Iranian-Armenian
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Iranian Armenians (; ), also known as Persian Armenians (; ), are
Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...
ians of
Armenian Armenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia * Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent ** Armenian diaspora, Armenian communities around the ...
ethnicity who may speak
Armenian Armenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia * Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent ** Armenian diaspora, Armenian communities around the ...
as their first language. Estimates of their number in Iran range from 70,000 to 500,000. Areas with a high concentration of them include
Tabriz Tabriz (; ) is a city in the Central District (Tabriz County), Central District of Tabriz County, in the East Azerbaijan province, East Azerbaijan province of northwestern Iran. It serves as capital of the province, the county, and the distric ...
,
Tehran Tehran (; , ''Tehrân'') is the capital and largest city of Iran. It is the capital of Tehran province, and the administrative center for Tehran County and its Central District (Tehran County), Central District. With a population of around 9. ...
,
Salmas Salmas () is a city in the Central District of Salmas County, West Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. It is northwest of Lake Urmia, near Turkey. Etymology The original name of Salmas was ...
and
New Julfa New Julfa (, ''Now Jolfā'', or , ''Jolfâ-ye Now''; , ''Nor Jugha'') is the Armenians, Armenian quarter of Isfahan, Iran, located along the south bank of the Zayanderud. Established and named after the Gülüstan, Nakhchivan, older city of Julf ...
,
Isfahan Isfahan or Esfahan ( ) is a city in the Central District (Isfahan County), Central District of Isfahan County, Isfahan province, Iran. It is the capital of the province, the county, and the district. It is located south of Tehran. The city ...
. Armenians have lived for millennia in the territory that forms modern-day Iran. Many of the oldest Armenian churches, monasteries, and chapels are in
Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...
.
Iranian Armenia (1502–1828) From 1502 to 1828, during the early modern and late modern era, Eastern Armenia was part of the Iranian empire. Armenians have a history of being divided since the time of the Byzantine Empire and the Sassanid Empire, in the early 5th century. Wh ...
, which includes what is now the Armenian Republic, was part of
Qajar Iran The Guarded Domains of Iran, alternatively the Sublime State of Iran and commonly called Qajar Iran, Qajar Persia or the Qajar Empire, was the Iranian state under the rule of the Qajar dynasty, which was of Turkic peoples, Turkic origin,Cyrus G ...
up to 1828. Iran had one of the largest populations of Armenians in the world, alongside the neighbouring Ottoman Empire until the beginning of the 20th century. Armenians were influential and active in modernizing Iran during the 19th and 20th centuries. After the
Iranian Revolution The Iranian Revolution (, ), also known as the 1979 Revolution, or the Islamic Revolution of 1979 (, ) was a series of events that culminated in the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1979. The revolution led to the replacement of the Impe ...
, many Armenians emigrated to Armenian diasporic communities in
North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere, Northern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South Ameri ...
and
Western Europe Western Europe is the western region of Europe. The region's extent varies depending on context. The concept of "the West" appeared in Europe in juxtaposition to "the East" and originally applied to the Western half of the ancient Mediterranean ...
. Today, the Armenians are Iran's largest Christian religious minority.


History

Since Antiquity, there has always been much interaction between ancient
Armenia Armenia, officially the Republic of Armenia, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of West Asia. It is a part of the Caucasus region and is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia (country), Georgia to the north and Azerbaijan to ...
and Persia. The Armenian people are among the native ethnic groups of northwestern Iran, having millennia-long recorded history there. The region (or parts of it) has made up part of historical Armenia numerous times in history. These historical Armenian regions that nowadays include Iranian Azerbaijan are
Nor Shirakan Nor Shirakan (), Parskahayk () or Persarmenia, was the seventh province of the ancient kingdom of Armenia, situated on the western shore of Lake Urmia, bordered on Adiabene and Atropatene, now in northwestern Iran. Zarehavan was the centre of t ...
,
Vaspurakan Vaspurakan (, Western Armenian pronunciation: ''Vasbouragan'') was the eighth province of the ancient kingdom of Armenia, which later became an independent kingdom during the Middle Ages, centered on Lake Van. Located in what is now southeaster ...
, and
Paytakaran Paytakaran () was the easternmost province ( or ) of the Kingdom of Armenia. The province was located in the area of the lower courses of the Kura and Arax rivers, adjacent to the Caspian Sea. It corresponded to the territory known as Caspiane ...
. Many of the world's oldest Armenian chapels, monasteries and churches are located within this region of Iran. On the
Behistun Inscription The Behistun Inscription (also Bisotun, Bisitun or Bisutun; , Old Persian: Bagastana, meaning "the place of god") is a multilingual Achaemenid royal inscriptions, Achaemenid royal inscription and large rock relief on a cliff at Mount Behistun i ...
of 515 BC,
Darius the Great Darius I ( ; – 486 BCE), commonly known as Darius the Great, was the third King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, reigning from 522 BCE until his death in 486 BCE. He ruled the empire at its territorial peak, when it included much of West A ...
indirectly confirmed that
Urartu Urartu was an Iron Age kingdom centered around the Armenian highlands between Lake Van, Lake Urmia, and Lake Sevan. The territory of the ancient kingdom of Urartu extended over the modern frontiers of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Armenia.Kleiss, Wo ...
and Armenia are synonymous when describing their conquests. Armenia became a
satrap A satrap () was a governor of the provinces of the ancient Median kingdom, Median and Achaemenid Empire, Persian (Achaemenid) Empires and in several of their successors, such as in the Sasanian Empire and the Hellenistic period, Hellenistic empi ...
y of the Achaemenid for a long time, and relations between
Armenians Armenians (, ) are an ethnic group indigenous to the Armenian highlands of West Asia.Robert Hewsen, Hewsen, Robert H. "The Geography of Armenia" in ''The Armenian People From Ancient to Modern Times Volume I: The Dynastic Periods: From Antiq ...
and
Persians Persians ( ), or the Persian people (), are an Iranian ethnic group from West Asia that came from an earlier group called the Proto-Iranians, which likely split from the Indo-Iranians in 1800 BCE from either Afghanistan or Central Asia. They ...
were cordial. The cultural links between the Armenians and the Persians can be traced back to Zoroastrian times. Before the 3rd century, no other neighbor had as much influence on Armenian life and culture as
Parthia Parthia ( ''Parθava''; ''Parθaw''; ''Pahlaw'') is a historical region located in northeastern Greater Iran. It was conquered and subjugated by the empire of the Medes during the 7th century BC, was incorporated into the subsequent Achaemeni ...
. They shared many religious and cultural characteristics, and intermarriage among the Parthian and Armenian nobility was common. For twelve more centuries, Armenia was under the direct or indirect rule of the Persians. In the 11th century, the
Seljuks The Seljuk dynasty, or Seljukids ( ; , ''Saljuqian'',) alternatively spelled as Saljuqids or Seljuk Turks, was an Oghuz Turkic, Sunni Muslim dynasty that gradually became Persianate and contributed to Turco-Persian culture. The founder of th ...
drove thousands of Armenians into Iran, where some were sold as slaves and others worked as artisans and merchants. After the
Mongol invasion of Persia and Mesopotamia The Mongol conquest of Persia and Mesopotamia comprised three Mongol campaigns against Islamic states in the Middle East and Central Asia between 1219 and 1258. These campaigns led to the termination of the Khwarazmian Empire, the Nizari Ismaili ...
in the 13th century, many Armenian merchants and artists settled in Iran, in cities that were once part of historic Armenia such as
Khoy Khoy (, ) is a city in the Central District (Khoy County), Central District of Khoy County, West Azerbaijan province, West Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. Occupied since Medes, Median times, ...
,
Salmas Salmas () is a city in the Central District of Salmas County, West Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. It is northwest of Lake Urmia, near Turkey. Etymology The original name of Salmas was ...
, Maku,
Maragheh Maragheh () is a city in the Central District (Maragheh County), Central District of Maragheh County, East Azerbaijan province, East Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. Maragheh is on the bank of ...
,
Urmia Urmia (; ) is the largest city in West Azerbaijan Province of Iran. In the Central District of Urmia County, it is capital of the province, the county, and the district. The city is situated near the borders of Iran with Turkey and Iraq. ...
, and especially
Tabriz Tabriz (; ) is a city in the Central District (Tabriz County), Central District of Tabriz County, in the East Azerbaijan province, East Azerbaijan province of northwestern Iran. It serves as capital of the province, the county, and the distric ...
.


