Iran-Georgia relations have a rich history of prehistoric ties and several millennia of cultural and deep ties of more than 2,500 years. Georgian-Iranian relations date back to ancient times and empires such as the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanid. Between the 3rd and 7th centuries AD, the two rivals of Iran and Rome (later Byzantium) were present in Georgia.  In periods, Eastern and southern Georgia were under Iranian rule for centuries until the early 19th century. With the Iran-Russia War of 1813 and the Treaty of Gulistan, Iran renounced its claims in favor of Russia in Georgia.

After the collapse of the Tsarist Russian Empire and the Communist Revolution in October 1917, the independent Republic of Georgia was formed in the Caucasus, and Iran also had a very profound impact on the political and social life in the region. With the re-independence of Georgia, the two countries, Iran and Georgia, found the opportunity to establish diplomatic relations on May 15, 1992. The two countries established reciprocal embassies in 1994.Iranian diplomatic relations in the early days of Georgia's independence were low-volume, moderate, and without tension. In the history of relations, the visits of Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze to Iran in 1993, former Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to Georgia in April 1995, Mikheil Saakashvili to Tehran in July 2004, and Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref to Georgia in April 2005 were more prominent.Other bilateral visits by officials continued in the last decade. An increase in high-level and mid-level meetings between Georgian and Iranian officials has marked the past year.

Political and Geopolitical Relations

Over the past year, there has been a noticeable increase in the frequency of messages, meetings, and relations. In January 2024, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Iranian diplomats expressed interest in expanding cooperation.

The two recent visits to Iran by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, which were prompted by the funeral of Ebrahim Raisi and the inauguration of Masoud Pezheskian, are indicative of Tbilisi's efforts to foster more cordial relations with Tehran and a new era in foreign policy. From this perspective,  position of Eurasia-Asia in Georgian foreign policy has become more increased, then Tehran has also gained a better position. From the perspective of the Georgian Prime Minister, an effective and constructive meeting with Masoud Pezheshkian is a new chapter in relations.

Pezeshkian views the development of relations between Iran and Georgia as mutually beneficial for Tehran, Tbilisi, and the region, advocating for the activation of diverse capacities, cooperation, and the expansion of areas of interest for both parties. He considers strengthening interactions and relations with neighboring and regional countries to be a priority of Iran's and his government's foreign policy. The Georgian Prime Minister also considered his government committed to cooperating with Iran to deepen and strengthen relations and pointed out the importance of expanding economic cooperation to enhance political ties further and promote people-to-people interactions and collaboration between the private sectors of Iran and Georgia. In the recent October elections, in which the Georgian Dream Party won 54 percent of the vote,  Pezeshkian sent a congratulatory message to the Georgian Prime Minister for the successful holding of the parliamentary elections in Georgia and the victory of the Georgian Dream Party in these elections.

From Tehran's perspective, a series of coalitions are shaping the new order in the multipolar world. Georgia seems to seek to diversify its foreign policy in a complex East-West geopolitical landscape. Therefore, Georgia’s adherence to EU foreign and security policy decisions has declined. The attractions of ​​independent democracy and non-interference in internal affairs are common to Tehran and Tbilisi. The Georgian Dream Party's approaches of multilateralism, respect for its values, and protection from external influence seem attractive to Tehran.

While differences have shadowed Georgia’s relations with Western partners, Georgia seems more open to establishing closer ties with Iran. According to Maka Botchorishvili, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, serving as a conduit between the West and the East necessitates a careful evaluation of the geopolitical landscape to secure optimal advantages. Tbilisi recently highlighted the opportunities for deepening strategic relations between Georgia and China. In December 2024, Botchorishvili emphasized bilateral and multilateral cooperation through a strategic partnership between Georgia and China.Iran also considers the model of multilateral cooperation between Moscow, Tehran, and Beijing to reduce Washington's geopolitical presence in the region.

While Georgia-Russia diplomatic relations were severed in September 2008 due to the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Iran officially supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and emphasized the importance of respecting international norms and agreements. Levan Davitashvili, First Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia, also thanked Iran for its position in supporting Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Also, while Tbilisi’s main priority now is the reunification of the country and the peaceful restoration of its territorial integrity, the preservation and strengthening of the peaceful resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict. Russia is ready to normalize relations with Tbilisi, which could be beneficial for Tehran and multilateral cooperation. Georgia is at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. It is a significant and strategic country east of the Black Sea. Georgia can establish a connection between Iran and Eastern Europe. Its ports can improve Iran’s relations with Russia and the Black Sea and replace the Turkish route for Iran.

