Georgia’s foreign office clarifies deputy Minister’s visit to Iranian Embassy amid Israeli concern

Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday clarified the nature of a recent visit by Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandre Khvtisiashvili to the Iranian Embassy in Tbilisi, following criticism from Israel.

The Ministry confirmed that the visit was made in response to an official request from the Iranian Embassy to sign a book of condolences, opened to honour Iranian citizens who were recently killed. The gesture, the Ministry claimed, was carried out in line with diplomatic protocol.

“On June 26, 2025, the Iranian Embassy sent an official note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the opening of a book of condolences,” the Ministry said in a statement. “Accordingly, a corresponding entry was made in the book opened in Tbilisi regarding the deaths of Iranian citizens.”

The visit by Deputy Minister Khvtisiashvili has drawn criticism from the Israeli Embassy in Georgia, which labelled the participation in the condolence event “morally wrong.” The Iranian Embassy, in contrast, said that the Deputy Minister had not only signed the condolence book but also expressed solidarity with Iran during a gathering held at the mission.

Earlier, on June 13, the Georgian Foreign Ministry released a statement expressing concern over rising tensions in the Middle East. “We are deeply concerned about the growing tension in the Middle East, which poses a threat to regional security,” the statement read. “We particularly emphasize the importance of diplomatic efforts to ensure de-escalation and stability.”