Early modern to late modern era

Although Armenians have a long history of interaction and settlement with Persia/Iran and within the modern-day borders of the nation, Iran's Armenian community emerged under the
Safavids The Guarded Domains of Iran, commonly called Safavid Iran, Safavid Persia or the Safavid Empire, was one of the largest and longest-lasting Iranian empires. It was ruled from 1501 to 1736 by the Safavid dynasty. It is often considered the begi ...
. In the 16th century, the
Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...
and Safavid Iran divided Armenia. From the early 16th century, both
Western Armenia Western Armenia (Western Armenian: Արեւմտեան Հայաստան, ''Arevmdian Hayasdan'') is a term to refer to the western parts of the Armenian highlands located within Turkey (formerly the Ottoman Empire) that comprise the historic ...
and
Eastern Armenia Eastern Armenia (Armenian: Արևելյան Հայաստան, ''Arevelyan Hayastan'') refers to the eastern portion of the Armenian Highlands, historically inhabited by the Armenian people. Throughout history, Eastern Armenia has been contested and ...
fell under Iranian Safavid rule. Owing to the century-long Turco-Iranian geo-political rivalry that would last in
Western Asia West Asia (also called Western Asia or Southwest Asia) is the westernmost region of Asia. As defined by most academics, UN bodies and other institutions, the subregion consists of Anatolia, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Mesopotamia, the Armenian ...
, significant parts of the region were frequently fought over between the two rival empires. From the mid-16th century with the
Peace of Amasya The Peace of Amasya (; ) was a treaty agreed to on May 29, 1555, between Shah Tahmasp I of Safavid Iran and Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire at the city of Amasya, following the Ottoman–Safavid War (1532–1555), Ottoman ...
, and decisively from the first half of the 17th century with the
Treaty of Zuhab The Treaty of Zuhab (, ''Ahadnāmah Zuhab''), also called Treaty of Qasr-e Shirin (), signed on May 17, 1639, ended the Ottoman-Safavid War of 1623–1639. It confirmed territorial divisions in West Asia, shaping the borders between the Safavid an ...
until the first half of the 19th century, Eastern Armenia was ruled by the successive
Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...
ian Safavid,
Afsharid The Guarded Domains of Iran, commonly referred to as Afsharid Iran or the Afsharid Empire, was an Iranian empire established by the Turkoman Afshar tribe in Iran's north-eastern province of Khorasan, establishing the Afsharid dynasty that wo ...
and
Qajar The Guarded Domains of Iran, alternatively the Sublime State of Iran and commonly called Qajar Iran, Qajar Persia or the Qajar Empire, was the Iranian state under the rule of the Qajar dynasty, which was of Turkic origin,Cyrus Ghani. ''Iran an ...
empires, while Western Armenia remained under Ottoman rule. From 1604
Abbas I of Iran Abbas I (; 27 January 1571 – 19 January 1629), commonly known as Abbas the Great (), was the fifth Safavid shah of Iran from 1588 to 1629. The third son of Shah Mohammad Khodabanda, he is generally considered one of the most important rulers i ...
implemented a
scorched earth A scorched-earth policy is a military strategy of destroying everything that allows an enemy military force to be able to fight a war, including the deprivation and destruction of water, food, humans, animals, plants and any kind of tools and i ...
policy in the region to protect his north-western frontier against any invading Ottoman forces, a policy which involved a
forced resettlement Population transfer or resettlement is a type of mass migration that is often imposed by a state policy or international authority. Such mass migrations are most frequently spurred on the basis of ethnicity or religion, but they also occur d ...
of masses of Armenians outside of their homelands.H. Nahavandi, Y. Bomati, ''Shah Abbas, empereur de Perse (1587–1629)'' (Perrin, Paris, 1998) Shah Abbas
relocated Relocated may refer to: * ''Relocated'' (album), 2006 album by Camouflage *'' Red vs. Blue: Relocated'', 2009 television miniseries *"The Relocated", Inuit of the High Arctic relocation The High Arctic relocation took place during the Cold War ...
an estimated 500,000 Armenians from his Armenian lands during the Ottoman–Safavid War of 1603–1618 to an area of
Isfahan Isfahan or Esfahan ( ) is a city in the Central District (Isfahan County), Central District of Isfahan County, Isfahan province, Iran. It is the capital of the province, the county, and the district. It is located south of Tehran. The city ...
called
New Julfa New Julfa (, ''Now Jolfā'', or , ''Jolfâ-ye Now''; , ''Nor Jugha'') is the Armenians, Armenian quarter of Isfahan, Iran, located along the south bank of the Zayanderud. Established and named after the Gülüstan, Nakhchivan, older city of Julf ...
, which was created to become an Armenian quarter, and to the villages surrounding Isfahan. Iran quickly recognized the Armenians' dexterity in commerce. The community became active in the cultural and economic development of Iran. Bourvari () is a collection of villages in Iran between the city of
Khomeyn Khomeyn () is a city in the Central District of Khomeyn County, Markazi province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. History The name of Khomein was first mentioned in a book named '' The History of Prophets and ...
(
Markazi province Markazi province () is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. Its capital is the city of Arak. The present borders of the province date to 1977, when the province was split into the current Markazi and Tehran provinces, with portions being annexed b ...
) and Aligudarz (
Lorestan province Lorestan province () is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. Its capital is the city of Khorramabad. Lorestan is in the western part of the country in the Zagros Mountains and covers an area of 28,392 km2. In 2014 it was placed in Region ...
). It was mainly populated by Armenians who were forcibly deported to the region by Shah Abbas of the Safavid Persian Empire during the same as part of Abbas's massive scorched earth resettlement policies within the empire. The villages populated by the Armenians in Bourvari were Dehno, Khorzend, Farajabad, Bahmanabad and Sangesfid.


Loss of Eastern Armenia

From the late 18th century, an expanding
Imperial Russia Imperial is that which relates to an empire, emperor/empress, or imperialism. Imperial or The Imperial may also refer to: Places United States * Imperial, California * Imperial, Missouri * Imperial, Nebraska * Imperial, Pennsylvania * ...
switched to a more aggressive geo-political stance towards its two neighbors and rivals to the south, namely Iran and the Ottoman Empire. As a result of the
Treaty of Gulistan The Treaty of Gulistan (also spelled Golestan: ; ) was a peace treaty concluded between the Russian Empire and Qajar Iran on 24 October 1813 in the village of Gülüstan, Goranboy, Gulistan (now in Goranboy District, the Goranboy District of Azerb ...
(1813), Qajar Iran was forced to irrevocably cede swaths of its territories in the Caucasus, comprising modern-day Eastern
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...
,
Dagestan Dagestan ( ; ; ), officially the Republic of Dagestan, is a republic of Russia situated in the North Caucasus of Eastern Europe, along the Caspian Sea. It is located north of the Greater Caucasus, and is a part of the North Caucasian Fede ...
, and most of the
Republic of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a transcontinental and landlocked country at the boundary of West Asia and Eastern Europe. It is a part of the South Caucasus region and is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russi ...
. By the
Treaty of Turkmenchay The Treaty of Turkmenchay (; ) was an agreement between Qajar Iran and the Russian Empire, which concluded the Russo-Persian War (1826–1828). It was second of the series of treaties (the first was the 1813 Treaty of Gulistan and the last, the ...
(1828), Qajar Iran had to cede the remainder of its Caucasian territories, comprising modern-day Armenia and the remaining part of the contemporary Azerbaijan Republic.Timothy C. Dowlin
''Russia at War: From the Mongol Conquest to Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Beyond''
pp 729 ABC-CLIO, 2 dec. 2014
The ceding of what is modern-day Armenia (Eastern Armenia in general) in 1828 resulted in a large number of Armenians falling now under the rule of the Russians. Iranian Armenia was thus supplanted by
Russian Armenia Russian Armenia is the period of Armenian history under Russian rule from 1828, when Eastern Armenia became part of the Russian Empire following Qajar dynasty, Qajar Iran's loss in the Russo-Persian War (1826–1828) and the subsequent ceding of ...
. The Treaty of Turkmenchay further stipulated that the
Tsar Tsar (; also spelled ''czar'', ''tzar'', or ''csar''; ; ; sr-Cyrl-Latn, цар, car) is a title historically used by Slavic monarchs. The term is derived from the Latin word '' caesar'', which was intended to mean ''emperor'' in the Euro ...
had the right to encourage the resettling of Armenians from Iran into the newly established Russian Armenia. This resulted in a large demographic shift; many of Iran's Armenians followed the call, while many Caucasian Muslims migrated to Iran proper. Until the mid-fourteenth century, Armenians had constituted a majority in
Eastern Armenia Eastern Armenia (Armenian: Արևելյան Հայաստան, ''Arevelyan Hayastan'') refers to the eastern portion of the Armenian Highlands, historically inhabited by the Armenian people. Throughout history, Eastern Armenia has been contested and ...
. At the close of the fourteenth century, after
Timur Timur, also known as Tamerlane (1320s17/18 February 1405), was a Turco-Mongol conqueror who founded the Timurid Empire in and around modern-day Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia, becoming the first ruler of the Timurid dynasty. An undefeat ...
's campaigns, Islam had become the dominant faith, and Armenians became a minority in Eastern Armenia. In the wake of the Russian invasion of Iran and the subsequent loss of territories, Muslims (
Persians Persians ( ), or the Persian people (), are an Iranian ethnic group from West Asia that came from an earlier group called the Proto-Iranians, which likely split from the Indo-Iranians in 1800 BCE from either Afghanistan or Central Asia. They ...
, Turkic speakers, and
Kurds Kurds (), or the Kurdish people, are an Iranian peoples, Iranic ethnic group from West Asia. They are indigenous to Kurdistan, which is a geographic region spanning southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, northern Iraq, and northeastern Syri ...
) constituted some 80% of the population of Iranian Armenia, whereas Christian
Armenians Armenians (, ) are an ethnic group indigenous to the Armenian highlands of West Asia.Robert Hewsen, Hewsen, Robert H. "The Geography of Armenia" in ''The Armenian People From Ancient to Modern Times Volume I: The Dynastic Periods: From Antiq ...
constituted a minority of about 20%. After the Russian administration took hold of Iranian Armenia, the ethnic make-up shifted, and thus for the first time in more than four centuries, ethnic Armenians started to form a majority once again in one part of historic Armenia. The new Russian administration encouraged the settling of ethnic Armenians from Iran proper and
Ottoman Turkey The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Central Euro ...
. Some 35,000 Muslims out of more than 100,000 emigrated from the region, while some 57,000 Armenians from Iran proper and Turkey arrived after 1828 (see also Russo-Turkish War of 1828–1829). As a result, by 1832, the number of ethnic Armenians had matched that of the Muslims. Not until after the
Crimean War The Crimean War was fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, the Second French Empire, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Kingdom of Sardinia (1720–1861), Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont fro ...
and the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, which brought another influx of Turkish Armenians, would ethnic Armenians once again establish a solid majority in
Eastern Armenia Eastern Armenia (Armenian: Արևելյան Հայաստան, ''Arevelyan Hayastan'') refers to the eastern portion of the Armenian Highlands, historically inhabited by the Armenian people. Throughout history, Eastern Armenia has been contested and ...
. Nevertheless, Erivan remained a Muslim-majority city up to the twentieth century. According to the traveller
H. F. B. Lynch Henry Finnis Blosse Lynch, Master of Arts, MA, FRGS (18 April 1862 – 24 November 1913) was a British traveller, businessman, and Liberal Party (UK), Liberal Parliament of the United Kingdom, Member of Parliament. Biography Lynch was the only ...
, the city of Erivan was about 50% Armenian and 50% Muslim (Tatars i.e. Azeris and Persians) in the early 1890s. With these events of the first half of the 19th century, and the end of centuries of Iranian rule over
Eastern Armenia Eastern Armenia (Armenian: Արևելյան Հայաստան, ''Arevelyan Hayastan'') refers to the eastern portion of the Armenian Highlands, historically inhabited by the Armenian people. Throughout history, Eastern Armenia has been contested and ...
, a new era had started for the Armenians within the newly established borders of Iran. The Armenians in the recently lost territories north of the
Aras river The Aras is a transboundary river in the Caucasus. It rises in eastern Turkey and flows along the borders between Turkey and Armenia, between Turkey and the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan, between Iran and both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and, fin ...
would go through a Russian-dominated period until 1991.


