News in Brief: New Laws in Armenia and Developments in Iran

Latest news summarized:

• The National Assembly has passed a law allowing graduates who studied at top universities worldwide and worked in Armenia for at least three years to be exempt from mandatory military service. The law was adopted with a majority vote.
• The situation in the healthcare sector and issues arising from the implementation of the insurance system have been discussed. There was also a reference to the modernization of regional healthcare facilities and the construction of a new medical complex in Vardenis.
• The Central Bank has set maximum commission fees for card transactions conducted via POS terminals for small businesses. The changes took effect on March 1.
• A three-day farewell ceremony for the country's slain supreme leader is planned in Iran. The ceremony will take place at a mosque in Tehran.
• Political circles have expressed that Armenia should learn from the events in Iran and secure several guarantees for safety in the peace process.
• The US government has urged its citizens to leave Cyprus immediately due to security concerns.
• The evacuation of foreigners from Iran is ongoing, with more than a thousand people already crossing the border into Azerbaijan. Among those evacuated are citizens from various countries.
• According to human rights defenders, over a thousand civilians have died as a result of military operations in Iran, with thousands more injured. Strikes have been made on military and civilian infrastructure.
• Iranian sources report that Ismail Qaani, the commander of the Quds Force, has been arrested. He is suspected of espionage in favor of foreign intelligence.
• Foreign sources indicate that the new Supreme Leader of Iran is the son of the slain leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. No official confirmation has been released yet.
• The Catholicos of All Armenians has sent a condolence message to the President of Iran regarding the victims of military operations.
• US Senator Lindsey Graham has stated that upcoming US actions against Iran may be stronger and more extensive.