U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his claim that the U.S. was set to launch heavy strikes on Iran this past weekend before he called them off and announced a new round of talks.

“We were all set for the biggest attack since World War II, and they called me, and they said, ‘Please don’t do it, let’s talk,'” CBS News quoted Trump as saying at a rally at the Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa in Las Vegas.

The president claimed that the U.S. is “knocking the hell out of” Iran, but said that he would “rather make a deal, because I don’t want to kill people.”

Last week, multiple sources told CBS News that the U.S. and Israel were preparing for a new round of joint strikes on Iran.

However, CBS News learned Saturday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Mr. Trump and cautioned him against conducting the strikes.

Hours later Saturday evening, Trump announced in a social media post that he had agreed “to cancel the attack.” The president said he had received a request from “Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off” because the parameters of a possible peace deal had “been agreed to.”

On Tuesday night, Trump told reporters that a deal was potentially close, and could come as soon as Wednesday or Thursday. 

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has paid his first official visit to Kyiv.

Following talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the sides had discussed bilateral relations, cooperation in the economic and energy sectors, key issues on the international agenda, as well as “Azerbaijan’s significant contribution to Ukraine’s reconstruction.”

Sybiha said the meeting marked another important step in further strengthening the strategic partnership between Kyiv and Baku.

“I thanked Azerbaijan for the humanitarian assistance it has provided since the very first days of Russia’s full-scale war, particularly its support for Ukraine’s energy resilience, the restoration of critical infrastructure and reconstruction efforts,” he wrote on X.

According to Sybiha, Kyiv highly values Azerbaijan’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Ukrainian foreign minister also expressed support for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also extended condolences over the deaths and injuries of Azerbaijani citizens during military operations in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

According to Azerbaijani media, Bayramov said Baku was ready to supply natural gas to Ukraine if necessary and was also considering the possibility of using Ukraine’s underground gas storage facilities to strengthen regional energy security.

He noted that Azerbaijan’s state oil company, SOCAR, has long been present on the Ukrainian market, continues to operate actively in the country and has extensive plans for the further development of energy cooperation.

According to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Bayramov also stressed during the meeting with Sybiha the importance of an early cessation of military hostilities between Russia and Ukraine and a diplomatic settlement of the conflict.

Before the talks, the two ministers attended an exhibition of Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicles. Bayramov also visited the memorial to Ukrainian defenders killed in the war against Russia.

There is a solid basis for the finalisation of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to Fatih Ceylan, former Turkish ambassador to NATO and director of the Ankara Policy Center.

Ceylan shared his views in an interview with Armenpress conducted during a visit to Türkiye by a group of Armenian journalists under an exchange programme.

Asked whether he remained optimistic about the normalisation of Armenia-Azerbaijan and Armenia-Türkiye relations and the establishment of lasting peace in the South Caucasus, given Azerbaijan’s continued insistence that Armenia amend its Constitution before signing a final peace agreement, Ceylan recalled that Armenia and Azerbaijan announced in March 2025 that they had agreed on all provisions of the peace agreement and initialled it in Washington in August 2025 in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump.

“So there is a solid basis for the finalisation of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Direct trade has also begun between the two countries. We should encourage this process so that it reaches the stage of signing and finalisation. That is important. It will be a major turning point for the South Caucasus and will offer a much better outlook for the region’s future. It will not be limited to the South Caucasus but will also include Central Asia. I believe the Central Asian republics are also interested in seeing the agreement finalised. Since the United States is now involved in the process and the European Union is engaged through its connectivity initiatives, everyone is waiting for the agreement to be concluded. Once it is signed, I believe it will oblige both countries to make the necessary changes to their legal systems. That will become a legal obligation for both Armenia and Azerbaijan. The sooner Azerbaijan signs the peace agreement, the better it will be not only for Armenia-Azerbaijan relations but also for Türkiye and Georgia. I believe it will strengthen prospects for regional cooperation, give greater momentum to the process and create a firmer foundation,” Ceylan said.