Twentieth century up to 1979

The Armenians played a significant role in the development of 20th-century Iran, regarding both its economical as well as its cultural configuration. They were pioneers in photography, theater, and the film industry, and also played a very pivotal role in Iranian political affairs. The Revolution of 1905 in Russia had a major effect on northern Iran and, in 1906, Iranian liberals and revolutionaries demanded a constitution in Iran. In 1909 the revolutionaries forced the crown to give up some of its powers.
Yeprem Khan Yeprem Khan (; 1868–1912), born Yeprem Davitian (, ), was an Iranian-Armenian member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), revolutionary leader and a leading figure in the Constitutional Revolution of Iran. He is considered a n ...
, an ethnic Armenian, was an important figure of the
Persian Constitutional Revolution The Persian Constitutional Revolution (, or ''Enghelāb-e Mashrūteh''), also known as the Constitutional Revolution of Iran, took place between 1905 and 1911 during the Qajar Iran, Qajar era. The revolution led to the establishment of a Majl ...
. Armenian Apostolic theologian
Malachia Ormanian Malachia Ormanian (; 11 February 1841 – 19 November 1918) was the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople from 1896 to 1908. He was also a theologian, historian, and philologist. Life Boghos Ormanian (baptismal name), originated from an Armenians, ...
, in his 1911 book on the Armenian Church, estimated that some 83,400 Armenians lived in Persia, of whom 81,000 were followers of the Apostolic Church, while 2,400 were Armenian Catholics. The Armenian population was distributed in the following regions: 40,400 in
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a Boundaries between the continents, transcontinental and landlocked country at the boundary of West Asia and Eastern Europe. It is a part of the South Caucasus region and is bounded by ...
, 31,000 in and around
Isfahan Isfahan or Esfahan ( ) is a city in the Central District (Isfahan County), Central District of Isfahan County, Isfahan province, Iran. It is the capital of the province, the county, and the district. It is located south of Tehran. The city ...
, 7,000 in
Kurdistan Kurdistan (, ; ), or Greater Kurdistan, is a roughly defined geo- cultural region in West Asia wherein the Kurds form a prominent majority population and the Kurdish culture, languages, and national identity have historically been based. G ...
and
Lorestan Lorestan province () is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. Its capital is the city of Khorramabad. Lorestan is in the western part of the country in the Zagros Mountains and covers an area of 28,392 km2. In 2014 it was placed in Region ...
, and 5,000 in Tehran. During the
Armenian genocide The Armenian genocide was the systematic destruction of the Armenians, Armenian people and identity in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Spearheaded by the ruling Committee of Union and Progress (CUP), it was implemented primarily t ...
, about 50,000 Armenians fled the
Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...
and took refuge in Persia. As a result of the
Persian Campaign Persian expedition or Persian campaign may refer to: * Persian campaign (Alexander the Great) (334–333 BC) * Julian's Persian expedition (363) * Persian expedition of Stepan Razin (1669) * Persian campaign of Peter the Great (1722–1723) * P ...
in
northern Iran Northern Iran (), is a geographical term that refers to a relatively large and fertile area, consisting of the southern border of the Caspian Sea and the Alborz mountains. It includes the provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan (ancie ...
during
World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, the Ottomans massacred 80,000 Armenians and 30,000 fled to the Russian Empire. The community experienced a political rejuvenation with the arrival of the exiled
Dashnak The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (, abbr. ARF (ՀՅԴ) or ARF-D), also known as Dashnaktsutyun (Armenian: Դաշնակցություն, lit. "Federation"), is an Armenian nationalist and socialist political party founded in 1890 in Tifl ...
(ARF) leadership from
Russian Armenia Russian Armenia is the period of Armenian history under Russian rule from 1828, when Eastern Armenia became part of the Russian Empire following Qajar dynasty, Qajar Iran's loss in the Russo-Persian War (1826–1828) and the subsequent ceding of ...
in mid-1921; approximately 10,000 Armenian ARF party leaders, intellectuals, fighters, and their families crossed the
Aras River The Aras is a transboundary river in the Caucasus. It rises in eastern Turkey and flows along the borders between Turkey and Armenia, between Turkey and the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan, between Iran and both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and, fin ...
and took refuge in Qajar Iran. This large influx of Armenians who were affiliated with the ARF also meant that the ARF would ensure its dominance over the other traditional Armenian parties of Persia, and by extension over the entire Iranian Armenian community, which was centered around the Armenian church. Further immigrants and refugees from the Soviet Union numbering nearly 30,000 continued to increase the Armenian community until 1933. Thus by 1930 there were approximately 200,000 Armenians in Iran. The modernization efforts of Reza Shah (1924–1941) and Mohammad Reza Shah (1941–1979) gave the Armenians ample opportunities for advancement, and Armenians gained important positions in the arts and sciences, economy and services sectors, mainly in Tehran, Tabriz, and Isfahan that became major centers for Armenians. From 1946–1949 about 20,000 Armenians left Iran for the Soviet Union and from 1962–1982 another 25,000 Armenians followed them to
Soviet Armenia The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (ArSSR), also known as Soviet Armenia, or simply Armenia, was one of the Republics of the Soviet Union, constituent republics of the Soviet Union, located in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Soviet Armenia ...
. By 1979, in the dawn of the Islamic Revolution, an estimated 200,000 – 300,000 Armenians were living in Iran. By 1978, Tehran alone had an Armenian population of 110,000, in part due to migration of Armenian villagers from rural areas of Iran. Armenian churches, schools, cultural centers, sports clubs and associations flourished and Armenians had their own senator and member of parliament, 300 churches and 500 schools and libraries served the needs of the community. Armenian presses published numerous books, journals, periodicals, and newspapers, the prominent one being the daily "Alik".


