Armenia has become a transit country for those arriving across the border with Iran.

Caucasian Knot

There is no influx of Iranian refugees into Armenia. Iranians holding citizenship in other countries are crossing the border to fly to their destinations from Yerevan. Citizens of 46 countries have passed through the Agarak checkpoint since the escalation of the situation in the Middle East.

As reported by “Caucasian Knot,” a collection of humanitarian aid for arriving Iranians has begun in Yerevan. An ambassador for one of the foundations stated that up to a million people could arrive in Armenia. Commentators on social media believe that the influx of refugees from Iran into Armenia will negatively impact the country’s economy and social sphere. Other users stated that it is necessary to help people in need. There are also concerns that the refugees will seriously impact relations between countries in the region.

164 Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant employees were evacuated from Iran through Armenia on March 27 and flown to Moscow. Since the escalation of the situation in the Middle East, 327 Russian citizens have been repatriated through Armenia.

The Iranian Embassy in Yerevan told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent that there is no flow of refugees from Iran to Armenia, the border checkpoint is operating as usual, and there are no crowds on the Armenian-Iranian border.

They also noted that “people with dual citizenship are arriving in Armenia from Iran to then depart for their country via Zvartnots Airport, since flights to Iran have been canceled.”

According to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia, “The border checkpoint in Agarak, on the border with Iran, is being completely reconstructed, and work is also underway from scratch on the project for a second customs checkpoint on the Armenian-Iranian border together with Iranian partners.”

Starting from February 28, citizens of 46 countries have been evacuated from Iran through the territory of Armenia, reported the press secretary of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Ani Badalyan, noting that they are entering to go to their countries.

“The transportation of foreign citizens from Iran through Armenia continues, if necessary, the Republic of Armenia provides them with support in obtaining entry visas,” she told a “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

The press secretary of the department added that “on March 28, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan held a telephone A conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, in which “the ministers touched upon humanitarian issues and the situation in the Middle East.”

No applications for refugee status have been received from Iranian citizens, a “Caucasian Knot” correspondent was informed by the Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia.

Journalist and blogger Marut Vanyan reported that “he was on a business trip to the south of Armenia and did not observe a flow of refugees.”

“I spent two days in Meghri, visiting the Nurduz-Agarak checkpoint several times for several hours at different times. There were no refugees, as we know. Sometimes people with luggage would pass through the checkpoint, but it turned out that they were considering Armenia as a transit to another country,” he told a “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

A man who arrived from Iran on condition of anonymity told a “Caucasian Knot” correspondent that he arrived in Armenia several days ago and was heading to Germany. He is Iranian, but also has German citizenship, where he lives with his family.

“At first, I thought the war would end quickly, but when I realized it would be a long time, I decided to return to my family,” he said.

According to him, “there is a lot of bombing, Tehran is almost deserted, but hospitals and some stores are open, there is no internet.” “Foreign citizens and those who have additional citizenship of another country are leaving Iran. Iranian citizens are mostly not leaving. Perhaps “due to financial difficulties or patriotism. But there is movement within the country – mostly people go to places where there is no bombing,” he noted.

As a reminder, on February 28, Israel and the United States began striking Iran. Donald Trump announced the start of a large-scale military operation. In response, Iran began shelling Israel, American military facilities, and civilian targets in the Middle East, according to the “Caucasian Knot” report “Key points about the impact of the military conflict with Iran on the Caucasus”.

The “Caucasian Knot” has collected materials about the impact of military operations in Iran on the Caucasus on the thematic page “Iran: War is Near”. The “Caucasian Knot” also published a chronicle of the war in Iran.