Thousands of Iranians Seek Refuge in Armenia, Türkiye Amid Israel-Iran Escalation

Amid escalating Israeli airstrikes on Iran targeting military and nuclear sites, including civilian areas, there is growing fear and displacement within Iran. Thousands of Iranians are fleeing north towards border crossings with Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, seeking refuge from the conflict which has caused significant stress and shortages in affected areas. Somalia has urged its nationals in Iran to contact its embassy in Turkey for evacuation assistance due to the deteriorating security situation. In Turkey, while authorities report no unusual or large-scale refugee influx, many Iranians like Shirin Talebi are crossing the border seeking temporary safety, planning to stay for short periods until the conflict subsides. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has expressed concern about the conflict's regional impact, including security threats, energy disruptions, and potential refugee flows, and has offered to facilitate renewed nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. The situation remains tense as Iran retaliates with ballistic missile attacks against Israel, prolonging the conflict and increasing regional instability.