Armenian MP warns of existential risks, urges U.S. pressure on Azerbaijan over prisoners

Armenian opposition lawmaker Artur Khachatryan warned on Monday that Armenia could face existential risks if it is forced to choose sides amid regional and global tensions, and said the government should seek U.S. pressure on Azerbaijan to release Armenian prisoners held in Baku.

Speaking to reporters in the parliament, Khachatryan of the opposition Hayastan alliance said authorities should ask U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to press Azerbaijan to free Armenian detainees, including former Artsakh political and military leaders. He said he doubted the government would do so and that the opposition would pursue the issue instead.

Khachatryan said talks with Washington should also cover Armenia’s economic unblocking, arguing that the TRIPP initiative does not amount to genuine unblocking. He stressed that Armenia has historically pursued a balanced, complementary foreign policy, including maintaining ties with Iran even during periods of heightened U.S.-Iran tensions.

He criticised the government over the lack of progress in addressing U.S. tariffs linked to Armenia’s trade with Iran, warning that closing the border with Iran or joining sanctions against Tehran would cause severe damage to Armenia.

“If Armenia shuts its border with Iran or joins sanctions against it, the country will face very serious problems at an existential level,” Khachatryan said, adding that Yerevan must prevent being forced into a “either-or” choice.

He also recalled comments made by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in 2021 about deploying different peacekeeping forces in different areas, warning that turning Armenia into an arena for great-power rivalry could lead to grave consequences.