By Areni Panosian
Iran, a historic ally and one of only two direct open borders with Armenia, hosts a rich and longstanding Armenian community. The Iranian Armenian community is historically foundational to the cultural development of Iran, with a lengthy history of artistic, religious, and economic production that dates back centuries. Presently, Iranian Armenians, also referred to as “Barsgahyes” or “Iranahyes” speak a distinctive stem of Eastern Armenian and reside in both Iran and other diasporan nations. Iranian Armenian families and communities internationally uphold the unique cultural practices of Armenians from Iran, mixing the linguistic and culinary traits of both countries. The Armenians are the largest Christian minority currently thriving and existing in Iran, with the Armenian diocese churches and schools still present there, and Armenians were still widely accepted after the Islamic Revolution despite being a minority from a different faith. Following the Iranian Revolution in the 1970s, numerous Armenians immigrated from Iran to Europe, North America, and eventually even repatriated to Armenia, but today, approximately 70,000 Armenians still reside in Iran. Iranian-Armenian families are often tightly knit, representing elements of both Iranian and Armenian culture and food at family gatherings, uniquely meshing the similarities and differences between the two worlds.
Armenians largely made it to Iran under the orders of Safavid Shah Abbas I in 1590, when the highest number of Armenians were deported from Western Armenia to Iran. Abbas had recently made peace with the Ottomans after realizing that his empire was comparatively weak, however in 1603, when his army regained power through the recruitment of Armenian and Georgian soldiers, that peace was broken. He seized back the lands of Tabriz, Nakhichevan, and Julfa, where Armenians embraced this change. After the seizure, the Ottomans attacked again, and because of this Abbas ordered all residents of the Julfa and Nakhichevan regions, most of whom were Armenian, to be deported out. Approximately 300,000 Armenians were removed from these lands, forced to cross the Arax River into Iranian Azerbaijan under harsh conditions, and a large number of Armenians died during this process. The Armenians were relocated to New Julfa in Isfahan, creating an Armenian town where Persians and Armenians alike worked together to develop local industry and culture following the relocation.
The Armenians of Isfahan were often wealthier, working to develop trade and community. Though they were a minority, Armenians were allowed to freely practice Christianity, open schools and churches, and hold trading privileges, thus giving them more rights than other ethnic minorities in the region. New Julfa grew into an incredibly successful epicenter for trade in the region, as Persian trade routes grew increasingly popular with the West. A successful class of wealthy Armenian merchants grew, making the Armenians a financially successful minority in the region. Furthermore, the Armenian church developed in New Julfa under Etchmiadzin, opening schools and churches in the early 17th century where prominent religious figures were educated. In 1606, Vank Cathedral opened in New Julfa under the Armenian Apostolic church. These developments significantly impacted Armenian cultural self-image at the time, as the approximately 100,000 Armenians that resettled in Iran contributed greatly to the developments of the region in its entirety.
The death of Shah Abbas and the fall of the Safavid Empire left room for Ottoman influence and conquerings to grow substantially, and the wealthy Armenians of New Julfa began to suffer throughout the 17th and 18th centuries through wars, land seizures, and economic shifts brought by trade with the Dutch East India Company. Throughout these centuries, Armenian men worked as merchants and farmers and women completed home tasks, and though the Armenian community experienced its peak of success during the Safavid years, they still continued to thrive in Iran for several centuries. The Iranian-Armenian community experienced a second revival during the late 19th century, as more churches, schools, and published historical accounts were founded in the region. Armenians were once again influential figures in commerce and society, remaining a protected minority.
Beginning in 1895, when Ottoman massacres in Western Armenia began, more Armenians began to flee towards Iran, forming branches for several Armenian cultural and political groups such as the Social Democratic Hnchakian Party and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. After the genocide in 1915, thousands of Armenians relocated to Iran once again, continuing to strengthen Armenian cultural and political organizations there. The establishment of the new Pahlavi dynasty in 1924 advanced the Armenian community, allowing Armenians to thrive in industries such as oil, academics, caviar, textiles, mechanics, and more due to their connections with both the West and Russia. For the following decades, nearly 250,000 Armenians resided in Isfahan, Tabriz, and Tehran, where schools, churches, the Armenian press, and athletic and cultural centers continued to thrive and grow. Despite the fact that the Armenian upper class was small, Armenians remained a thriving minority in Iran.
After the Revolution, when thousands of Armenians fled Iran and Ayatollah Khamenei’s restrictive policies began to impact the local community, the prior age of Armenian development saw a decline. However, following the Revolution, Armenians remained a tolerated minority in Iran, being one of the few religious minorities still allowed to practice Christianity under an Islamic regime. To this day, Armenian cultural and educational activities throughout the country are carried out by Hamazkayin, ARS, Homenetmen, AGBU, “Ararat” and “Sipan” Armenian Cultural Organizations, “Charmahal” Union of Armenian scholars, and many more organizations, marking the Iranian-Armenians as a significant modern cultural group in the country. Through the ever-shifting political and social economy of Iran, the Armenian community continues to flourish and maintain a strong base in the country.
Despite forced migrations, political upheavals, and periods of decline, the Iranian-Armenian community has remained resilient, preserving its traditions while playing a vital role in Iran’s cultural and economic life. Today, it stands as a powerful example of how Armenian identity can endure, adapt, and thrive across generations and borders.
