During the Eastern Front of World War II, Ivanyan fought in Crimea, Transcarpathia, and Czechoslovakia.

Ivanyan than became the 280th Guards Tank Regiment commander from 1952 to 1955, as part of the Soviet forces stationed in the German Democratic Republic.

Ivanyan made a significant contribution to the formation of the army structures and services of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, especially in artillery, creating the training of military units, centers, shooting ranges, and polygons.

He managed a number of military operations to suppress the enemy firing points, particularly in areas adjacent to Stepanakert territories and Martuni Region of Nagorno Karabakh.

On the tenth anniversary of the proclamation of Nagorno-Karabakh's independence, a statue of Ivanyan was unveiled in Stepanakert.

[1] An event dedicated to the 90th birthday of Ivanyan took place at the Stepanakert Youth and Culture Palace on 20 December 2010, and was attended by the Nagorno-Karabakh President Bako Sahakyan, Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Prime Minister Arayik Harutyunyan, Chairman of the National Assembly Ashot Ghulian, and other officials.