Armenian Lawmaker in Iran Speaks as Tehran Empties After Massive US-Israel Strikes: Armenian Community Safe

The Armenian Report conducted an interview with Geghard Mansourian, the Armenian member of Iran’s parliament, following large-scale strikes carried out by the United States and Israel across Iran, including in the capital, Tehran.

The attacks were described by US President Donald Trump as “major combat operations.” The US Department of Defense later said the joint US-Israeli mission was named “Operation Epic Fury.” The strikes come during ongoing tensions over Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and months after a previous 12-day war between the sides.

In an interview with The Armenian Report, Mansourian described the situation inside Iran at the time of the attacks.

“Very important areas were hit by missiles. I myself was in Tehran, and of course, as I am telling you now, in the past two or three hours I myself have already left Tehran and are heading toward Isfahan. Thank God, nothing has happened within the Armenian community. We have no casualties, and the community has not been targeted. However, in other cities where strikes took place, a school was hit by a missile, and unfortunately many children were killed and injured.

The direction of the strikes is aimed at the military and also at intimidating the country’s political and military officials and leadership. But for the past five to six hours, Iran has carried out significant strikes against Israel and also against various U.S. military bases. In addition, Iran’s air defense systems have successfully struck down five or six internal drones.

There has been no danger to the Armenian community. Tehran has already been emptied out; the majority of the population has left the city, especially heading toward the Tabriz region, because there are many Turks there and they are returning to their own cities. Tehran has become quite empty. I myself left Tehran a few hours ago. The city was already rapidly emptying.”

According to Mansourian, many residents began leaving Tehran within hours of the explosions. Roads leading out of the capital became crowded as people headed toward other cities, including Isfahan and the Tabriz region. He said the Armenian community in Iran has not been targeted and there have been no Armenian casualties so far.

Shortly after the initial wave of strikes, Iran launched missile attacks toward northern Israel and at US military bases in the Middle East. Iranian officials said their air defense systems also intercepted several drones. Information about the full extent of casualties and damage in Iran and Israel remains limited.

The situation remains tense, with military operations continuing and fears growing that the conflict could expand further across the region.

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