Amid escalating military tensions between Iran and Israel, hundreds of Iranians and foreign nationals have entered Armenia in recent days through the Meghri and Agarak checkpoints in the southern Syunik Province, seeking safety and stability. Reports from the border indicate a steady influx of people, both by car and on foot, many of whom are grappling with soaring transportation costs and fuel shortages.
According to Ashot Aramyan, head of a local tourism organization in Meghri, the town has seen a sharp increase in foreign visitors in recent days, primarily due to the escalating conflict. Most of the travelers are citizens of China, India, Germany, Russia, and Iran, many of whom are exiting Iran by land because of restrictions on air travel. Among them are employees of embassies and international companies operating in Iran.
“Despite the large flow, most visitors stay just one night, which allows for a steady rotation and makes it possible to accommodate everyone,” Aramyan told Public Radio of Armenia. He added that the customs checkpoint in Meghri is functioning smoothly, with no significant delays thanks to efficient coordination by the staff.
On June 18, CivilNet correspondent Hasmik Hovhannisyan, reporting from Meghri, described the scene as chaotic and emotionally charged. Iranians arriving at the border are being asked to pay up to $300 per person for taxi rides to Yerevan—more than ten times the usual fare of approximately 10,000 drams ($25). “It’s very expensive to get from Tehran to Yerevan,” one traveler told CivilNet. “There’s a shortage of gasoline, and many of us had to overcome great difficulty just to reach the border.”
Similar reports from the Agarak checkpoint suggest that pressure on border crossings is increasing by the day. Iranians, along with citizens of other countries and ethnic Armenians, are struggling to secure transportation from the border to other parts of Armenia. Taxi drivers are demanding between $300 and $350 for a ride to the capital, a sum well beyond what most arriving families can afford.
Among the arrivals are ethnic Armenian families fleeing the conflict zone. One mother, who spoke to Azatutyun, said she came with her children after Israeli airstrikes intensified near their home. “Tehran and other cities are emptying out. People are afraid, and they’re moving wherever they can find safety,” she said. “We had great difficulty even reaching the checkpoint. There’s no fuel, and finding money is impossible.”
The humanitarian situation is being closely monitored.
UN World Food Program personnel were seen at the Agarak crossing on June 17, though Azatutyun noted a lack of visible Armenian government representatives on site. Meanwhile, long lines of Iranian-registered trucks have built up on the Armenian side of the border, indicating a potential bottleneck in the flow of goods and people.
The Armenian government, while not declaring a state of emergency, is preparing for possible consequences of the regional conflict. Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan addressed the matter during a parliamentary Q&A session on June 18, confirming that contingency plans are being developed.
“All potential issues are under daily monitoring,” Grigoryan said. “Yes, we are considering refugee flows, logistical disruptions, and energy issues. These scenarios might become necessary at any moment, or not at all, but they must be ready.”
He emphasized the need for a coordinated and proactive response, noting preparations for temporary housing, population displacement, and social support mechanisms.
“These questions are being addressed by a consolidated inter-agency task force,” he said, declining to reveal further details due to the sensitive nature of the planning.
