Iranian Families Flee Conflict as Tensions Escalate with Israel

Wed Oct 22 2025 04:46:00 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As the conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies, many Iranians are seeking refuge in Armenia, highlighting the urgent need for safety and security amidst fear.

The Agarak border crossing has become a refuge for countless Iranians fleeing the escalating violence between Iran and Israel. With many travelers recounting terrifying experiences of airstrikes, the desperate scramble for safety showcases the impact of geopolitical tensions on civilian lives.

At the Agarak border crossing between Armenia and Iran, a dusty landscape unfolds, where mountains loom and the air thickens with tension. Families scurry to escape the ongoing hostilities ignited by the Israel-Iran conflict. Among them, a woman cradling her baby watches her husband haggle with taxi drivers, while another family, bound for Austria, catches fleeting moments of respite in the chaos.

Most of the pedestrians crossing into Armenia possess residency or citizenship in foreign lands, compelled to leave their homeland as the conflict escalates. The turmoil began on June 13, resulting in Israel targeting key military and nuclear sites in Iran. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), over 650 individuals have lost their lives due to these strikes, which have provoked retaliatory missile attacks from Iran.

With traffic surging out of Tehran, many citizens are fleeing the city, fearful of another night of strikes and explosions. One father from Tabriz recounted witnessing a bombed area; he lamented the pervasive fear gripping the nation: "Every place is dangerous. It's not normal." Similarly, a young Afghan man, who recently arrived in Armenia, spoke of his harrowing escape: "Every night is like attacking; people cannot sleep."

For some, the trip was initially meant as a summer vacation, but has shifted to an urgent return home amid fears for safety. "Someone comes and attacks your country; would you feel normal?" inquired a young woman returning to Australia, her voice thick with emotion as she boarded a car for Yerevan.

However, not every story at the border reflects fear; some Iranians have opted to return home despite the risks. Ali Ansaye, vacationing in Armenia, showed unwavering resolve: "If I am supposed to die, I will die in my country," he declared, expressing frustration over Israel's military prowess amid accusations of nuclear possession.

As situations in the Middle East continue to evolve, countless families are caught in the crossfire, compelled to make heart-wrenching choices in search of safety and stability. The experiences of these individuals illustrate the profound human impact of international conflict, underscoring the urgency of protecting civilian lives amid escalating tensions.