Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned Thursday that Armenia could face “imminent” renewed war within months if opposition forces come to power, described Azerbaijan’s “Western Azerbaijan” narrative as a dangerous territorial threat, and argued that the 1990 Declaration of Independence, including its reference to Artsakh, functions as a “declaration of conflict and dependence,” during a press briefing in Yerevan following the weekly cabinet session.
Speaking at a press briefing in Yerevan following a weekly cabinet session, Pashinyan said calls to revise the current peace approach with Azerbaijan risk triggering another escalation, while also addressing Baku’s territorial rhetoric, constitutional reforms, and regional dynamics.
Warning of “Imminent War” if Opposition Wins
In one of the most striking parts of the briefing, Pashinyan warned that Armenia could face imminent war if opposition forces come to power following the elections.
He accused political opponents of advocating a revision of the current peace approach with Azerbaijan, a move he said would inevitably lead to renewed conflict.
“I want to say this very directly… it will be a war with the loss of not only territory but also sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia,” he said.
“All these forces are advocating a revision of peace, which means inevitable war very soon after the elections, in autumn at the latest…. They are preparing a new September war with grave consequences.”
He added that some opposition figures “probably don’t even understand what they are saying,” suggesting their positions may be influenced by external actors.
Pashinyan drew parallels with previous September escalations, including the 2020 war, the 2022 clashes along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, and Azerbaijan’s 2023 military takeover of Artsakh.
Referring to developments in 2023, Pashinyan argued that political changes in Artsakh, welcomed by opposition figures in Armenia, were followed by a rapid collapse.
“Everything ended for Karabakh within days. Now the same forces want to do the same with the Republic of Armenia… There is no difference whatsoever in their intentions,” he said.
Pashinyan stated that his ruling Civil Contract party will seek a constitutional majority in the elections in order to make “regional peace irreversible.”
“Western Azerbaijan” Narrative a “Dangerous Process”
Pashinyan addressed repeated statements by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev emphasizing the so-called rights of “Western Azerbaijanis,” a narrative Yerevan views as part of a broader territorial claim against Armenia.
He described references to Armenia’s sovereign territory as “Western Azerbaijan” as a dangerous and developing process.
“I consider this a very dangerous process, and we must manage it… adopting state-centered and legally grounded policies that are as invulnerable as possible,” he said.
At the same time, Pashinyan pointed to what he described as the “mirror logic” of territorial narratives.
“When we say that Ararat, Dadivank, or Artsakh are ours, what should prevent them from saying the same in return?” he asked.
Pashinyan argued that both Armenia and Azerbaijan must operate within a structured framework where such claims are managed in parallel.
He also recalled the August 8, 2025 declaration signed with Aliyev in Washington, which included plans for a transit route through Armenia’s Syunik region (“TRIPP”) to connect Azerbaijan with Nakhichevan.
Pashinyan: Artsakh Was Recognized as Part of Azerbaijan
In another statement, Pashinyan said that Artsakh has always been part of Azerbaijan and that Armenia itself formally recognized it as such, a fact he claimed had been concealed from the public.
He cited government documents from the 2000s and criticized former leaders, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Robert Kocharyan, and Serzh Sargsyan, for maintaining this narrative.
Azerbaijan has repeatedly argued that Armenia’s constitutional reference to the 1990 Declaration of Independence constitutes a territorial claim to Artsakh, which was predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians until Baku’s 2023 military takeover triggered a mass exodus. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has stated that Baku will not sign the peace treaty with Armenia, initialed last August, unless the reference is removed.
Asked about the possible removal of the reference to the Declaration of Independence from the draft constitution currently under development, Pashinyan said:
“The issue of the Declaration of Independence and the issue of our Constitution is our internal matter, because it is necessary for us, not for others, to position ourselves correctly in the world. The Declaration of Independence is not a declaration of independence; it is a declaration of conflict, and as a result, a declaration of dependence.”
Pashinyan maintains that excluding it is essential for long-term independence, while opposition groups say the move would be a unilateral concession.
At the same time, he confirmed that the draft constitution will retain a reference to the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Armenia Signals Readiness to Support Iran
Pashinyan said Armenia is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to neighboring Iran if necessary, amid ongoing regional instability linked to Iran’s confrontation with the United States and Israel and broader tensions in the Middle East.
Responding to a question about whether Tehran had formally requested aid, Pashinyan said Armenia would act proactively if a humanitarian need arises.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran does not need to appeal to us regarding humanitarian aid, if we see any humanitarian need that we can support, we will take that step ourselves,” he said.
His remarks follow a statement issued days earlier by the Iranian Embassy in Armenia, which reported a need for medicines and medical supplies, signaling emerging humanitarian requirements amid the ongoing escalation.