After the 1979 Revolution

Many Armenians served in the
Iranian Armed Forces The Iranian Armed Forces, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces, are the combined military forces of Iran, comprising the Islamic Republic of Iran Army (''Artesh''), the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (''Sepah'') and the Polic ...
, with 89 killed in action during the
Iran–Iraq War The Iran–Iraq War, also known as the First Gulf War, was an armed conflict between Iran and Iraq that lasted from September 1980 to August 1988. Active hostilities began with the Iraqi invasion of Iran and lasted for nearly eight years, unti ...
. Ayatollah
Ali Khamenei Ali Hosseini Khamenei (; born 19 April 1939) is an Iranian cleric and politician who has served as the second supreme leader of Iran since 1989. He previously served as the third President of Iran, president from 1981 to 1989. Khamenei's tenure ...
has praised the role of Armenians in the war, saying to the Armenian Prime Minister that "Armenian martyrs of the imposed war are like Muslims martyrs and we consider them as honors of Iran". The fall of the
Soviet Union The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...
, the common border with Armenia, and the Armeno-Iranian diplomatic and economic agreements have opened a new era for the Iranian Armenians. Iran remains one of Armenia's major trade partners, and the Iranian government has helped ease the hardships of Armenia caused by the blockade imposed by
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a Boundaries between the continents, transcontinental and landlocked country at the boundary of West Asia and Eastern Europe. It is a part of the South Caucasus region and is bounded by ...
and
Turkey Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a relatively small part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia (country), Georgia, Armen ...
. This includes important consumer products, access to air travel, and energy sources (like petroleum and electricity).


Current status

The Armenians remain the largest religious minority in Iran, and are still the largest Christian community in the country, far ahead of
Assyrians Assyrians (, ) are an ethnic group indigenous to Mesopotamia, a geographical region in West Asia. Modern Assyrians share descent directly from the ancient Assyrians, one of the key civilizations of Mesopotamia. While they are distinct from ot ...
. They are appointed two out of the five seats in the
Iranian Parliament The Islamic Consultative Assembly (), also called the Iranian Parliament, the Iranian Majles (Arabicised spelling Majlis) or ICA, is the unicameral national legislative body of Iran. The parliament currently consists of 290 representatives, an i ...
reserved for religious minorities (more than any other religious minority) and are the only minority with official observing status in the
Guardian Guardian usually refers to: * Legal guardian, a person with the authority and duty to care for the interests of another * ''The Guardian'', a British daily newspaper (The) Guardian(s) may also refer to: Places * Guardian, West Virginia, Unit ...
and
Expediency Discernment Council The Expediency Discernment Council of the System ( ''Majma'-e Tašxis-e Maslahat-e Nezâm'') is an administrative assembly of Iran appointed by the Supreme Leader of Iran, Supreme Leader and was created upon the revision to the Constitution of ...
s. Half of Iran's Armenians live in the Tehran area (where they have been established since at least the
Safavid era The Safavid dynasty (; , ) was one of Iran's most significant ruling dynasties reigning from 1501 to 1736. Their rule is often considered the beginning of modern Iranian history, as well as one of the gunpowder empires. The Safavid Shah Ismai ...
), most notably in its suburbs of Narmak, Majidiyeh, Nadershah, etc. A quarter live in Isfahan, and the other quarter is concentrated in Northwestern Iran or Iranian Azerbaijan.Իրանահայ «Ալիք»- ը նշում է 80- ամյակը
/ref>


