorically denied recent reports alleging critical shortages in the nation’s missile defense capabilities amid ongoing hostilities with Iran. Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Saar refuted claims published by Israeli newspaper Haaretz and global news site Semafor, both of which cited unnamed U.S. officials suggesting Israel had alerted Washington about dangerously depleted interceptor stocks.

The current conflict, now entering its third week, has placed unprecedented strain on Israel’s aerial defense networks. Defense systems were already compromised following extensive engagements during last year’s confrontations with Iran, where substantial interceptor resources were expended to neutralize incoming missile threats. The sustained nature of Iran’s recent barrages—reportedly enhanced with cluster munition-equipped missiles that complicate interception protocols—has accelerated the depletion of defensive arsenals.

Despite these challenges, U.S. officials indicate the situation remains within anticipated parameters. One official confirmed to Semafor that Washington had foreseen these developments months in advance, emphasizing that American interceptor reserves remain substantial without similar shortage concerns. This assurance comes amid broader regional anxieties as Gulf partners also face critical shortages, forcing selective engagement protocols against Iranian projectiles.

Technical constraints exacerbate the situation, with annual production of Patriot Pac-3 interceptors limited to approximately 600 units globally. Gulf states have been actively deploying high-cost interceptors from Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems and Patriot missile batteries throughout the conflict.

Minister Saar reinforced the strategic alignment between Israel and the United States, stating both nations remain ‘eye to eye’ in their determination to continue military operations until achieving long-term objectives. ‘Our goal remains the permanent removal of existential threats from Iran—not annual cycles of warfare,’ Saar declared, underscoring the commitment to sustained engagement despite logistical challenges.