Asked whether Baku would eventually abandon its precondition and sign the peace agreement with Armenia, the former Turkish diplomat replied:

“I hope so. I am confident that such discussions are taking place, perhaps behind the scenes, between the Turkish authorities and the Azerbaijani leadership. And perhaps not only between Türkiye and Azerbaijan. There are various interested parties, such as the European Union, the United States and the Central Asian countries. So I believe there are contacts aimed at encouraging Azerbaijan to sign the agreement. This is part of an ongoing process which, I hope, will produce a concrete outcome in the form of a signed peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In reality, everything is ready. I am aware of the constitutional issue, but that can be addressed over time because there will be legal obligations for both sides.”

Ceylan also expressed the view that, alongside the peace agreement, Armenia and Azerbaijan could sign a memorandum of understanding committing themselves to implementing those legal obligations. In his opinion, such constitutional changes cannot take place in Armenia at this stage, given the outcome of the recent parliamentary elections.

“Perhaps they could sign a protocol, a memorandum of understanding or another document based on the peace agreement. This is important and could be done. There may be legal formulas that could be developed for application in the bilateral context,” he said.

Asked whether Türkiye could put pressure on Azerbaijan to sign the peace agreement with Armenia, Ceylan said Ankara was already exerting a certain degree of pressure through its actions. In his assessment, examples include the Turkish vice president’s visit to Yerevan and participation in the European Political Community Summit, the agreements reached with Armenia on restoring the historic Ani Bridge, and the reopening of the Gyumri-Kars railway.

“Perhaps this can be seen as direct or indirect pressure by Türkiye on Azerbaijan, signalling that we need this agreement to be signed. Of course, we do not know whether these issues are discussed behind closed doors between Ankara and Baku, and I cannot comment on that. But look at what is happening in practice. The Ani Bridge project, the vice president’s participation in the summit in Yerevan and the completion of railway infrastructure in Kars are, as far as I can judge, signs of a certain degree of pressure being exerted by Türkiye,” Ceylan said.

Commenting on what might happen if Türkiye moved more actively and rapidly towards normalising relations with Armenia, Ceylan suggested that such a scenario could cause some concern in Baku. He noted that Azerbaijan has extensive economic and trade ties with Türkiye and considerable influence there.

“In that case, Azerbaijan could use various instruments in its relations with Türkiye, which could to some extent complicate bilateral ties between Ankara and Baku. That is why Ankara is acting cautiously, while sending signals through such steps as participation in the summit in Yerevan, the restoration of the Ani Bridge and preparations of infrastructure on the Türkiye-Armenia border. These are messages to Baku, showing that ‘we are ready, so do everything you can to achieve full normalisation’. This is not only in Türkiye’s interest but also in Azerbaijan’s, because it will benefit the South Caucasus, Central Asia, Türkiye and Europe. I believe this message is being conveyed in practice and, perhaps, also during closed-door meetings, although I do not wish to speculate,” he said.

Ceylan also argued that Armenia, Türkiye and Azerbaijan, together with Georgia, should take ownership of the normalisation process.

“I believe one thing is very important. First of all, we must take ownership of this process. All three countries, together with Georgia, should take ownership of this regional initiative and this path towards cooperation. That is essential. We should not lose the momentum that has recently been gained in the search for normalisation between Türkiye and Armenia, as well as between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Nor should we forget Georgia as a regional actor. There has already been visible progress in the normalisation of relations between Türkiye and Armenia. Certain infrastructure works are also under way and will be completed once the border is opened. I believe the opening of the border will be a turning point in the normalisation process between Türkiye and Armenia,” he said.

Ceylan added that close contacts between institutions and people in both countries, cooperation in tourism and the development of cultural ties would help build mutual trust between the Armenian and Turkish peoples.

In his view, the prospects are encouraging, and the sooner these developments take place, the better it will be for Armenia, Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

“So we must take ownership of our region and make use of cooperation mechanisms and frameworks without delay,” the former Turkish ambassador to NATO concluded.

The Baku Court of Appeal has upheld the verdicts issued against the former Karabakh leaders and the other Armenians unlawfully held in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani APA news agency reported.

Hearings on the appeals filed by the POWs and other detainees were held today.

On February 5, 2026, a Baku court sentenced the Armenian detainees to prison terms on fabricated charges related to alleged war crimes, accusations they have strongly denied and which have been widely criticized as part of a sham trial.

The Azerbaijani court sentenced former Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, former Deputy Commander of the Defense Army Davit Manukyan, former Speaker of Parliament Davit Ishkhanyan, and former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan to life imprisonment.

