18:00 News in One Line: ECHR's Demanding Requirement for Baku, Mass Arrests in Artashat, US Threat to Iran

Recent news summarized and substantial:

• The ECHR has mandated Azerbaijan to provide copies of court verdicts for Armenian prisoners by August 31. The court rejected Baku's request to lift interim measures, demanding continued provision of information regarding the health conditions and detention circumstances of those imprisoned.
• 14 members and supporters of the "Strong Armenia" party have been arrested on charges of bribery. Law enforcement conducted searches in Artashat, suspecting connections between the members of a criminal group via internet applications.
• Significant reductions in drinking and irrigation water losses have been reported in Armenia, with the construction of five new reservoirs set to begin shortly. According to the Minister of Territorial Administration, projects for reservoirs in Astghadzor, Yelpin, Kasakh, Lichk, and Artik are already prepared.
• Azerbaijan's customs service clarified that goods imported from Armenia are actually flowers purchased from the Netherlands. The flowers had transited through Armenian territory, which erroneously reflected them as Armenian imports in statistics.
• The Pentagon has threatened Iran with blockade of ports and targeting infrastructure if Tehran rejects a peace deal. The U.S. Secretary of Defense emphasized Washington's readiness for decisive actions should Iran refuse.
• The Swedish Armed Forces are warning about a potential Russian attack on Gotland Island and an increase in threats against NATO. Military intelligence anticipates an escalation of tensions in the region due to aspirations for control over the Baltic Sea.
• Turkey is expanding its special operations units by forming 15 new commando brigades. This decision is part of a strategy to modernize the army and respond quickly to new regional threats.
• Massive queues caused by a new biometric system at European airports threaten to collapse the summer tourism season. While industry representatives demand the system be halted, the European Commission insists it is operating normally.