The Agarak border crossing between Armenia and Iran has become a hub of anxiety and displacement as Iranians rush to escape the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. The dry, rocky terrain offers little comfort to those arriving after long, arduous journeys. Among them are families, young professionals, and expatriates returning to their countries of residence, all united by fear of the ongoing violence.
Since Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites began on June 13, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports at least 657 deaths in Iran. Israel, which claims air superiority over Tehran, has urged civilians to leave certain districts, prompting heavy traffic jams as residents seek safety. Many who fled to Armenia described harrowing journeys, with some driving over 12 hours from Tehran.
“Everyone is scared; every place is dangerous,” said a father from Tabriz, holding his child near a hired minivan. Others spoke of sleepless nights filled with the sounds of explosions. A young Afghan refugee, carrying only a single suitcase, called the situation in Tehran “very bad,” adding, “People who have somewhere to go are leaving.”
While some express defiance—like Javad, an Iran-Germany dual citizen who dismissed Israel’s chances of regime change—others are deeply traumatized. A woman returning to Australia, visibly shaken, refused to discuss what she had witnessed, asking, “If someone attacks your country, would you feel normal?”
Yet not all are fleeing. Ali Ansaye, returning to Tehran from a family holiday in Armenia, declared, “If I am supposed to die, I will die in my country.” He condemned Israel’s nuclear arsenal and military actions, echoing Tehran’s rhetoric.
As tensions persist, the exodus underscores the human cost of the conflict. For those crossing into Armenia, the priority is safety but with no clear end in sight, their futures remain uncertain. The world watches as the region edges closer to further escalation, leaving ordinary civilians caught in the crossfire.
