Tense Operational Situation Created at the Armenia-Iran State Border

Recently, a tense operational situation has arisen at the Armenia-Iran state border due to an increase in attempts to illegally transport drugs and psychoactive substances (such as cannabis, methamphetamine, and heroin) from Iran to Armenia. This was reported to Lurer by the border department of the Federal Security Service of Russia in Armenia.

It was noted that there have also been recorded violations of Armenia's state border by representatives of extremist and terrorist organizations. In 2021, Russian border guards in the Meghri border unit arrested two militants armed with weapons, grenades, and a large quantity of ammunition who had illegally crossed into Armenia from Iran.

“In order to ensure the security of the Republic of Armenia, and in accordance with the RA law on ‘State Border’, and in coordination with the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the National Security Service, and other competent authorities, a number of equipped positions have been established for border control since the beginning of this year, to carry out selective (and without exception in cases of searching and pursuing violators) measures against persons and vehicles to identify, prevent, and curb facts of smuggling, illegal migration, and other violations,” stated the border department of the Federal Security Service of Russia in Armenia.

They requested citizens moving in the border zone to respond with understanding to the legal requirements of the law enforcement agencies.

The border department of the Federal Security Service of Russia in Armenia is responsible for the protection of the state border of Armenia with the Republic of Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Iran based on an interstate agreement on the status and operational conditions of the Russian border troops stationed in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, which was signed between the two countries in 1992.