Distribution

In 387 AD when the
Sasanian Empire The Sasanian Empire (), officially Eranshahr ( , "Empire of the Iranian peoples, Iranians"), was an List of monarchs of Iran, Iranian empire that was founded and ruled by the House of Sasan from 224 to 651. Enduring for over four centuries, th ...
and the
Byzantine Empire The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire centred on Constantinople during late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Having survived History of the Roman Empire, the events that caused the ...
split Armenia, the historically Armenian areas of
Nor Shirakan Nor Shirakan (), Parskahayk () or Persarmenia, was the seventh province of the ancient kingdom of Armenia, situated on the western shore of Lake Urmia, bordered on Adiabene and Atropatene, now in northwestern Iran. Zarehavan was the centre of t ...
,
Paytakaran Paytakaran () was the easternmost province ( or ) of the Kingdom of Armenia. The province was located in the area of the lower courses of the Kura and Arax rivers, adjacent to the Caspian Sea. It corresponded to the territory known as Caspiane ...
, and the eastern half of
Vaspurakan Vaspurakan (, Western Armenian pronunciation: ''Vasbouragan'') was the eighth province of the ancient kingdom of Armenia, which later became an independent kingdom during the Middle Ages, centered on Lake Van. Located in what is now southeaster ...
were ceded to the Persians, these territories comprise the western and northern regions of Azerbaijan. Following the
Russo-Persian War (1826–28) The Russo-Persian Wars ( ), or the Russo-Iranian Wars ( ), began in 1651 and continued intermittently until 1828. They consisted of five conflicts in total, each rooted in both sides' disputed governance of territories and countries in the Cauc ...
about 40,000 Armenians left Azerbaijan and resettled in newly established
Russian Armenia Russian Armenia is the period of Armenian history under Russian rule from 1828, when Eastern Armenia became part of the Russian Empire following Qajar dynasty, Qajar Iran's loss in the Russo-Persian War (1826–1828) and the subsequent ceding of ...
. The area retained a large Armenian population until 1914 when World War I began and Azerbaijan was invaded by the Ottomans who slaughtered much of the local Armenian population. Prior to the Ottoman invasion there were about 150,000 Armenians in Azerbaijan, and 30,000 of them were in Tabriz. About 80,000 were massacred, 30,000 fled to Russian Armenia, and the other 10,000 fled the area of the modern
West Azerbaijan Province West Azerbaijan province () is one of the 31 provinces of Iran, whose capital and largest city is Urmia. It is in the northwest of the country, bordered by Turkey ( Ağrı, Hakkâri, Iğdır and Van Provinces), Iraq ( Erbil and Sula ...
and took refuge among the Armenians of Tabriz. After the war ended in 1918 the 10,000 refugees in Tabriz returned to their villages, but many resettled in Soviet Armenia from 1947 up until the early 80s. Currently, about 4,000 Armenians remain in the countryside of East Azerbaijan and about 2,000 remain in Tabriz living in the districts of Nowbar, Bazar, and Ahrab owning 4 churches, a school and a cemetery. This is a list of previously or currently Armenian inhabited settlements: *Maku (''Շավարշան'' / ''Shavarshan'' or ''Արտազ'' / '' Artaz'' ( hy) in Armenian) now in Maku and Chalderan counties in West Azerbaijan Province: ** Maku, Qareh-Kelisa,
Avajiq Avajiq () is a city in, and the capital of, Dashtaki District of Chaldoran County, West Azerbaijan province, Iran. The city of Avajiq is near the Turkish border, some south of the town of Doğubeyazıt in Turkey. It is the westernmost city ...
, Siah Cheshmeh, Shaveran,
Sadal Sadal () is a village in Chaldoran-e Shomali Rural District of the Central District of Chaldoran County, West Azerbaijan province, Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in W ...
and Baron (Dzor Dzor). *
Khoy Khoy (, ) is a city in the Central District (Khoy County), Central District of Khoy County, West Azerbaijan province, West Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. Occupied since Medes, Median times, ...
(''Հեր'' / ''Her'' in Armenian) now in
Khoy Khoy (, ) is a city in the Central District (Khoy County), Central District of Khoy County, West Azerbaijan province, West Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. Occupied since Medes, Median times, ...
and Chaypareh (
Avarayr Plain The Avarayr Plain () is the location of the Battle of Avarayr in 451, and is described as being along the banks of the Ṭłmut River () (Rūd-e Zangemār, Iran), apparently the Armeno-Persian frontier at that time.{{cite web , title=AVARAYR , ...
) counties in West Azerbaijan Province: **
Khoy Khoy (, ) is a city in the Central District (Khoy County), Central District of Khoy County, West Azerbaijan province, West Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. Occupied since Medes, Median times, ...
, Mahlazan, Ghris, Fanai, Dizeh,
Qotur Qatur ( ) is a city in, and the capital of, Qatur District of Khoy County, West Azerbaijan province, Iran. It also serves as the administrative center for Qatur Rural District. Etymology The city's name is said to originate from a disease ...
, Chors, Var, Quruq, Shurab, Qarajelu, Qareh Shaban and
Saidabad Saidabad is a mandal in Hyderabad District in Telangana, India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of c ...
. *
Salmas Salmas () is a city in the Central District of Salmas County, West Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. It is northwest of Lake Urmia, near Turkey. Etymology The original name of Salmas was ...
(''Սալմաստ'' / ''Salmast'' or ''Սաղամաստ'' / ''Saghamast'' in Armenian) now in
Salmas County Salmas County () is in West Azerbaijan province, Iran. Its capital is the city of Salmas. Demographics Ethnicity The county is populated largely by Kurds and a smaller minority of Azerbaijanis. Also a few hundred Assyrians live in the dis ...
in
West Azerbaijan Province West Azerbaijan province () is one of the 31 provinces of Iran, whose capital and largest city is Urmia. It is in the northwest of the country, bordered by Turkey ( Ağrı, Hakkâri, Iğdır and Van Provinces), Iraq ( Erbil and Sula ...
: **
Salmas Salmas () is a city in the Central District of Salmas County, West Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. It is northwest of Lake Urmia, near Turkey. Etymology The original name of Salmas was ...
t, Kohneshahr, Akhtekhaneh ( fa), Aslanik, Charik, Drishk, Qalasar, Qezeljeh, Haftvan ( fa), Khosrowabad ( fa) ( fa), Goluzan,
Malham Malham is a village and civil parish in the county of North Yorkshire, England. In the ''Domesday Book'', the name is given as Malgun, meaning "settlement by the gravelly places". Until 1974 it was part of the Settle Rural District, in the ...
( fa), Sheitanabad, Payajuk ( fa), Karabulagh,
Vardan Vardan (; Vartan (disambiguation), Vartan in Western Armenian transliteration, pronounced in both Eastern and Western Armenian), Varden (disambiguation), Varden ( ka, ვარდენ) in Georgian language, Georgian, is an Armenian name of Midd ...
( fa), Hodar,
Malham Malham is a village and civil parish in the county of North Yorkshire, England. In the ''Domesday Book'', the name is given as Malgun, meaning "settlement by the gravelly places". Until 1974 it was part of the Settle Rural District, in the ...
( fa) ( fa), Saramelik,
Sarna Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA), also termed self-replicating RNA (srRNA), is a type of mRNA molecule engineered to replicate itself within host cells, enhancing protein expression and boosting the immune response, making it a promising tool for vacc ...
( fa), Savera ( hy), Zivajik, Kojamish and Ula. *
Urmia Urmia (; ) is the largest city in West Azerbaijan Province of Iran. In the Central District of Urmia County, it is capital of the province, the county, and the district. The city is situated near the borders of Iran with Turkey and Iraq. ...
(''Ուրմիա'' / ''Urmia'' or ''Ուռմի'' / ''Urmi'' in Armenian) now in
Urmia County Urmia County () is in West Azerbaijan province, Iran. Its capital is the city of Urmia. Demographics Ethnicity The county is mainly populated by Azerbaijanis, Persians and Kurds Kurds (), or the Kurdish people, are an Iranian peopl ...
in West Azerbaijan Province: **
Urmia Urmia (; ) is the largest city in West Azerbaijan Province of Iran. In the Central District of Urmia County, it is capital of the province, the county, and the district. The city is situated near the borders of Iran with Turkey and Iraq. ...
, Balanej, Badelbo, Surmanabad,
Jamalabad Jamalabad Fort is an old hilltop fortification in Killoor road, Belthangady, Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka, India. It is located in the Kudremukh range of hills, 8 km north of Beltangady town and 65 km from the city of Mangalo ...
, Gardabad, Ikiaghaj, Isalu, Karaguz, Nakhichevan Tepe, Reihanabad, Sepurghan, Karabagh, Adeh, Dizej Ala, Khan Babakhan, Kachilan, Shirabad, Charbakhsh, Chahar Gushan,
Ballu Balwant Singh (1945 – 14 November 2010), popularly known as Ballu, was an Indian volleyball player, considered a star of the India men's national volleyball team. His son Narender is a professional volleyball player who plays for the Indian v ...
, Darbarud, ِDigala ( fa), Kukia and Babarud. * Julfa (''Ջուղա'' / ''Jugha'' in Armenian): **Upper Darashamb, Middle Darashamb and Lower Darashamb. *
Arasbaran Arasbaran (), also known as Qaradagh (; , ; ), is a large mountainous area stretching from the Qūshā Dāgh massif, south of Ahar, to the Aras River in East Azerbaijan province of Iran. The region is confined to Aras Riv ...
(''Պարսպատունիք'' / ''Parspatunik'' ( hy) or ''Ղարադաղ'' / ''Gharadagh'' ( hy) in Armenian) now in Julfa, Khoda Afarin,
Varzaqan Varzaqan () is a city in the Central District of Varzaqan County, East Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. It is also the administrative center for Ozomdel-e Jonubi Rural District. History 202 ...
,
Ahar Ahar () is a city in the Central District of Ahar County, East Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. Ahar was the capital of Karadag Khanate in 18th and 19th centuries. History Ahar is one ...
and
Kaleybar Kaleybar ( Azerbaijani and ) is a city in the Central District of Kaleybar County, East Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. In recent years, the city has become a tourist destinatio ...
counties in
East Azerbaijan Province East Azerbaijan province () is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. Its capital is the city of Tabriz. The province is located in Azerbaijan (Iran), Iranian Azerbaijan, bordering Armenia, the Azerbaijan, Republic of Azerbaijan, Ardabil pro ...
: **Dizmar (
West West is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from east and is the direction in which the Sun sets on the Earth. Etymology The word "west" is a Germanic word passed into some Romance langu ...
, Central and
East East is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from west and is the direction from which the Sun rises on the Earth. Etymology As in other languages, the word is formed from the fact that ea ...
): *** Aghaghan, Khaneqah, Qeshlaq, Yurgiutiun, Sardu ( hy), Owli. ** Mishepara: *** Nepesht, Mikidi, Aghayi, Balan,
Berd Berd ( ) is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia. It is the administrative centre of Berd Municipality. The town is located to the west of the Tavush River, from Yerevan, surrounded by low mountains. Near the city are the ruins of the 10th ...
, Qasmushen, Garmanab. ** Mnjivan: *** Vinaq, Aynalu, Sevahogh, Vardanashen, Karaglukh, Keshish Qeshlaq, Abbasabad, Norashen, Mzget, Luma,
Vayqan Vayqan () is a city in the Central District of Shabestar County, East Azerbaijan province, Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, ...
. ** Keivan: ***
Siran Siran may refer to: Geography *Siran, Cantal, a commune in the department of Cantal, France * Siran, Hérault, a commune in the department of Hérault, France * Siran, East Azerbaijan, a village in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran * Siran, Markazi, a ...
, Avanlu, Qalamlu, Avarsin, Asran,
Ashraf Sharīf or Sherif (, 'noble', 'highborn'), also spelled shareef, feminine sharīfa (), plural ashrāf (), shurafāʾ (), or (in the Maghreb) shurfāʾ, is a title used to designate a person descended, or claiming to be descended, from the famil ...
, Seqin, Dogidara, Sohran. **
Hagar According to the Book of Genesis, Hagar is an Egyptian slave, a handmaiden of Sarah (then known as ''Sarai''), whom Sarah gave to her own husband Abram (later renamed Abraham) as a wife to bear him a child. Abraham's firstborn son, through Haga ...
: ***
Abella Abella, often known as Abella of Salerno or Abella of Castellomata, was a physician in the mid fourteenth century. Abella studied and taught at the Salerno School of Medicine. Abella is believed to have been born around 1380, but the exact time ...
, Amredul. *
Tabriz Tabriz (; ) is a city in the Central District (Tabriz County), Central District of Tabriz County, in the East Azerbaijan province, East Azerbaijan province of northwestern Iran. It serves as capital of the province, the county, and the distric ...
(''Թավրիզ'' / ''Tavriz'' or ''Թաւրէժ'' / ''Tavrezh'' in Armenian) now in
Tabriz County Tabriz County () is in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Its capital is the city of Tabriz Tabriz (; ) is a city in the Central District (Tabriz County), Central District of Tabriz County, in the East Azerbaijan province, East Azerbaija ...
in East Azerbaijan Province: **
Tabriz Tabriz (; ) is a city in the Central District (Tabriz County), Central District of Tabriz County, in the East Azerbaijan province, East Azerbaijan province of northwestern Iran. It serves as capital of the province, the county, and the distric ...
, Mujumbar,
Sohrol Sohrol (, also Romanized as Sahrol; also known as Sohreqeh, Sokhrul, and Sūhrul; in ) is a village in Rudqat Rural District, Sufian District, Shabestar County, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran ...
, Aljamolk and Minavar. *
Ardabil Ardabil (, ) is a city in northwestern Iran. It is in the Central District (Ardabil County), Central District of Ardabil County, Ardabil province, Ardabil province, Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county, and the district. The ...
(''Արտավիլ'' / ''Artavil'' or ''Արտավետ'' / ''Artavet'' in Armenian) *
Maragheh Maragheh () is a city in the Central District (Maragheh County), Central District of Maragheh County, East Azerbaijan province, East Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. Maragheh is on the bank of ...
(''Մարաղա'' / ''Maragha'' in Armenian) *
Miandoab Miandoab () is a city in the Central District (Miandoab County), Central District of Miandoab County, West Azerbaijan province, West Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. Demographics Language an ...
: **Taqiabad


