News in Brief: Armenia is Its Own Peacekeeper, Tensions Rise in the Middle East

Yesterday's news summarized and contextualized:

• Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that if the perception of international relations remained the same as before, Armenia would not be able to exist today. He emphasized that the country must be able to adapt in a rapidly changing world.
• Pashinyan responded to the opposition, stating that in his assessment, they would not be in the next National Assembly. According to him, Armenia must be its own peacekeeper.
• The Prime Minister revealed that before and after the events in Iran, sessions of the Security Council were held. He noted that there is an inter-agency working group that monitors the situation on a daily basis.
• Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan announced that communication has been established regarding the return of Armenian citizens from the Middle East, and safe return routes are being sought.
• Mirzoyan pointed out that some citizens traveled to the region for tourism purposes, and not all cases justify the demand for the state to cover flight costs.
• The Foreign Minister stated that the government is organizing the transfer of citizens, for example, from Dubai to Oman’s airport, from where flights to Armenia can be made.
• According to him, 110 Armenian citizens have already returned to Armenia via organized flights. The possibility of resuming flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi is also being discussed.
• Iran has denied reports that it is ready to discuss a ceasefire in the context of the conflict.
• The Iranian president expressed gratitude to all the individuals and countries that are providing support to Iran in the current situation.
• Iran has launched a missile strike on a Kuwaiti oil refinery.