Turkey's coronavirus cases top 95,000; Iran's tally close to 85,000

Turkey on Tuesday confirmed 4,611 new COVID-19 cases as its tally of infections surpassed 95,000. Meanwhile, Iran's total cases surged to near 85,000.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Turkey, the hardest-hit country in the Middle East, climbed to 95,591, while the death toll surged to 2,259, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted.

He added that 14,918 patients have recovered from COVID-19, while 1,865 are being treated at intensive care units and 1,006 intubated.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the curve of COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey has begun flattening thanks to the timely measures his government has taken.

Calling the pandemic "the biggest crisis after World War II in terms of its economic impacts," he called for preparations "for the new situations that will emerge in the post-epidemic world in our region and our country."

In a phone talk, Erdogan discussed with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin the cooperation in the combating the COVID-19 pandemic. They also pledged to maintain close cooperation on dealing with regional issues.

Iran on Tuesday reported 1,297 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number to 84,802.

The deaths from the virus soared to 5,297, after 88 new fatalities were added. A total of 60,965 coronavirus patients have recovered, with 3,357 still in critical condition.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urged the European countries to oppose U.S. economic sanctions on Iran, which are more "inhumane" when the entire world is fighting the novel coronavirus.

"We expect European countries, especially Italy, to take appropriate stances against such violation of the rules in these difficult circumstances," he said during a phone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

In Israel, the number of daily recoveries from COVID-19 reached a record of 458, bringing the total recoveries to 4,507, the Ministry of Health said.

The total number of coronavirus cases reached 13,942, after 229 cases were confirmed Tuesday. The death toll surged to 184, after seven more patients died from the virus.

Most of the memorial ceremonies for marking the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day were canceled on Tuesday due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced the tightening of measures to fight the virus ahead of the state's Independence Day on April 29, including a full lockdown that will last from next Tuesday afternoon until Thursday morning.

Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics said that Israeli exports to China rose to 1.07 billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 2020, up 9.85 percent from last year, despite the coronavirus pandemic.

In Qatar, the Health Ministry announced 518 new coronavirus cases, raising the total number to 6,533, which included 614 recoveries.

Saudi Arabia reported 1,147 new COVID-19 cases and 150 more deaths, raising the tally of coronavirus infections to 11,631, which include 109 fatalities and 1,640 recoveries.

Morocco confirmed 163 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number to 3,209, which included 145 deaths and 393 recoveries.

In Egypt, the Health Ministry confirmed 157 new coronavirus cases and 14 deaths, bringing the total cases to 3,490, including 264 deaths.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held a phone call with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian to discuss joint efforts to combat COVID-19, and cooperation on regional and international issues.

Algeria reported 93 new COVID-19 cases and eight new deaths from the virus, brining the tally of cases to 2,811 and the death toll to 392.

In Kuwait, the Health Ministry reported 85 new COVID-19 cases and two more deaths, bringing the total infections to 2,080 and death toll to 11.

Iraq's Health Ministry reported 28 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number to 1,602.

On Monday, the third batch of Chinese medical aid arrived in Baghdad as part of China's assistance to boost Iraq's capability to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.