Armenians in Iran

Historically located to the northwest of Iran and east of Turkey, Armenia has been the focus of many military campaigns due to its position as a passageway between Europe and Asia. Rarely masters of their own identity, Armenians have often been reduced to refugees. At such times they often fled into the Iranian-occupied area of Azerbaijan, settling in cities to the west of the Caspian Sea such as Tabriz.

Under Safavid rule, Armenia and most of Transcaucasia would be united under Iranian control, posing a major threat to the Ottomans. The harsh climate and insufficient means of communications to Constantinople from Armenia allowed it to remain in Safavid hands until a peace agreement was signed in 1555 splitting Armenia into a western Ottoman portion and an eastern Iranian portion. During the struggle for territory, each side deported native Armenians into territories under their own control, replacing them with Kurdish populations and disrupting the population balance of Armenia.

In 1590, Shah Abbas the Great saw the deficiency of the Iranian military and signed a second treaty with the Ottomans

relinquishing eastern Armenia and a portion of Iranian Azerbaijan. He broke the treaty 13 years later, appearing as a savior to the Ottoman-oppressed Armenians. The military conquests of 1603 brought several Ottoman lands into Abbas' rule including the area of Julfa, an Armenian town with a successful merchant and trading class. Abbas then deported 25,000 to 30,000 Armenians to Iran and particularly to Isfahan, his new capital, in an attempt to destroy the economic viability of the Armenian region, and to enhance the economy of the capital.

The wealthier Armenians of Julfa were settled on the banks of the Zayandeh-Rud, opposite of Isfahan where they were permitted to build a new settlement called New Julfa. The district was given many rights not afforded to other minorities of the time, including an elected mayor, public religious processions,

and their own churches and courts. Additionally, the population of New Julfa, which was entirely Armenian, was not required to comply with restrictions on clothing or wine that applied to their Muslim neighbors in Isfahan. Soon the population grew to 50,000 and New Julfa was granted trading privileges, which were focused on the silk trade. Trade between Iran and Europe began to center in New Julfa and the town became increasingly wealthy. Armenians were also instrumental in expanding trade with Russia and India while holding a monopoly on silk.

The Armenians of New Julfa formed trading companies that competed with the East India and Muscovy companies and established Western connections that helped secure diplomatic ties for the Shah. Also, ties to the West allowed one prominent Armenian priest to travel to Italy where he learned the art of printing and returned with Iran's first printing press in 1638. The first printed book in Iran was an Armenian translation of the Book of Psalms. This trend continued from the 17th century onward, allowing the Armenians to become one of the key transmitters of western technology to Iran.

As the 20th century approached, 100,000 Armenians lived in Iran. The political turmoil at the turn of the century in Turkey and Russia affected the Armenian community and brought even more refugees into Iran. This is said to have influenced the movement which led to the Constitutional Revolution of 1906.

The Pahlavi Dynasty undertook modernization that greatly benefited the Armenian population and allowed advancement in many sectors including arts and sciences, the oil and caviar industries, and many specialized professions. The population continued to increase by taking in refugees, though increasingly from Russia through World War II. The population reached over 250,000 by the 1970s.

The Armenian community was heavily impacted by the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The country's economic isolation,

combined with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's restrictions,

forced the emigration of nearly 100,000 Armenians. 

Currently,the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran accommodates the Christian Armenian population allowing Armenian schools and social activities, as well as some churches. Under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic, Armenians have two parliamentary deputies in the Majlis, one from the northern part of the country and one representing Armenians in southern Iran, still concentrated in New Julfa.