Tbilisi TV Tower Lit for Iran’s Revolution as Deputy FM Attends Commemoration Event

2026-02-12 - 14:18

Georgian Dream’s deputy foreign minister attended an event marking the 47th anniversary of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, while Tbilisi’s TV tower was illuminated in the colors of the Iranian flag on the night of February 11 to commemorate the anniversary, a move criticized by Israel. The developments come as many in Georgia have voiced support for Iranian protesters following recent deadly crackdowns in Iran. According to the Embassy of Iran in Georgia, the February 11 event in Tbilisi commemorating the Islamic Revolution was attended by Georgian Dream Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia, who recently visited Washington on a working trip. The embassy noted “up to 500” guests attended, including “ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions from various countries, military attachés, prominent figures from the fields of culture, economy, and media, and members of Georgia’s Iranian community.” “At the event, after the national anthems of both countries were played, a video was shown highlighting the achievements of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, as well as opportunities and potential in various fields,” the embassy said, adding that Ambassador Seyed Ali Mojani then spoke about the “successes” Iran’s Islamic Republic has achieved in various sectors over the past 47 years. “He emphasized Iran’s determination to strengthen its position regionally and internationally,” the embassy said, adding, “He also noted the special role the Islamic Republic assigns to diplomacy and negotiations in addressing challenges, and stressed that Iran is fully ready to confront any threats from its adversaries.” The embassy further said Lasha Darsalia “congratulated the people and government of Iran on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution” and noted that “Iran was one of the first countries to officially recognize Georgia’s independence.” “Darsalia emphasized that the Georgian government is ready to continue cooperating with Iran to advance a positive regional agenda,” the embassy added. The embassy statement did not mention it, but the media reported that Anzor Chubinidze, head of Georgia’s Special State Protection Service, also attended the event. Meanwhile, Tbilisi’s TV tower on Mtsatsminda was illuminated in the colors of the Iranian flag. Tbilisi City Hall told Publika that the decision followed a request from the Iranian Embassy to mark “Iran’s national holiday.” Ambassador Seyed Ali Mojani, posting a video of the illuminated tower on Facebook, described the move as “a clear symbol that the respect for today’s Iran is recognized officially and internationally, not in the false reports of certain news networks.” The Embassy of Israel reacted to the illumination of the TV tower in a Facebook statement on February 12, writing, “While Iran’s murderous, terror-supporting regime slaughters thousands in the streets of its cities, suppresses its own citizens, and is actively engaged in terror in the region and worldwide, in Tbilisi they choose to celebrate the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran with that very regime by lighting the Mtatsminda TV tower in the colors of its flag.” “What message is Tbilisi sending to the region, the world, and to the citizens of Iran who have long been striving for freedom and democracy?” the Israeli embassy added. Georgian Dream officials have largely remained silent on the January unrest in Iran. Disputed Parliament Vice Speaker Gia Volski said on January 19, “It is not in our interest for Iran to be upended because that would trigger a chain of destabilization stretching as far as the Persian Gulf...There are huge issues that could set off a chain of events in which Georgia could find itself involved against its will.” Volski added that the ruling party was “being pressed” by the opposition to make stronger statements, which he said could harm Georgia. Iranians living in Georgia and some Georgians held several nightly protests outside the Iranian Embassy in Tbilisi amid unrest in Iran to show support for demonstrators and denounce Tehran’s deadly crackdown. Also Read: 02/07/2025 – GD Deputy Foreign Minister Attends Memorial Event at Iranian Embassy 30/07/2024 – PM Kobakhidze Meets President Pezeshkian During Visit to Iran to Attend President’s Inauguration