The strategic plans of the government  have become more specific to achieving the set goals. From Bochorishvili’s perspective, ensuring stability and security through a solid, pragmatic, and result-oriented policy and achieving the goals of the Georgian Constitution is possible.

In the meantime, the fact that there are no ideological, political, or historical contradictions between Tehran and Tbilisi is a big chance for their political and geopolitical relationships to grow.

Georgia's foreign policy towards its neighbors is balanced and committed to peace and stability in the region, developing good-neighborly relations between countries, ensuring lasting peace in the area, and diplomatic relations with the Middle East.

Regionalism is considered one of Iran's most important strategies in the field of foreign policy. One of the axes of the Iranian government's foreign policy is positive neighborly relations. From Araghchi's point of view, there are many areas of cooperation between Iran and the region's countries, which, if developed, could lead to regional coalitions.The geopolitical and strategic importance of the South Caucasus for Iran has become more prominent, and Iran is strengthening its position. Also, Iran's national interest requires not eliminating the 44-kilometer border between Armenia and Iran. Tehran even sees opposition to the "Zangezur Corridor" program as a support for relations with Georgia.

Tehran considers any instability in the South Caucasus a threat to its national security. Despite Georgia's reluctance, It continues to support the 3+3 format (Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia plus Iran, Russia, and Turkey) for regional cooperation and has a positive view of long-term multilateral convergence with Georgia and Iran in the region.From Tbilisi’s perspective, unity and flexibility are of particular importance in a complex geopolitical environment. Pezeshkian's strategies for resolving long-term tensions between Iran and the United States likely involve a face-to-face dialogue that prioritizes Iran's national interests and the lifting of sanctions. In another dimension, enhancing military relations, jointly confronting terrorism and extremism emanating from the Middle East, and addressing security concerns can create new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.

Economy and Geoeconomics

Georgia and Iran have signed 47 bilateral agreements so far. These include an air transport agreement, an agreement to encourage and mutually support investment, an agreement to stop double taxation, economic, trade, scientific, and technical cooperation, and trade cooperation. These agreements have set the stage for stronger economic relations between the two countries. Pezeshkian prioritizes deepening economic relations, strengthening trade relations, promoting joint investments, lifting sanctions, improving foreign relations, signing economic and trade agreements, increasing exports and imports, and accessing new technologies.The Pezeshkian government will make efforts to pursue an opportunistic policy to create a "balance" in relations with countries, in line with national interests, economic development, and the need for peace and security in the region and the world, and welcome reducing tensions.

For Georgia, protecting the state’s interests also means efforts, stability, and economic development. Therefore, Iran and Georgia can diversify their economic relations and explore new areas of cooperation such as technology, agriculture, and renewable energy.Regional cooperation initiatives and establishing regional organizations and forums can provide a platform for dialogue and cooperation between the two sides. The use of Georgia’s transport potential and the importance and prospects of joint regional transport and energy projects are also important for Tbilisi.A railway connection from Iran to Georgia may be a vital opportunity. The western route of the North-South International Transport Corridor (INSTC) passes through the South Caucasus. 

The two countries can benefit from the INSTC’s competition. In recent years, the creation of the “Persian Gulf-Black Sea” international multi-purpose transport corridor (connecting Iran to Europe via Georgia and the Black Sea) has been on both sides' agendas.India has also signed a 10-year agreement with Iran on Chabahar, allowing Georgia to facilitate access to South Asian and Middle Eastern markets via Iran.

Iran also has vast hydrocarbon resources. Iran could still become a major gas supplier to Georgia and Eastern Europe. Iran’s resources could help diversify Georgia’s energy sources. Cooperation in electricity trade from Armenia to Georgia is still on the table. A gas transit line from north to south (Russia-Iran) and Georgia would generate $10-12 billion in annual trade. An Iranian community in Georgia can still facilitate trade; Georgia is a popular tourist destination for Iranians. Iran’s historical and cultural attractions could also be attractive to Georgian visitors. Iran could also use Georgia's position to export gas to Europe via the Black Sea. While Georgia's economic growth is good and its foreign trade was 6.6% in the third quarter of 2024, the opportunity for re-exports and joint and mutual investments between the two countries has increased.

Cultural and social ties

Iran has played an important and sometimes decisive role in the history of the Georgian people, and Georgians have made a significant contribution to Iran.The cultural and social ties between Iran and Georgia and the common traditions and values ​​are obvious in evidence from Achaemenid inscriptions, Iranian elements in Georgian art and archaeology, Iranian influence on architecture, language, and culture, Georgian literature, and Georgian writers.

