Talk of regime change resonates with Iranians fleeing across border

A steady stream of Iranians are crossing into Armenia by foot, laden with luggage and pets.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcastsRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveTalk of regime change resonates with Iranians fleeing across border2 days agoShareSaveAndrew HardingBBC NewsReporting fromAgarak, Armenia-Iran borderShareSaveBBCA steady stream of Iranians have fled on foot across the border into Armenia in recent days"People want regime change," said Mariam, a pensioner, as she collapsed into the back of a taxi with her husband.

The couple had just dragged their heavy suitcases across a bridge over the fast-flowing Aras River that marks Iran's remote northern border with the small nation of Armenia, in the southern Caucasus region.

"I've walked a long way and I'm tired. The mood in Iran is not so good, but not so bad either. Of course, people are worried, but life continues. Supermarkets, shops, banks all work.

She said that Israel and the US wanted "regime change... but I don't know if they'll succeed, or whether the religious fanatics (in Tehran) will hold their ground. We will see."

The border point offers a small window into Iran itself, at a time when the internet there is disrupted, and most foreign journalists are banned.