The US Embassy in Yerevan has temporarily suspended some visa-related services as a result of events in the Middle East, the US Embassy in Armenia reports.

The text of the statement has also been posted in Persian, which allows us to assume that it is about Iranian citizens. In recent years, many citizens of that country have received US visas in Yerevan.

It is also noted that the procedures for entering the embassy have also been changed.

The Consular Section in Yerevan would like to inform all U.S. visa applicants about a change in Embassy entry procedures when visiting the Consular section, which reads:

“Large personal bags will no longer be permitted. You must plan on not having any item larger than a handbag with you when visiting the U.S. Embassy.  If you have larger items, you will not be permitted to enter the Embassy, you will not be able to store your items with guards, or leave them at the guard shack at the Embassy hill top.

Please plan accordingly to facilitate our services to you.”

Notably, on 3 January, the US bombing of Baghdad airport killed Iranian General Sulaiman Jassem Sulaiman Ali Abo Ghaith, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The attack was on the order of the US President Donald Trump, Congress was not informed in advance of the attack. On the night of 8 January, Iran launched missiles at the US military bases in al-Assad and Erbil, Iraq. The Pentagon has announced that Iran has fired at least 12 missiles.