We Are in Constant Contact with Nearly All Our Citizens and Know the Situation in Each Country: Mirzoyan

YEREVAN — Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated that the government is maintaining constant communication with Armenian citizens abroad and closely monitoring their situations in various countries following the escalation around Iran.

Speaking during a National Assembly–Government question-and-answer session, Mirzoyan said that after tensions escalated around Iran and military operations began, Armenian embassies in all relevant countries were placed on an emergency working regime.

“Contact has been established with citizens of the Republic of Armenia, including through hotlines, and since that moment work has been underway to ensure their safe return to Armenia,” Mirzoyan said, noting that the situation is complicated because flight zones have been closed in nearly all the affected countries and many flights have been canceled.

He explained that one alternative route involves transporting Armenian citizens from the United Arab Emirates to Oman, which shares a land border with the UAE. From Muscat, flights are then organized to Yerevan.

Mirzoyan noted that the Armenian government has taken responsibility for organizing the transport, including arranging companies, paying transportation costs, ensuring safe passage from the UAE to Oman, coordinating airport procedures, and obtaining flight permits through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sometimes through negotiations with airlines.

According to the foreign minister, 110 Armenian citizens returned to Armenia through flights carried out yesterday and today, and additional flights are scheduled in the coming days. There is also a possibility that flights may resume from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Mirzoyan provided details about Armenian citizens currently in different countries:

Mirzoyan added that Armenian diplomatic missions are maintaining contact with citizens everywhere and working to assist them whenever possible, although in some cases travel remains impossible due to closed airspace.

He noted that the government is covering the cost of transporting citizens from the UAE to Muscat Airport, from where flights to Armenia can be arranged.

Addressing complaints about ticket prices, Mirzoyan explained that flight costs have increased due to longer routes and higher operational expenses. According to information provided to him, the cost of a single flight can reach around $170,000, which significantly affects ticket prices when divided among passengers.

“As a member of the government, my responsibility has been to ensure that our citizens have the opportunity to return home and to help them reach that point of departure,” he said.

Mirzoyan also noted that many of the affected citizens had traveled abroad for tourism, and that the government cannot always be expected to cover the full cost of airline tickets.

“At the same time, if there are other groups or vulnerable individuals, we will consider whether the government should assume that financial burden as well,” he added.

He concluded by emphasizing that the government is closely monitoring each case.

“As you can see, I know country by country and citizen by citizen where someone may need medicine, who wants to return, who has accommodation issues, and so on,” Mirzoyan said.