Armenian analyst comments on U.S. call for citizens to leave Iran

The U.S. State Department has called on American citizens to leave Iran through Armenia or Turkey, a move that comes as President Donald Trump signals possible military action against Tehran.

Armenian political analyst Hakob Badalyan said the warning may be tied to Washington’s deliberations over a limited strike. 

“The call may be part of a decision to strike Iran,” he wrote on Facebook on Tuesday. “The strike could be symbolic, simply to save Trump’s face after his statements.”

Trump has said Iran would face consequences if deaths were confirmed during recent unrest. “There are casualties, that is undeniable,” Badalyan noted, adding that verifying developments inside Iran remains difficult.

Badalyan said that a serious confrontation would be “the most undesirable scenario”, warning the region could become “a powder keg”. He also suggested the advisory might reflect fears of detentions, noting that “Israeli agents could have infiltrated Iran under the guise of U.S. citizens.”

The analyst pointed to the timing of the U.S. warning given a recent phone call between the Russian and Iranian security chiefs pledging to coordinate actions to ensure stability.