Kobakhidze Rejects 'Pro-Iranian' Claims, Disputes Rubio's Account of U.S.-Georgia Talks
By Messenger Staff
Friday, June 5, 2026
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has rejected allegations that the Georgian government is "pro-Iranian" and disputed remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggesting that Georgian officials had asked Washington what would be required to improve bilateral relations.
The comments came after a U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in which Congressman Joe Wilson described the Georgian Dream government as a "pro-Iranian regime," accused it of helping Iran evade sanctions, and characterized it as illegitimate and backed by the Chinese Communist Party. Rubio responded that Wilson was "right" and that the issues he raised reflected existing concerns.
Speaking to journalists on June 4, Kobakhidze denied that Georgian officials had asked the United States what it would take to improve relations.
"We have never asked such a question," he said, adding that neither he nor his colleagues had made such an inquiry. According to Kobakhidze, Georgia's position has been that it is ready to discuss all issues related to restoring the strategic partnership with Washington, suggesting Rubio may have been expressing his own interpretation of previous discussions.
Kobakhidze also dismissed allegations that Georgia has a pro-Iranian orientation and rejected suggestions that Rubio had endorsed Wilson's characterization of the Georgian government.
"What exactly did he agree with, that this is a pro-Iranian government?" Kobakhidze said. "He did not agree with that."
Responding to accusations that Georgia helps Iran evade sanctions, Kobakhidze said exports to Iran account for roughly 0.5% of Georgia's total exports, while imports from Iran make up around 1.5% of total imports.
Referring to Georgia's relations with China and Iran, the prime minister argued that the current U.S. administration is itself seeking deeper engagement with major powers, noting that Washington has expressed interest in improving ties with both China and Russia.
Kobakhidze also dismissed comparisons between Georgia and Iran and criticized both Wilson and Transparency International Georgia Executive Director Eka Gigauri for making such claims.
Commenting on the future of U.S.-Georgia relations, Kobakhidze said Tbilisi remains ready to discuss all aspects of restoring the strategic partnership but insisted that any dialogue should be based on fairness and mutual respect.
"Georgia is not a schoolchild who can be given remedial lessons and told to correct its behavior," Kobakhidze said. "Georgia is a dignified, sovereign state."
Kobakhidze reiterated his long-standing claim that relations with Washington deteriorated under the previous U.S. administration, which he accused of exerting pressure, coercion, and blackmail on Georgia. He argued that damage caused by what he described as unjust treatment could only be repaired through a fair approach.
Despite ongoing tensions, Kobakhidze expressed optimism that efforts to improve relations would ultimately result in the restoration of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
