The U.S. Congress has required Azerbaijan to preserve the cultural heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh and to recognize the right of ethnic Armenians to return to their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh. The H.R. 6840 bill, introduced to the 119th U.S. Congress (2025–2026) on 18 December 2025, sets out clear requirements for Azerbaijan. In Section 2 of the document, titled “Review of Security Assistance to Armenia,” the U.S. legislative body conditions relations with Azerbaijan through five key points, requiring it to recognize the right of ethnic Armenians to return to Nagorno-Karabakh and to guarantee the preservation of Armenian cultural and religious heritage: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6840/text. It is important to note that the document requires Azerbaijan to:

1. Recognize the right of ethnic Armenians to return to their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh and commit to preserving Armenian cultural and religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh.
2. Uphold its obligations under the Joint Declaration.
3. Fully withdraw all military forces from the sovereign territory of Armenia.
4. Unconditionally release all Armenian prisoners of war.
5. Cease hostile actions against Armenia.

It is important to note that, in order to ensure the implementation of the above five points, the U.S. Secretary of Defense is required, 180 days after the enactment of the law, and annually thereafter, in coordination with other agencies, to certify to the congressional defense committees that the Government of Azerbaijan has taken substantial steps in these directions. If the Secretary of Defense is unable to certify the information required under the five points, then no later than 14 days after the deadline for such certification, the Secretary must conduct an immediate review of United States security assistance provided to the Republic of Armenia, in order to assess gaps in Armenia’s deterrence and self-defense capabilities.

It should be emphasized that the United States has consistently sought to support the preservation of Armenian cultural heritage. In this regard, mention should also be made of the official letter sent on 23 July 2025 by 87 members of the U.S. Congress to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, addressing Azerbaijan’s policy of destroying the region’s historic churches and monasteries. For more details, see: https://monumentwatch.org/en/2025/07/25/87-members-of-the-u-s-congress-send-official-letter-to-secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-calling-for-the-protection-of-nagorno-karabakhs-cultural-heritage/

In addition, it is important to note that this is not the only initiative of the U.S. Congress. Another bill provides for funding for the Library of Congress over the next five years to support the teaching of the history of the Armenian Genocide in American schools and the training of teachers. The purpose of the document is to raise awareness, through educational programs, of the crimes committed by the Ottoman Empire in 1915–1923, thereby preventing their denial and the distortion of facts: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2585/text.