Tabriz

Traditionally, Tabriz where Armenian political life vibrated from the early modern (Safavid) era and on. After the ceding of swaths of territories to Russia in the first quarter of the 19th century, the independent position of the Tabrizi Armenians was strengthened, as they gained immunities and concessions by
Abbas Mirza Abbas Mirza (; 26 August 1789 – 25 October 1833) was the Qajar dynasty, Qajar crown prince of Qajar Iran, Iran during the reign of his father Fath-Ali Shah Qajar (). As governor of the vulnerable Azerbaijan (Iran), Azerbaijan province, he played ...
.Christoph Werner. ''An Iranian Town in Transition: A Social and Economic History of the Elites of Tabriz, 1747–1848'' page 90. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, 2000. The particular importance of the Tabrizi Armenians also grew with the transfer of the bishop's seat from St.Taddeus (or ''Qara Kelissa'') near
Salmas Salmas () is a city in the Central District of Salmas County, West Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. It is northwest of Lake Urmia, near Turkey. Etymology The original name of Salmas was ...
to Tabriz in 1845. Tabriz has an Arajnordaran, three Armenian Churches ( St. Sargis, Shoghakat, and
St. Mary Mary was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Saint Joseph, Joseph and the mother of Jesus. She is an important figure of Christianity, venerated under titles of Mary, mother of Jesus, various titles such as Perpetual virginity ...
), a chapel ( fa), a school, Ararat Cultural Club and an Armenian cemetery ( fa) ( fa).


Notable Armenians from Tabriz

;Pre-Pahlavi period (pre-1925) *
Arakel of Tabriz Arakel of Tabriz or Arakel Davrizhetsi (; 1590s–1670) was an Armenian historian and clergyman from Tabriz. His ''History'' is an important and reliable source for the histories of the Safavid and Ottoman empires, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and ...
, historian *
Mohammad Beg Mohammad Beg (; died 1672), was a Muslim of Armenians, Armenian origin, who served as the List of Safavid Grand Viziers, Grand Vizier of the Safavid king (''shah'') Abbas II of Persia, Abbas II (r. 1642–1666) from 1654 to 1661. Origins Mohamma ...
, statesman * William Cormick, physician (half Armenian) *
Hayk Bzhishkyan Hayk Bzhishkian (, , also known as Guy Dmitrievich Guy, Gai Dmitrievich Gai (Гай Дмитриевич Гай), Gaya Gai (Гая Гай), – 11 December 1937), was a Soviet military commander of Armenian origin who fought in the Russian Civi ...
, Soviet military commander (half Armenian) * Ardashes Badmagrian, movie theater owner * Hambarsoom Grigorian, composer *
Vartan Hovanessian Vartan Hovanessian (; Persian:وارطان هوانسیان , 1896 in Tabriz – 1982 in Tehran) was an Iranian Armenian architect and leading figure in architectural practice and philosophy. He was born in Tabriz. After high school gradua ...
, architect *
Ivan Galamian Ivan Alexander Galamian (; April 14, 1981) was an Armenian-American violin teacher of the twentieth century who was the violin teacher of many seminal violin players including Itzhak Perlman and Kyung Wha Chung. Biography Galamian was born in ...
, violin teacher *
Hakob Karapents Hakob Karapents (), also known as Jack Karapetian, was a prolific Iranian Armenians, Iranian-Armenian author born in 1925 in Tabriz, Iran. He settled in the United States in 1947. He wrote numerous novels and short story, short stories in both A ...
, author *
Gegham Saryan Gegham Baghdasaryan (, December 25, 1902, Tabriz – November 14, 1976, Yerevan Yerevan ( , , ; ; sometimes spelled Erevan) is the capital and largest city of Armenia, as well as one of the world's List of oldest continuously inhabited citi ...
, poet and translator * Vahan Papazian, political activist and community leader *
Avetis Nazarbekian Avetis Vardani Nazarbekian (, 1866–1939), also known as ''Nazarbek'', ''Avo'' and ''Lerents'', was an Armenian poet, journalist, political activist and revolutionary. He was one of the founders of the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party. Biography ...
, poet, journalist, political activist and revolutionary * Louise Aslanian, writer and figure in the French Resistance ;Pahlavi and post-Pahlavi period (post-1925) *
Alexander Abian Alexander (Smbat) Abian (January 1, 1923 – July 24, 1999) was an Iranian-born Armenian-American mathematician who taught for over 25 years at Iowa State University and became notable for his frequent posts to various Usenet newsgroups, and ...
, mathematician * Varto Terian, Iran's first stage actress of theater and educator *
Samuel Khachikian Samuel Khachikian ( ; ; October 21, 1923 – October 22, 2001) was an Iranian film director, screenwriter, author, and film editor of Armenian descent. He was one of the most influential figures of Iranian cinema and was nicknamed "Iran's Hitch ...
, film director, screenwriter, author, and film editor * Arman (actor), actor, film director, producer * Robert Ekhart, film director (half Armenian) * Emik Avakian, inventor *
Khachik Babayan Khachik Babayan is an Iranian-Armenian violin player. He was a student of Manoug Parikian. Life Khachik Babayan was born in 1956 in Tabriz, Iran. He began to play the violin when he was four. At the age of seven, he began violin studies with his ...
, violin player *
Grigor Vahramian Gasparbeg Grigor Vahramian Gasparbeg (; ) was an Iranian painter of Armenian descent. Most of Gasparbeg's paintings are in oil and of classical style. Early life Gasparbeg was born in 1900 to Stepan and Mariam Gasparbeg in Nakhchivan (city), Old Nakhichev ...
, painter *
Vartan Vahramian Vartan Vahramian (; ; born 1955) is an Iranian-Armenian composer, artist and painter. He has made musical creations, solo performances as a baritone, and conducted choirs. Early life Vartan Vahramian was born in 1955 in Tabriz, East Azerbaij ...
, composer, artist, and painter *
Vartan Gregorian Vartan Gregorian (April 8, 1934 – April 15, 2021) was an Armenian-American academic, educator, and historian. He served as president of the Carnegie Corporation from 1997 to 2021. Gregorian moved to the United States from Iran at age 22. H ...
, academic *
Vartan Hovanessian Vartan Hovanessian (; Persian:وارطان هوانسیان , 1896 in Tabriz – 1982 in Tehran) was an Iranian Armenian architect and leading figure in architectural practice and philosophy. He was born in Tabriz. After high school gradua ...
, architect * Rouben Galichian, scholar * Henry D. Sahakian, businessman


