Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has sent an official congratulatory message to Mojtaba Khamenei following his election as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to a statement published on the website of the Government Administration of Georgia.
In the message, Kobakhidze expressed congratulations on behalf of the Georgian government and highlighted the importance of bilateral relations between the two countries.
“On behalf of the Government of Georgia, I congratulate you on your election as Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Georgia attaches great importance to the partnership relations between our two countries and peoples, based on mutual respect. I wish the Iranian people peace and prosperity,” the message reads.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was recently elected to Iran’s highest political and religious position following a turbulent period in the country’s leadership. The Supreme Leader holds ultimate authority over Iran’s political system, including control of the armed forces, the judiciary, and key state institutions.
The transition of power in Tehran comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and ongoing military confrontations involving Iran and several regional actors. The leadership change followed the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in recent strikes that dramatically escalated the regional crisis.
Georgia maintains diplomatic relations with Iran and has historically sought to balance pragmatic economic and political engagement with Tehran while preserving its strategic partnerships with Western allies. The two countries cooperate in areas such as trade, transportation, and regional connectivity.
Kobakhidze’s message places Georgia among the foreign leaders who have formally acknowledged the leadership transition in Iran.
