Iran said it was reviewing a U.S. peace proposal that sources said would formally end the war while leaving unresolved the key U.S. demands that Iran suspend its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson cited by Iran’s ‌ISNA news agency said Tehran would convey its response.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he believed Iran wanted an agreement.

“They want to make a deal. We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal,” Reuters quoted Trump as saying at a press briefing in the Oval Office.

Earlier in the day, Trump had sounded more pessimistic about the chances of a deal. In a Truth Social post, he threatened to restart the U.S. bombing campaign in Iran, calling the possibility of Tehran agreeing to the latest U.S. proposal a “big assumption.”

A Pakistani source and another source briefed on the mediation earlier said an agreement was close on a one-page memorandum that would formally end the conflict. 

Prosecutor General of Armenia Anna Vardapetyan held a meeting in Yerevan with President of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Tomoko Akane.

According to a readout, Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan welcomed President Tomoko Akane and emphasized that this is the first time a sitting President of the International Criminal Court has visited Armenia, which demonstrates the commitment to developing and deepening cooperation between Armenia and the ICC.

On February 1, 2024, Armenia became a member of the International Criminal Court, joining the Rome Statute as the 124th State Party and the 19th state from the Eastern European group.

During the meeting, the parties highlighted the importance of advancing bilateral cooperation and strengthening institutional partnership, particularly in the context of enhancing prosecutors’ capacities in the investigation of international crimes. Among other issues, they also discussed matters related to the collection of evidence in criminal proceedings, as well as the protection of victims and witnesses.

Vardapetyan expressed interest in implementing joint training programs with the International Criminal Court, expanding technical cooperation, and developing mechanisms for the exchange of experience. The importance of a victim-centered approach in criminal proceedings was also emphasized.

Vardapetyan and Akane reaffirmed their readiness to develop effective and transparent mechanisms of cooperation and to continue constructive dialogue.

Armenian Ambassador to the Netherlands Viktor Biyagov, Chef de Cabinet at the Office of the ICC President Hirad Abtahi, and others also participated in the meeting.

Armenian Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan met with a delegation led by Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže to discuss cooperation.

According to the ministry’s readout, Minister Hayrapetyan outlined the Armenian government’s priorities for the development of the high-tech sector.

The two sides discussed access to high-performance computing resources in the field of artificial intelligence, as well as issues related to the development of AI factories.

Key topics of the meeting also included Armenia’s Law on Cybersecurity and its implementation process, as well as opportunities for cooperation in capacity building and the protection of critical infrastructure.

The two sides also discussed the exchange of experience in the development of digital infrastructure, the promotion of the startup ecosystem, the defense industry, and the possibilities of implementing joint programs within the framework of Armenia–European Union cooperation.

They further discussed the organization of mutual visits and the participation of the Armenian side in upcoming events and professional platforms in Latvia, with a view to developing joint programs involving European companies.

At the end of the meeting, both sides emphasized the existing potential for mutually beneficial cooperation and agreed on further steps.

The 15th Annual Advisory Forum on the Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA) on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, as well as the informal meeting of its Governing Board, will take place in Armenia in September 2026.

The Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, established in 2010, seeks to reinforce the potential of Cultural Routes for cultural cooperation, sustainable territorial development, and social cohesion, with a particular focus on themes of symbolic importance for European unity, history, culture, and values, as well as the discovery of less well-known destinations.

The EPA helps strengthen the democratic dimension of cultural exchange and tourism through the involvement of grassroots networks and associations, local and regional authorities, universities, and professional organizations. It contributes to the preservation of diverse heritage through thematic and alternative tourism itineraries and cultural projects.

A major event is the Annual Advisory Forum, which brings together representatives of Cultural Routes, national bodies, networks, and international heritage and tourism organizations. The Cultural Routes Annual Advisory Forum is organized in close collaboration with one of the member states of the EPA.

The memorandum of cooperation on Armenia hosting the event was signed by Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Alfred Kocharyan and Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe EPA Governing Board Executive Secretary Rui Gomes during the board meeting in Luxembourg, the ministry said.

Participants will discuss a range of challenges related to the preservation of cultural heritage, the development of sustainable tourism, and the promotion of community engagement.

According to the ministry, the forum will contribute to presenting Armenia’s cultural potential to the international community, highlighting the country’s role as an important regional hub within the framework of the Cultural Routes.

A new transit rail shipment from Russia to Armenia has been carried out via Azerbaijani territory.

Azerbaijan’s APA news agency reported that the cargo consists of wheat and aluminum.

APA said the shipment marked the first time aluminum has been transported to Armenia via Azerbaijani territory.

The shipment includes 700 tons of wheat and 133 tons of aluminum.

To date, a total of 26,000 tons of wheat, more than 3,800 tons of fertilizer, and 68 tons of buckwheat have been sent from Russia to Armenia via Azerbaijani territory.

In addition to transit shipments, Azerbaijan continues to export petroleum products to Armenia. So far, more than 8,500 tons of diesel fuel, 979 tons of AI-92 gasoline, and 2,955 tons of AI-95 gasoline have been exported from Azerbaijan to Armenia.

The cargo passes through Georgian territory, as the direct rail connection between Armenia and Azerbaijan has not yet been restored.

President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, during his official trip to Armenia, visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial in Yerevan on Thursday.

The Latvian President placed a wreath at the memorial and laid flowers at the Eternal Flame, honoring the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan, as well as the acting director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, Hrachya Tashchyan, accompanied President Rinkēvičs.

In 2021, the Latvian parliament officially recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide.

During his official visit to Armenia, President Rinkēvičs will meet with his counterpart Vahagn Khachaturyan, as well as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan. A meeting with representatives of youth organizations is also planned.

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has met with International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane, who visited Armenia to participate in the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 forum.

According to the Foreign Ministry’s readout, views were exchanged on cooperation between Armenia and the International Criminal Court, as well as issues related to engagement in international efforts aimed at upholding international legal norms and ensuring the rule of law.

Tourism in Armenia grew significantly in April and during the January–April period of 2026 compared to the same periods last year, with notable increases alongside a diversification of tourist origins, according to data presented at a government meeting.

Speaking at the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that in April 2026, the number of tourists visiting Armenia increased by 39 percent compared to the same period last year, while a 34 percent rise was recorded for the January–April period.

Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said that some diversification is being observed among tourists visiting Armenia.

“If in 2023, in the January–April period, visitors from the Russian Federation accounted for 52 percent of our total tourists, now they make up 36 percent. If in 2024 it was 42 percent, now it is 36 percent. That is, the share of a single country has decreased from more than 50 percent to around one-third,” Papoyan said.

Pashinyan emphasized that despite the decrease in share, it is important to note that the number of tourists from Russia has also increased.

According to Papoyan, the number of tourists from Russia this year reached 245,178, compared to 183,700 last year.

“In addition to those coming from Russia, the number of tourists has also increased from India, Italy, France, the United States, China, Germany, Ukraine, Iran, and Georgia. That is, the geography is quite broad,” the Economy Minister added.

According to him, while a few years ago the share of tourists visiting Armenia from Italy was 0.4 percent of the total number of tourists, it now exceeds 1 percent.

Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan has been awarded the rank of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour by decree of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Legion of Honour is the highest and most prestigious French national order of merit, both military and civil. It consists of five classes and was originally established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. The Grand Officier (Grand Officer) class is the second highest, after the Grand Cross.

Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan were awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour by Macron during his state visit earlier this week. Macron, in turn, was awarded Armenia’s Order of Glory for his significant contribution to strengthening bilateral relations.