Central Iran

List of Armenian villages in central Iran: * Kharaqan ( hy) (''Ղարաղան'' / ''Gharaghan'' in Armenian) now in
Zarandieh County Zarandiyeh County () is in Markazi province, Iran, the northernmost county of the province. Its capital is the city of Mamuniyeh. History After the 2006 National Census, the village of Khoshkrud was elevated to the status of a city. Dem ...
in
Markazi Province Markazi province () is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. Its capital is the city of Arak. The present borders of the province date to 1977, when the province was split into the current Markazi and Tehran provinces, with portions being annexed b ...
: ** Upper Chanakhchi, Lar, Charhad and Lower Chanakhchi. *
Hamadan Hamadan ( ; , ) is a mountainous city in western Iran. It is located in the Central District of Hamadan County in Hamadan province, serving as the capital of the province, county, and district. As of the 2016 Iranian census, it had a po ...
: **
Hamadan Hamadan ( ; , ) is a mountainous city in western Iran. It is located in the Central District of Hamadan County in Hamadan province, serving as the capital of the province, county, and district. As of the 2016 Iranian census, it had a po ...
and
Sheverin Sheverin () is a village in Sangestan Rural District of the Central District (Hamadan County), Central District of Hamadan County, Hamadan province, Hamadan province, Iran. Demographics Population At the time of the 2006 National Census, th ...
. *
Malayer Malayer () is a city in the Central District of Malayer County, Hamadan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. Malayer is the second largest city in the province, and is famous for furniture. The city has m ...
: ** Anuch,
Deh Chaneh Deh Chaneh (, also Romanized as Deh Chāneh; also known as Deh-i-Chunāi) is a village in Kamazan-e Vosta Rural District, Zand District, Malayer County, Hamadan Province, Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and als ...
and Qaleh Fattahieh. * Kazaz (''Kiazaz'' in Armenian) now in
Shazand County Shazand County () is in Markazi province, Iran. Its capital is the city of Shazand. History After the 2006 National Census, Kazzaz Rural District was created in the Central District, and Qarah Kahriz and Kuhsar Rural Districts were se ...
in Markazi Province: ** Shazand ( fa) ( fa) ( fa), Abbasabad, Gurezar ( fa) and Anbarteh. * Kamareh (''Kiamara'' in Armenian) now in
Khomeyn County Khomeyn County () is in Markazi Province, Iran. Its capital is the city of Khomeyn. History The name "Khomeyn" was first mentioned in a book named ''The History of Prophets and Kings''. Subterranean canals (qanats), sewers and its famous ...
in Markazi Province: ** Lilian ( fa), Qurchibash ( fa), Chartagh, Davudabad, Kandha, Darreh Shur, Mazra,
Saki Hector Hugh Munro (18 December 1870 – 14 November 1916), popularly known by his pen name Saki and also frequently as H. H. Munro, was a British writer whose witty, mischievous and sometimes macabre stories satirise Edwardian society and ...
, Ortachiman, Asadabad,
Danian The Danian is the oldest age or lowest stage of the Paleocene Epoch or Series, of the Paleogene Period or System, and of the Cenozoic Era or Erathem. The beginning of the Danian (and the end of the preceding Maastrichtian) is at the Cretac ...
, Farajabad, Hajiabad, Nasrabad, Kajarestan and Mazraeh Qasem. * Borborud (''Բուրւարի'' / '' Bourvari'' in Armenian) now in
Aligudarz County Aligudarz County () is in Lorestan province, Iran. Its capital is the city of Aligudarz. History After the 2006 National Census, the village of Shulabad-e Sofla was elevated to city status as Shulabad. After the 2011 census, Borborud- ...
in
Lorestan Province Lorestan province () is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. Its capital is the city of Khorramabad. Lorestan is in the western part of the country in the Zagros Mountains and covers an area of 28,392 km2. In 2014 it was placed in Region ...
: ** Shapurabad, Khorzand, Parmishan,
Pahra The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) is a non-profit, national human rights organization in the Philippines, Manila. PAHRA is an alliance of individuals, institutions and organizations committed to the promotion, protection and ...
, Sang-e Sefid, Bahramabad, Dehnow, Qareh Kahriz, Nasrabad, Goran,
Jowz Jowz (, also Romanized as Juz) is a village in Borborud-e Sharqi Rural District, in the Central District of Aligudarz County, Lorestan Province, Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a co ...
, Cherbas, Jahan Khosh and Anuj. * Japloq ( hy) (''Գյափլա'' / ''Giapla'' in Armenian) now in
Azna County Azna County () is in Lorestan province, Iran. Its capital is the city of Azna. Demographics Population At the time of the 2006 National Census, the county's population was 70,462 in 16,663 households. The following census in 2011 counted ...
in Lorestan Province and Shazand County in Markazi Province: ** Azna,
Ahmadabad Ahmedabad is the largest city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Ahmedabad or Ahmadabad may also refer to: Pakistan * Ahmedabad, Punjab, a city in Punjab * Ahmedabad, Gilgit Baltistan, a village in Gilgit-Baltistan * Fort Ahmadabad, or Kot Di ...
, Bosnava, Berk, Perchestan, Marzian, Qataat, Gorji, Kamian, Masoudabad, Abbasabad, Bamian, Bagh Muri, Zarna, Tokhmar and Sharafabad. *Faridan (''Փերիա'' / '' Peria'' in Armenian) now in Faridan, Buin & Miandasht and
Fereydunshahr Fereydunshahr () is a city in the Central District of Fereydunshahr County, Isfahan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. It is about 150 km west of the city of Isfahan in the western part of the provinc ...
counties in Isfahan Province: **
Zarneh Zarneh () is a city in, and the capital of, Zarneh District of Eyvan County, Ilam province, Iran. As a village, it was the capital of Zarneh Rural District until its capital was transferred to the village of Taran. Demographics Ethnicit ...
(Boloran), Upper Khoygan, Nemagerd, Gharghan, Sangbaran, Hezar Jarib, Singerd, Lower Khoygan,
Adegan Adegan (, also Romanized as ‘Ādegān and Adgān; also known as Adgūn and Adkān) is a village in Zayandeh Rud-e Shomali Rural District, in the Central District of Faridan County, Isfahan Province, Iran Iran, officially the Islamic ...
, Chigan,
Hadan Hadan (, also Romanized as Hādān and Hadān; also known as Ardūn, Hādūn, and Hāvān) is a village in Sardshir Rural District, in the Central District of Buin va Miandasht County, Isfahan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population ...
, Milagerd, Surshegan, Savaran, Chigan, Derakhtak, Punestan, Qaleh Khajeh, Aznavleh, Bijgerd, Khong (now part of town of
Fereydunshahr Fereydunshahr () is a city in the Central District of Fereydunshahr County, Isfahan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. It is about 150 km west of the city of Isfahan in the western part of the provinc ...
), Moghandar, Qalamelik, Nanadegan and Darreh Bid. * Karvan, now in Tiran & Karvan County in Isfahan Province: ** Taqiabad, Dowlatabad and Upper Kord. *Lenjan and Alenjan, now in Lenjan, Falavarjan and
Mobarakeh Mobarakeh () is a city in the Central District of Mobarakeh County, Isfahan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. Demographics Population At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was ...
counties in Isfahan Province: ** Khansarak, Kelisan,
Mehregan Mehregan () or Jashn-e Mehr ( ''Mithra Festival'') is a Zoroastrianism, Zoroastrian and Iranian peoples, Iranian festival celebrated to honor the yazata Mithra (), which is responsible for friendship, affection and love. Name "Mehregan" is ...
, Pelart, Semsan, Kaleh Masih, Garkan,
Zudan Zudan (, also Romanized as Zūdān; in ) is a village in Garkan Rural District, Garkan-e Jonubi District, Mobarakeh County, Isfahan Province, Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a coun ...
,
Barchan A barchan or barkhan dune (from Kazakh бархан ) is a crescent-shaped dune. Russian naturalist Alexander von Middendorf introduced the term in 1881, working from the occurrence of barchans in Turkestan and in other inland desert regi ...
, Jushan, Bondart, Koruj, Zazeran, Kapashan and Mamad. *Charmahal ( hy) or
Gandoman Gandoman () is a city in, and the capital of, Gandoman District in Borujen County, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. It also serves as the administrative center for Gandoman Rural District. Demographics Ethnicity The city is popu ...
now in
Borujen Borujen () is a city in the Central District of Borujen County, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. Demographics Language The city is populated by Persians with a minority of Lu ...
, Kiar, Lordegan and
Shahr-e Kord Shahr-e Kord () is a city in the Central District of Shahrekord County, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county, and the district. It is the largest city in the province, and is 90 km a ...
counties in
Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province () is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. Its capital is the city of Shahr-e Kord. The province lies in the southwest of the country, with an area of 16,332 square kilometers. The province was classified as p ...
: ** Vastegan ( fa), Geshnigan ( fa), Shalamzar,
Gandoman Gandoman () is a city in, and the capital of, Gandoman District in Borujen County, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. It also serves as the administrative center for Gandoman Rural District. Demographics Ethnicity The city is popu ...
, Sirak ( fa), Boldaji ( fa), Azan ( fa), Galugerd ( fa), Konarak ( fa), Aqbolagh ( fa) ( fa), Sinagan ( fa), Mamura ( fa), Mamuka ( fa) ( fa), Sulugan, Gushki ( fa), Ferendigan, Hajiabad ( fa),
Ahmadabad Ahmedabad is the largest city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Ahmedabad or Ahmadabad may also refer to: Pakistan * Ahmedabad, Punjab, a city in Punjab * Ahmedabad, Gilgit Baltistan, a village in Gilgit-Baltistan * Fort Ahmadabad, or Kot Di ...
, Livasian ( fa) and Zorigan. The settlements of Lenjan, Alenjan and Karvan were abandoned in the 18th century. The other settlements depopulated in the middle of the 20th century due to emigration to New Julfa, Teheran or Soviet Armenia (in 1945 and later in 1967). Currently only 1 village (
Zarneh Zarneh () is a city in, and the capital of, Zarneh District of Eyvan County, Ilam province, Iran. As a village, it was the capital of Zarneh Rural District until its capital was transferred to the village of Taran. Demographics Ethnicit ...
) in Peria is totally, and 4 other villages ( Upper Khoygan, Gharghan, Nemagerd and Sangbaran) in Peria and 1 village ( Upper Chanakhchi) in Gharaghan are partially settled by Armenians. Other than these settlements there is an Armenian village near Gorgan ( Qoroq) which is settled by Armenians recently moved from Soviet territory.


