Iran Sanctions Watch: Reuters flags Armenia as a growing Iran trading partner as Trump threatens tougher U.S. economic pressure; Armenia’s trade with Iran hit about $768m in 2025 and $371.4m in H1 2026, with a gas-for-electricity deal running to 2030. Foreign Policy Reset: PM Nikol Pashinyan says Armenia will rename its foreign affairs ministry to better reflect international economic work, while also pushing a “balanced” foreign policy tied to peace and EU alignment. 5-Year Economic Blueprint: The government approved its 2026–2031 programme aiming for ~6% average growth, 125,000 jobs, and export expansion, alongside reforms and energy/transport priorities. EU Trade Momentum: Armenia’s exports to EU countries rose over 80% in H1 2026 to $516m, as trade with Russia fell amid restrictions. ICT Surge: Armenia’s ICT revenues grew 12.1% y/y in H1 2026 to AMD 622.4bn, led by services. Parliament & Governance: Armenia elected nine of 12 standing committee chairs; Strong Armenia lost key posts. Railway to Turkey: Armenia opened a tender to design a 21-km Gyumri–Turkish border rail section, signaling a push to reduce reliance on Russian Railways. Cyber Risk: Google reports suspected Russian hackers abusing OAuth and WhatsApp linking to hijack accounts. Energy & Peace Links: Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” and TRIPP negotiations continue as the state seeks regional connectivity.