While cooperation with the Georgian diaspora and diasporas will be one of Tbilisi's key priorities, the Iranian community in Georgia and the Georgian diaspora in Iran can play a vital role in strengthening people-to-people contacts.In recent years, the signing of cultural agreements, scientific and academic cooperation, and the presence of Iranian tourists in Georgia are other parts of the bilateral relations between Iran and Georgia in the cultural and civilizational field.

From the perspective of Bahram Amir-Ahmadian, some norms and values, ​​such as a common culture, the existence of more than three thousand common Persian and Georgian words in spoken languages, the existence of each other's minorities in both countries, and many other things, can advance the relations between the two countries towards further cooperation and expansion. Also, the potential for growing religious ties between Iran and the Shiite minority in Georgia, using them in the field of soft power, and revitalizing Iran-Georgia friendship groups and societies can help strengthen relations.

The most important challenges of Iran-Georgia relations

Maintaining stability is of great importance for relations; opponents such as Salome Zourabichvili with iran, the former president of Georgia, believe that the country’s current foreign policy brings it closer to Russia and Iran.According to some Iranian researchers, including Mitra Rahnejat and Hassan Kabiri, the divergence between Georgia and Iran in the years 2000-2016 was primarily due to Georgia's West-centric approach, the ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, the close relations and cooperation between Tbilisi and Tel Aviv, particularly in the security and military fields, and Iran's Caucasian foreign policy.

Strategic partnership with the United States will remain a priority for Tbilisi in the next four years. However, from Tbilisi's perspective, cooperation between Georgia and the West against Iran is not a priority. However, Tehran does not like the United States' increasing influence in the West through increased political and security cooperation with the European Union and NATO. Iran continues to oppose the expansion of NATO’s borders to the east and considers it a direct threat to national security.

External factors also influence relations. Regional instability and ongoing conflicts in the South Caucasus region, the risk of wider tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, geopolitical competition between major powers in the Caucasus region, the risk of a confrontation between Tbilisi and Moscow , the possibility of a change in Iran’s nuclear doctrine, and strong reactions from Iran could weaken Iran-Georgia relations.

In addition to the positive nature of Georgia-Israel relations, the multidimensional tensions between Iran and Israel and their dangers could have negative effects on bilateral relations with Tehran and Israel’s presence in Georgia.

Trade tariffs, economic restrictions, and the lack of proper transportation infrastructure are important in the context of Iran’s prospects and Georgia’s agenda. Georgian institutions are still cautious when dealing with Iran. The economic sanctions imposed on Iran by the West and the threat of secondary sanctions by the United States still hinder Iran’s financial capabilities and further participation in trade and investment between Iran and potential Georgian investors.

The lack of a border with Georgia has also hindered the development of relations between the two countries. As a result, the number of Iranian visitors to Georgia and the number of Iranian immigrants has decreased.

In the first eleven months of 2024, Turkey remained Georgia's main trading partner. Russia, the United States, China, and Germany are in second to fifth place. The annual trade volume between the two countries is considered low compared to Tbilisi’s top trading partners. The country’s trade volume with Iran reached $149.5 million in the first half of 2024.

Outlook

The ups and downs of the two countries' relations have been influenced by factors such as the structure of the international system (Unipolar or multipolar), the rulers and elites of Iran and Georgia, cultural and historical similarities or differences, or norms and values. Setting up a way for high-level political talks, economic interdependence, making regional policies, and being able to deal with disagreements and conflicts are some of the things that will affect Pezeshkian's government's foreign policy toward neighboring regions.

From Tbilisi’s perspective, in the coming years, Georgia’s neighborhood policy will be balanced and based on the principles of protecting territorial integrity and sovereignty, strengthening good neighborly relations, and promoting security and peace in the region. The future of Iran-Georgia relations depends on their ability to overcome these challenges and exploit the existing multidimensional opportunities in the short and medium term. In a more likely scenario, both countries would initially prioritize trade, transportation, and cultural exchange, and relations would develop at a gradual pace. However, reducing the role of external factors in Georgian-Iranian relations could make the relationship multidimensional and strategic.

Author: Farzad Ramezani Bonesh is a writer, senior researcher, and analyst focusing on the Middle East and South Asia. He has written research articles, short analyses, and journalistic pieces in both Persian and English. He has also appeared on international outlets such as Al-Jazeera, RT, and Al-Araby among many others.