Culture

In addition to having their own churches and clubs, Armenians of Iran are one of the few linguistic minorities in Iran with their own schools. Armenians are exempt from national laws barring alcohol consumption and public gender relations in Armenian 'public' spaces, where Muslim citizens are not permitted to enter.


Iranian Armenian dialect

The Armenian language used in Iran holds a unique position in the usage of Armenian in the world, as most Armenians in the Diaspora use
Western Armenian Western Armenian ( ) is one of the two standardized forms of Modern Armenian, the other being Eastern Armenian. It is based mainly on the Istanbul Armenian dialect, as opposed to Eastern Armenian, which is mainly based on the Yerevan Arme ...
. However, Iranian Armenians speak an
Eastern Armenian Eastern Armenian () is one of the two standardized forms of Modern Armenian, the other being Western Armenian. The two standards form a pluricentric language. Eastern Armenian is spoken in Armenia, Russia, as well as Georgia, and by the Armeni ...
dialect that is very close to that used in
Armenia Armenia, officially the Republic of Armenia, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of West Asia. It is a part of the Caucasus region and is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia (country), Georgia to the north and Azerbaijan to ...
,
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...
, and
Russia Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
. Iranian Armenians speak this dialect due in part to the fact that in 1604 much of the Armenian population in Nakhchivan, which used the eastern dialect, was displaced and sent to
Isfahan Isfahan or Esfahan ( ) is a city in the Central District (Isfahan County), Central District of Isfahan County, Isfahan province, Iran. It is the capital of the province, the county, and the district. It is located south of Tehran. The city ...
by Shah Abbas. This also allowed for an older version to be preserved which uses
classical Armenian orthography Classical Armenian orthography, traditional orthography or Mashtotsian orthography ( in classical orthography and in reformed orthography, ''Hayereni tasagan ughakrutyun''), is the orthography that was developed by Mesrop Mashtots in the 5th centu ...
known as "Mashtotsian orthography" and spelling, whereas almost all other Eastern Armenian users (especially in the former Soviet Union) have adopted the
reformed Armenian orthography The Armenian orthography reform occurred between 1922 and 1924 in Soviet Armenia and was partially revised in 1940. Its main features "were the neutralization of classical, etymological writing and the adjustment of phonetic realization and writing ...
which was applied in
Soviet Armenia The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (ArSSR), also known as Soviet Armenia, or simply Armenia, was one of the Republics of the Soviet Union, constituent republics of the Soviet Union, located in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Soviet Armenia ...
in the 1920s and continues in the present Republic of Armenia. This makes the Armenian language used in Iran and in the Armenian-Iranian media and publications unique, applying elements of both major Armenian language branches (pronunciation, grammar and language structure of
Eastern Armenian Eastern Armenian () is one of the two standardized forms of Modern Armenian, the other being Western Armenian. The two standards form a pluricentric language. Eastern Armenian is spoken in Armenia, Russia, as well as Georgia, and by the Armeni ...
and the spelling system of
Western Armenian Western Armenian ( ) is one of the two standardized forms of Modern Armenian, the other being Eastern Armenian. It is based mainly on the Istanbul Armenian dialect, as opposed to Eastern Armenian, which is mainly based on the Yerevan Arme ...
). The Armenian dialects of Iran are referred to collectively in Armenian as ''Persian Armenian'' or ''Parskahayeren'' (պարսկահայերէն, պարսկահայերեն), or less commonly as ''Iranian Armenian'' or ''Iranahayeren'' (իրանահայերէն, իրանահայերեն). The modern koine spoken in Tehran serves as the prestige dialect, although many historic varieties existed in Iranian Azerbaijan, Central Iran, Isfahan province, the New Julfa district in Isfahan, Kurdistan, Khorasan, and Khuzestan, some of which have persisted in their respective communities. Iranian Armenian dialects are distinguished phonologically from other Eastern Armenian varieties by the widespread pronunciation of the retroflex approximant ⟨ɻ⟩ for ր, which sounds similar to the American English alveolar approximant ⟨ɹ⟩, while Armenian dialects outside of Iran pronounce it as a flap ⟨ɾ⟩. Many dialects also use a low front vowel as a marginal phoneme ⟨æ⟩, primarily in loanwords from
Persian Persian may refer to: * People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language ** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples ** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...
, but also in some native Armenian words such as ''mæt'' "one; a bit; for a moment" from մի հատ ''mi hat''. There are also many calques from Persian, particularly in cultural phraseology and in compound verbs (e.g. պատճառ ելնել ''patčaṙ elnel'' from باعث شدن ''bā'es ⁠šodan'' “to result in; to cause”).


See also

*
Armenia–Iran relations Bilateral relations exist between Armenia and Iran. Despite religious and ideological differences, relations between the two states remain extensively cordial and both are strategic partners in the region. Armenia and Iran are both neighbouring ...
,
Satrapy of Armenia The Satrapy of Armenia ( Old Persian: 𐎠𐎼𐎷𐎡𐎴 or 𐎠𐎼𐎷𐎡𐎴𐎹 ), a region controlled by the Orontid dynasty (570–201 BC), was one of the satrapies of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BC that later became an ...
,
Battle of Avarayr The Battle of Avarayr () was fought on 26 May 451 on the Avarayr Plain in Vaspurakan between a Christian Armenian army under Vardan Mamikonian and Sassanid Persia. It is considered one of the first battles in defense of the Christian faith. ...
,
Persian Armenia Sasanian Armenia, also known as Persian Armenia and Persarmenia ( – ''Parskahayastan''), may either refer to the periods in which Armenia ( – ''Armin'') was under the suzerainty of the Sasanian Empire or specifically to the parts of Armeni ...
,
Marzpanate Armenia Sasanian Armenia, also known as Persian Armenia and Persarmenia ( – ''Parskahayastan''), may either refer to the periods in which Armenia ( – ''Armin'') was under the suzerainty of the Sasanian Empire or specifically to the parts of Armeni ...
,
Arsacid dynasty of Armenia The Arsacid dynasty, called the Arshakuni () in Armenian, ruled the Kingdom of Armenia (with some interruptions) from 12 to 428 AD. The dynasty was a branch of the Arsacid dynasty of Parthia. Arsacid kings reigned intermittently throughout the ...
, Armenians in the Persianate, Iranian Armenia * Ethnic minorities in Iran, Christians in Iran *
List of Armenian churches in Iran This is a list of Armenian churches in Iran. Today there are more about 200 Armenian temples in modern Iran territory. Tehran New Julfa, Isfahan Northern Iran West Azerbaijan Salmas Urmia Khoy Maku, Iran, Maku Miandoab East ...
* Monasteries: Monastery of St. Thaddeus, Monastery of St. Stephen the Protomartyr * Cathedrals: Holy Mother of God Cathedral, All Saviour's Cathedral, St. Sarkis Cathedral * List of Iranian Armenians * Media: Alik,
Arax The Aras is a transboundary river in the Caucasus. It rises in eastern Turkey and flows along the borders between Turkey and Armenia, between Turkey and the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan, between Iran and both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and, fin ...
, Hooys * Sports:
Ararat Football Club The Ararat Football Club, nicknamed the ''Rats'', is an Australian rules football and netball club based in the city of Ararat, Victoria. The football team currently competes in the Wimmera Football League (WFL). History Formed in 1871, Arara ...
, Ararat Basketball Club, Ararat Stadium,
Pan-Armenian Games The Pan-Armenian Games () are a multi-sport event, held between competitors from the Armenian diaspora and Armenia. They consist of various competitions in individual and team sports among the Armenian athletes. It takes place in Yerevan, the cap ...
* Politics: Armenian Revolutionary Federation in Iran * Art: Lilihan carpets and rugs


Notes


References


Sources

* * Yves Bomati and Houchang Nahavandi,''Shah Abbas, Emperor of Persia,1587–1629'', 2017, ed. Ketab Corporation, Los Angeles, , English translation by Azizeh Azodi. * * * *


Further reading

* * Yengimolki, A. (2023). The Emergence of a New Identity: Armenians in Safavid Isfahan. Journal of Religious Minorities under Muslim Rule, 1(2), 161-179. https://doi.org/10.1163/27732142-bja00007


External links


Hamaynk: Iranian Armenian News Network

"Iranian Armenians" BBC Persian

Alik, Armenian daily in Iran

Arax Armenian weekly in Iran

Hooys Armenian Biweekly
{{Armenian diaspora
Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...
Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...
Armenians Armenians (, ) are an ethnic group indigenous to the Armenian highlands of West Asia.Robert Hewsen, Hewsen, Robert H. "The Geography of Armenia" in ''The Armenian People From Ancient to Modern Times Volume I: The Dynastic Periods: From Antiq ...
Ethnic groups in the Middle East