I am seeing lots of misinformation and panic about the inflow of Iranians to Armenia.
As someone who is on the ground here, let me clarify some points:
- Almost all of the Iranians are here either to get vaccinated against Covid-19, or have visa appointments at the U.S. Embassy.
As someone who is on the ground here, let me clarify some points:
- Almost all of the Iranians are here either to get vaccinated against Covid-19, or have visa appointments at the U.S. Embassy.
After the closure of border for almost a year, the number of Iranians waiting to emigrate, visit, study in the U.S. rose. As soon as the borders opened, all of them rushed to Armenia, which is next door, to visit the U.S. Embassy to sort their paperwork.
These people are not here to invade Armenia, or anything of that sort. They would leave as soon as they get their papers. Their end goal is to end up in the U.S.
As for those who are here to get vaccinated, the waiting time in Iran is pretty long, sometimes months, even though they do produce their own vaccine. With the "Delta Variant" of Covid-19, they rushed to next door Armenia to get vaccinated.
Info: A common question that is asked: are they Azeri Iranians or Persians?
- Those who fly from Tehran and other cities are most likely Persians, those coming through Meghri border checkpoint are probably the inhabitants of the northern provinces which does have Azeri Iranians.
- Those who fly from Tehran and other cities are most likely Persians, those coming through Meghri border checkpoint are probably the inhabitants of the northern provinces which does have Azeri Iranians.
Another common question: are there Azeri spies among them?
- Nobody could know. It's up to the NSS and the state security apparatus to identify and neutralize them. But I'll tell you that there are definitely spies in all nationalities, and it's not limited to them.
- Nobody could know. It's up to the NSS and the state security apparatus to identify and neutralize them. But I'll tell you that there are definitely spies in all nationalities, and it's not limited to them.
Is vaccination free for the Iranians?
- It's free for everyone. Personally, I would have wanted the government to impose a symbolic fee and differ the proceeds to the nurses and doctors who work all day in 40 degrees weather.
- It's free for everyone. Personally, I would have wanted the government to impose a symbolic fee and differ the proceeds to the nurses and doctors who work all day in 40 degrees weather.
Foreigners are vaccinated by AstraZeneca, which Armenia purchases at a price of $4.5 per dose.
Were there any security incidents?
- Not that I am informed of, however we do not know what the future brings. I do reiterate that Armenia has a police force so there is nothing to worry about here.
- Not that I am informed of, however we do not know what the future brings. I do reiterate that Armenia has a police force so there is nothing to worry about here.
According to the Tourism Committee of Armenia, 4953 Iranian citizens arrived to Armenia in March of this year, and 8597 in June. That is almost twice as many.
That's all for now. I hope I answered some of your questions.
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