Armenia's Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Zhanna Andreasyan, chaired another meeting of the interagency commission responsible for organising the Tour of Armenia international professional cycling race, scheduled for September 10–13. Participants focused on key organisational issues. Andreasyan thanked members of the commission, noting that staging an international event of this scale has been made possible through coordinated cooperation among the participating institutions. The meeting reviewed the competition timetable, logistical arrangements and the final design of the race routes. The proposed course includes road sections passing through Yerevan and the Gegharkunik, Tavush and Lori regions. The minister stressed that the race should also serve as a platform to showcase Armenia's landscapes, historical and cultural heritage, and the tourism potential of communities across the country. Participants noted that Tour of Armenia offers an opportunity not only to strengthen the country's presence on the international cycling calendar but also to promote Armenia as a tourist destination to a global audience. The multi-stage competition is expected to feature 18 teams, each consisting of six riders. More than 300 delegates, including cyclists, team officials, race judges and other representatives, are expected to travel to Armenia. Representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, the Sports Management Centre, the consulting company RCS, which is assisting with the organisation of the race, and other government agencies also attended the meeting.

Armenia's National Security Service (NSS) has confirmed that it provided pro-government media outlets with video footage showing former President Robert Kocharyan at the passport control checkpoint of Zvartnots International Airport. In response to an inquiry, the agency stated that it is authorised to disclose information under its control whenever it considers it appropriate. Factor.am reported the reply. The inquiry sought clarification on how footage recorded at the passport checkpoint of Zvartnots Airport, which is overseen by the NSS, became public after attracting widespread attention. On June 14, one week after the elections, several pro-government media outlets published 12-second videos under headlines claiming Kocharyan had been trying to flee or leave Armenia. The footage shows the former president holding his passport while standing at the checkpoint located within an area controlled by NSS border guards, where filming by other individuals is prohibited. The NSS did not explain the procedure through which the recording was released or identify the official who authorised its publication. The agency's response closely mirrored comments made by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a June 18 news conference. “What should an internal investigation be launched over? An NSS employee can decide whether to leak something or not. What's the problem?” Pashinyan said.

Armenia's outgoing eighth-convocation National Assembly has approved a package of legislative amendments backed by the ruling Civil Contract faction. One of the adopted bills amends the Electoral Code and the law on referendums, granting voting rights to Armenian citizens who have been physically present in the country for at least 366 days during the preceding 730-day period. For snap parliamentary elections, the calculation will be based on the 28th day before the vote instead of the 48th. Parliament also approved amendments to its rules of procedure, introducing a new oath for incoming lawmakers. Under the revised wording, the phrase referring to “national goals and strengthening the homeland” has been replaced with “strengthening the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia.” The oath will conclude with the words: “Glory to the fallen heroes, and long live the Republic of Armenia,” Sputnik Armenia reports. Another approved measure requires state flags to be installed at the entrances to all populated areas in Armenia. The bill was introduced by Civil Contract lawmaker Alkhas Ghazaryan and Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan. Lawmakers also adopted amendments increasing excise taxes on tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, diesel fuel and gasoline. The package was approved in its second reading with 63 votes in favor. Under the changes previously endorsed by the government, excise duties on tobacco products will rise by 7% annually, while rates for heated tobacco, electronic cigarettes and hookah products will increase according to separate multi-year schedules. At the same time, the excise tax on fruit spirits will be reduced by 33% to support domestic producers and offset higher production costs. Parliament also approved amendments to the Criminal Code imposing tougher penalties for offering or accepting election bribes. The prison term for accepting an election bribe has been increased from one to three years to two to five years, while the penalty for offering a bribe has risen from three to six years to four to eight years. Violations of the ban on charitable activities during election campaigns will now also carry prison terms of four to eight years, instead of the previous three to six years. In addition, individuals convicted of mediating election bribes will face a lifetime ban on holding state or municipal office. Lawmakers also passed legislation introducing reverse mortgages, allowing pensioners to receive income by using their homes as collateral while continuing to live in them. The law will take effect on January 1, 2027.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has arrived in Tehran to attend the official farewell ceremony for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s plane has landed in Tehran. He announced this on his Facebook page. “I have arrived in Tehran to attend the official farewell ceremony for the late Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Khamenei,” Pashinyan wrote. At Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport, Pashinyan was received by Iranian Vice President Seyed Hamid Pourmohammadi. On July 2, Armenia’s prime minister told reporters that he would travel to Iran on July 3 and return the same day. He said meetings with Iran’s leadership were planned during the visit. On the morning of July 3, Ali Khamenei’s body was transferred to Tehran, where Iranians began paying their final respects to the ayatollah, Sputnik Armenia reports. Farewell ceremonies are planned in several cities across the Islamic Republic and will continue until July 9. Representatives of about 100 countries are expected to attend the mourning events. In Tehran, the ceremonies will take place on July 4-6, followed by Qom on July 7. On July 8, Khamenei’s body is expected to be taken to Iraq so that Shiite Muslims can pay their final tribute. On July 9, the ayatollah will be buried in his hometown of Mashhad. Khamenei was killed on the first day of U.S.-Israeli strikes, on February 28. The news was officially confirmed on March 1. After his death, his son Mojtaba became Iran’s new supreme leader. Due to injuries and security considerations, he has not appeared in public so far but has delivered several addresses to the Iranian people.