Former Karabakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The other individuals being unlawfully detained — Madat Babayan, Melikset Pashayan, Garik Martirosyan, Davit Allahverdyan, Levon Balayan, Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Erik Ghazaryan — were sentenced to between 15 and 19 years in prison.

Former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan’s case was tried separately. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The Armenian government has approved plans to rename three ministries to better reflect their expanding responsibilities.

The proposed changes, approved at the Cabinet meeting, affect the ministries responsible for foreign affairs, high-tech industry, and labor and social affairs.

Under the proposals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be renamed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Ministry of High-Tech Industry will become the Ministry of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs will be renamed the Ministry of Labor and Welfare.

According to the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade will develop and implement government policy in the areas of foreign affairs, the diplomatic service, representing the interests and rights of the Republic of Armenia in international relations, promoting foreign trade and ensuring access to export markets, supporting the attraction of foreign investment, conducting diplomatic and consular relations with foreign states and international organizations, managing the Republic of Armenia’s international treaty relations, protecting the rights and legitimate interests of Armenian citizens and legal entities abroad, and ensuring the state’s official protocol.

The draft also clarifies the functions of the Ministry of Economy.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Economy will develop and implement government policy across a wide range of sectors, including improving industrial competitiveness, enhancing the business environment, promoting foreign trade and investment, encouraging entrepreneurship, supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, tourism, intellectual property protection, regional economic development, improving competition, developing quality infrastructure, strengthening the consumer protection system, crop production, livestock farming, agricultural processing, veterinary services, phytosanitary control, food security and food safety, scientific and technical support and advisory services, agricultural production support services, monitoring agricultural land and ensuring its efficient use, improving and maintaining land reclamation systems, providing state support to agriculture, and regulating gaming activities.

The Ministry of Labor and Welfare will develop and implement government policy aimed at ensuring the well-being of individuals and families and improving quality of life. Its responsibilities will include labor and social protection, employment, volunteer work, social insurance during temporary incapacity for work, the state pension system, social assistance, the provision of integrated social services, the development of the social housing fund, demographic policy, the social protection of families, women, and children, the social protection of persons with disabilities and older persons, ensuring gender equality, preventing violence against women and domestic violence, combating human trafficking and exploitation, and supporting the integration or reintegration of refugees granted asylum in the Republic of Armenia, displaced persons, long-term migrants, and Armenian citizens returning under compulsory return procedures. The ministry’s overarching goal is to ensure a dignified life, independence, and inclusive development for every individual, every family, and communities throughout all stages of life.

The Cabinet has approved the reallocation of 15.65 billion drams (about US$42.8 million) from the state budget to fund the capital repair and technical maintenance of several republican and interstate roads, as well as transport infrastructure facilities.

“The total length of roads included in the program is 63.5 kilometers. Some are of republican significance, while others are interstate roads. A significant portion consists of local roads,” Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan said at the Cabinet meeting, adding that the measures will also include oversight and procurement.

He also noted that additional reallocations had been made under two other consent agenda items previously approved by the government. Of these, 3.7 billion drams had already been allocated for medium repairs of roads with a total length of 76.4 kilometers, while 1.6 billion drams had been allocated for the repair and capital renovation of roads leading to cluster schools, covering a total length of 6 kilometers.

The operator responsible for regulatory oversight in Armenia’s gambling sector will be Malta-registered Random Systems International Limited, which also operates in Georgia, following the outcome of a tender.

Acting Chairman of the State Revenue Committee Eduard Hakobyan said at the Cabinet meeting that a number of reforms had been envisaged under the Law on Regulation of Gambling Activities in 2024, including the introduction of new supervisory tools within the framework of public-private cooperation.

According to Hakobyan, a tender was held following the adoption of the law, with three foreign organizations submitting applications to participate.

“As a result of the tender, Random Systems International Limited was declared the winner. The company has relevant experience and carries out similar activities in neighboring Georgia, where it serves as an operator overseeing gambling activities,” Hakobyan said, emphasizing that the Committee aims to establish modern and effective digital mechanisms and supervisory tools in cooperation with the company.

Hakobyan also noted that the winning company is required to fully implement the electronic management system within six months after the decision enters into force.