As a result of the sharp change in “Georgian Dream’s” policy in recent years and the establishment of an authoritarian character, we are seeing a political affiliation with Iran. It is obvious that “Georgian Dream” is trying to use an authoritarian system because this way it can gain the support of a certain number of people against the background of political messages coming from Iran, which we see in election results. This is a party interest, – international relations specialist and advisor to the party “First Georgia,” Giorgi Tumasyan, stated on “PalitraNews” program “Day’s Newsroom” while assessing Georgia-Iran relations, against the background of the news that Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili will attend the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to Tumasyan, Iranian influence on Georgian citizens themselves, especially in Kvemo Kartli, has increased sharply, and in this context, not attending the funeral ceremony could even become a matter of national security.

“The reality that has emerged in our country, for example in Kvemo Kartli, where Iranian influence has grown incredibly on our own citizens, is all the result of ‘Georgian Dream’s’ policy. While they were chasing young boys and girls in Tbilisi for standing on the sidewalk, they practically contributed to the incredible growth of Iranian influence in Kvemo Kartli. Accordingly, there are real risks if we do not attend, but this is a different and much more complex problem of national security. First of all, this problem of Iranian influence must be resolved. Iran naturally has influence over Shia citizens in any point of the world, as it sees and declares itself as the ideological center of Shia. Against this background, ‘Georgian Dream’ does not hinder these influences because this is another mechanism of influence on its own citizens. ‘Georgian Dream’ does not hinder the growth of Russian influence, Chinese influence, or that of many other countries. It is clear that ‘Georgian Dream’ is trying to use an authoritarian system because this way it can receive the support of a certain number of people against the background of political messages coming from Iran, which we see in election results. This is a party interest, not a state interest. This is an authoritarian interest, because authoritarian countries in general are accustomed to agreements and trading with each other,” Tumasyan stated.

At the same time, according to Tumasyan, “Georgian Dream” is trying to justify attending the funeral ceremony of Iran’s Supreme Leader by citing the regional context, saying that the leaders of Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan will also be there. However, the international relations specialist cites two counter-arguments, the main one being that Georgia has always been considered a close ally of Washington in the region.

“Government propaganda assesses this in the context that representatives of Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan are also going to Iran for this event, and accordingly, Georgia is also participating in that logic. There is one serious problem in that logic – unlike those countries, Georgia does not have a land border with Iran, and Georgia has always been much further from Iran’s internal and foreign political processes. This was evidenced by our very close ties with Washington and also with Israel.

The counter-argument that Georgia is pursuing a policy similar to that of neighboring countries will, of course, be unacceptable to Washington, because Georgia has always been associated as Washington’s closest ally in the region, despite Turkey’s NATO membership. Therefore, Washington will definitely continue a systemic approach to this issue regarding Georgia. This will be yet another confirmation that Georgia has moved to the ideological wing of the opponents of the United States,” Tumasyan stated.

When asked whether going to Iran now, against the background that the United States sets the review of relations with Iran as one of the main conditions for resetting relations with Georgia, is the answer to the question of whether “Georgian Dream” chooses the US or Iran, Tumasyan noted that “Georgian Dream” is actually choosing China, which has military-political ties with Iran.

“‘Georgian Dream’ is actually choosing China. Prime Minister Kobakhidze says that China is the model by which Georgia should develop, and Iran is indeed China’s ally in the region. They have military-political ties, including arms supplies that were taking place even before the start of the war. China, Russia, and Iran fit into one contour. China and Russia have an alliance document, as do China and Iran, and also Iran and Russia. This triangle is natural. Where is ‘Georgian Dream’s’ multivector policy?! They have literally destroyed relations with the European Union. They use terms practically bordering on hostility against Brussels. The German Ambassador has now left Georgia – how was he seen off? In a completely un-Georgian manner with all cultural phenomena. Trust with the United States has been seriously damaged. Accordingly, ‘Georgian Dream’s’ answer is clear, but Bidzina Ivanishvili intended to use the Middle Corridor project to establish his authoritarian rule. ‘Georgian Dream’ presented this as an opportunity to force Washington and Brussels to recognize its regime, as the West is forced to recognize local regimes in more than one country. But they ran into a problem – the route to Central Asia is practically being considered through Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, which will leave Georgia behind these projects. Georgia’s participation in the Middle Corridor is not guaranteed,” Tumasyan stated.