There have been no casualties reported in Iran’s Armenian community, with only material losses recorded so far, according to a statement by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, published by Cilicia TV, in which he stressed that “the safety of Middle Eastern communities is a top priority for all of us.” Separately, in comments reported by Factor.am, Movses Keshishian, editor-in-chief of the Tehran-based weekly Arax, said preliminary information indicates the Tehran Armenian community has not suffered damage up to this moment, amid major escalation and strikes in Iran.
According to the statement, late Tuesday night on March 3, 2026, the Catholicos held a telephone conversation with Hovsep Avetian, a Tehran resident and member of the Political Council of the National Central Board, who provided updates on the situation in Iran and the Armenian community. Based on the information provided, the Armenian community has suffered no human losses, with only minor material damage reported. Avetian said diocesan and community officials are monitoring the situation, while youth groups are touring Armenian neighborhoods and are ready to assist families if necessary.
Aram I was also in contact with Archbishop Mesrob Sarkissian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of the UAE and Qatar and surrounding areas, who reported that there have been no casualties or material damage among Armenians in those regions. In addition, diocesan and community officials in Kuwait said the Armenian community there has not suffered any losses.
The statement noted that an atmosphere of insecurity, uncertainty, and concern prevails across the region. Armenian educational institutions have remained closed, with classes being conducted online. Aram I urged responsible leaders across the region to keep Armenian communities as far as possible from dangerous conditions and to closely address community needs and concerns.
Aram I also held a telephone conversation with Vartkes Mahdessian, the Armenian community’s state representative in Cyprus, and was briefed on details of the recent attack on a British military base on the island.
Also on the night of March 3, under Aram I’s chairmanship, the Political Council of the National Central Board convened a special online session to broadly discuss the situation in the Middle East and explore ways to support Armenian communities. The session specifically addressed the situation in Lebanon, including southern Beirut and the Bekaa region, and the consequences of Israeli attacks in those areas. The Catholicosate emphasized that Aram I will continue to closely follow developments affecting Armenian communities in various regions and that Cilicia TV will keep the public informed as needed.
In the comments reported by Factor.am, Keshishian said, “The Armenian community in Iran has not suffered damage up to this moment,” adding that international internet access is cut off in Iran and that he could not provide further details at the time. He noted that the internet restrictions have significantly complicated communication and the transfer of information with people inside Iran.
The escalation follows the start of strikes on Tehran and other regions of Iran on the morning of February 28, launched by Israel and the United States. On the first day of the attacks, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other high-ranking officials were killed. In response, Iran launched strikes on Israeli territory and U.S. military bases in the Middle East, and a state of emergency was declared in Israel.
