Iran conflict puts Armenia on alert amid regional instability

The United States and Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran on Saturday, with the stated goal, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of eliminating an “existential threat.” U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the objective was the destruction of Iran’s missile capabilities and to ensure that Tehran “never obtains nuclear weapons.”

As a neighbor of Iran, Armenia may feel many of the effects of the war. On Saturday, the country’s Foreign Ministry said it is closely monitoring developments and urged Armenian citizens in Iran and Israel to follow safety instructions and official guidance. Embassies and consular services in both countries remain operational.

The ministry also confirmed that, as of now, there is no information about Armenian citizens among the casualties. 

Armenia’s government is working to assist its citizens in affected countries such as the United Arab Emirates, where airspace closures have stranded travelers. The Foreign Ministry said 92 Armenian students studying in the UAE are in contact with the Armenian embassy. Authorities are exploring options to transport Armenian citizens back home via Oman if flights resume, prioritizing women, children and the elderly.

Meanwhile, Armenia’s National Security Council convened an urgent meeting with representatives of relevant government agencies. According to the Security Council’s office, a working group has been established to manage potential impacts on Armenia stemming from the crisis in the Middle East. 

Iran is one of Armenia’s key economic and energy partners. Any prolonged instability could disrupt trade routes, energy supplies and regional transportation corridors. There are also security considerations, as Armenia’s southern border with Iran is strategically vital. Any spillover of military activity, refugee flows or regional escalation would place additional strain on the country. 

The latest strikes mark a renewed escalation following the June 2025 “Twelve Day War” between Israel and Iran, during which the United States targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. Iranian state media confirmed that strikes over the weekend killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Also killed, according to Iran’s IRNA news agency, were senior military figures including Armed Forces Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, Revolutionary Guard commander Mohammad Pakpour, and senior official Ali Shamkhani. 

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian called revenge for the attacks a “duty and legal right.” The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced what it described as the fiercest offensive operation in its history against Israel and U.S. bases throughout the Middle East. Tehran has reportedly established a temporary three-member leadership council while clerics select a new supreme leader.

Airspace was closed in several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait, with the South Caucasus serving as an air corridor for rerouted flights. Iran closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Indian Ocean, resulting in major energy companies suspending oil shipments, sending oil prices surging. 

The Pentagon confirmed that three American service members were killed and at least five seriously wounded during an Iranian missile strike on a US base in Kuwait. U.S. Central Command says more than 1,000 targets have been struck so far in an operation named “Epic Fury.”