The current flow of people at the Agarak checkpoint on the Iran-Armenia border is natural, it is due to the cancellation of flights from Iran. This was told to Armenian News-NEWS.am Friday by the Iranian consul general to Armenia, Morteza Abedin Varamin, who added that he visits this checkpoint on a regular basis to get acquainted with the situation on the spot and find quick solutions in case of possible problems.

“There are 20 flights [from Iran] to [Armenia’s capital] Yerevan and back per week. Naturally, in the absence of these flights, people have to cross through this [land] border. I want to emphasize that people coming to Armenia [from Iran] do not have refugee status. They are coming to Armenia because flights from Iran have been canceled, and they had a flight to another country,” Varamin added.

The Iranian consul general to Armenia noted that among those who came from Iran, there were no people who applied to the consulate with the expectation of any assistance.

“Those entering Armenia [from Iran] are mainly those who go to Yerevan and the airport to catch their flights. With the support of the Syunik provincial hall [of Armenian], we have only organized buses and cars to take them from the checkpoint to Yerevan at a reasonable fare,” he said, and emphasized once again that for the majority of those who came from Iran, Armenia is a transit country on their way to another country.

Varamin noted that the buses will take everyone arriving from Iran to Yerevan and its international airport at a low fare.

To the reporter’s question about whether they were working together with the Armenian authorities so that they can assist, if necessary, those who came to Armenia as refugees, Varamin replied: “Yesterday I had a meeting with representatives of the International Red Cross organization. They also asked a similar question. I said that up to this moment no one from Iran has come to Armenia as a refugee.

I express [my] readiness to personally accompany the members of the media to Tabriz [city of Iran] in order to show that people in the city closest to the [Armenian] border are living their daily lives. Naturally, if necessary, I am sure that the government and people of Armenia will support us, as we have supported them.”

And to the reporter’s remark that due to the escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict, there are concerns in Armenia that Azerbaijan, taking advantage of the opportunity, will attempt to obtain the “Zangezur corridor”—via Armenia—by force, the Iranian consul general to Armenia responded: “I have repeatedly said that I am confident that nothing will happen. The Islamic Republic of Iran has clearly stated its position, its ‘red line’ regarding the borders. The current events will have no impact on their words and decisions.”

On June 13, Israel attacked Iran, and this was followed by retaliatory measures by Iran. Military actions between the two countries are continuing to this day.